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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-04-11 BOWC MIN Stillwater, Minnesota, April 11, 2019 Regular Meeting: The regular meeting of the Board of Water Commissioners was held on Thursday April 11, 2019, at 8:00 A.M. President Speedling and Commissioner Vania present, Commissioner Jensen via phone with President Speedling presiding. Also present was Jim Tibbetts, and Council Member Polehna. On motion of President Speedling, duly seconded by Commissioner Vania, all voting "Aye", the Agenda was accepted as presented. On motion of Commissioner Vania, duly seconded by President Speedling, all voting "Aye", the minutes of the March 21, 2019 regular meeting were read and approved as written. On motion of President Speedling, duly seconded by Commissioner Vania, all voting "Aye", Resolution No. 1529 was approved for payment. Jim reported to the Board that there were four watermain breaks, Third Street S. & Pine Street W., Burlington St. E. & Fifth Avenue S., 726 Linden Street W. and 1118 Linden Street W. and also one service leak at 319 Hickory Street W. Manager Benson informed the Board that the cost to complete the Wellhead Protection Plan has increased by $10,000.00 after talking with Matt Ellingson with TKDA. The additional area of the wellhead protection area and the verification of the potential contaminant sources in the larger area took longer than anticipated. Matt is estimating the new limit of $74,000.00 will cover everything including the final submission to the Minnesota Department of Health in May. After discussion, on motion of Commissioner Vania, duly seconded by President Speedling, all voting "Aye", the Wellhead Protection Plan will be increase by $10,000.00. Manager Benson asked the Board for approval to start the process on the Pressure Reducing Valve at the South East Corner of Fourth Street N. and Wilkins St W.; this was in the 2019 Capital Outlay Budget, therefore on motion of President Speedling, duly seconded by Commissioner Vania, all voting "Aye", the Pressure Reducing Valve was approved, not to exceed a total cost of $134,000.00. Manager Benson explained to the Board that there is $255,000.00 in the 2020 Capital Outlay Budget for the installation of a back-up generator at Well #9 and after talking with Matt Ellingson with TKDA that amount did not include all the engineering fees, there would be an additional fee of $60,000.00. After much discussion, on motion of Commissioner Vania, duly seconded by President Speedling, all voting "Aye" TKDA will be retained for their engineering services not to exceed a total cost of 60,000.00 and they may start the engineering work in 2019. Manager Benson informed the Board that there is $11,000.00 in the 2019 Capital Outlay Budget for Bee Hive; this is our new Asset Management Program in which the Water Department is working with city staff. After discussion, on motion of Commissioner Vania, duly seconded by President Speedling, all voting "Aye", the $11,000.00 for Bee Hive was approved. James McGath has taken the lead on the Asset Management Program; he will be working with the city staff moving forward, they are currently working on underground assets, James also provided City of Stillwater IT Manager Rose Holman with a list of our above ground assets for review by Bee Hive also Commissioner Vania will review current underground assets with James. Manager Benson provided the Board with the Leak Survey Proposal from Water Conservation Service Inc. for $5,200.00 Manager Benson explained there may be a slight increase for additional hydrants from the new construction. On motion of President Speedling, duly seconded by Commissioner Vania, all voting "Aye" the $5,200.00 was approved; If there is additional cost for the new hydrants, Manager Benson will bring this back to the Board. 1. Accounts receivable as of March 31, 2019 was $51,081.33 with the actual amount being $93,044.39; this is $19,000.00 less that last years. 2. Commissioner Jensen informed the Board that she will be meeting with Dan Gustafson with Sixteen Wins to follow up on his progress from our last meeting also her niece Alisha has volunteered to take pictures for the website and she will work with Dan on the pictures he will need. Manager Benson informed the Board that after talking with City of Stillwater Attorney Land they will not need a photo release form; we will only work with businesses that want their pictures on our website. Manager Benson will provide Commissioner Jensen with "A" list of the top ten users. Commissioner Jensen will also check out the amount of savings the hospital had with their smart irrigation controller. 3. Manager Benson informed the Board that Commissioner Jensen’s term on the Board will expire June 30, 2019; Karen has expressed her willingness to service another three-year term. Manager Benson informed the Board that is was recommended by the City Clerk Beth Wolf to follow the same process the City of Stillwater uses with their Board. The opening will be posted and President Speedling and Council Member Polehna will interview applicants and after discussion the Board will forward their recommendation to the City Council for appointment. 4. Manager Benson informed the Board that Safe Water Commission has started surveying the City for residential irrigation systems; they have signs on their vehicles and will be wearing name badges. 5. Manager Benson updated the Board on the Contested Case Hearing; the engineering fees are just under $22,000.00. There should be a decision made by the end of April; the Board will proceed as directed by their attorney on whether or not they need to move forward with the Contested Case Hearing. 6. Manager Benson brought up the information for the next City Council Meeting which will be; Bee Hive, Smart Meters and Wellhead Protection, this will be discussed before the next Council Meeting, Commissioner Jensen also brought up following the progress with the City of Stillwater on the Green Step Program because there are a couple of items that have to do with water supply and she wants to make sure we are involved. Council Member Polehna stated that the new Code Enforcement Officer will be in charge of that. 7. Manager Benson provided the Board with a copy of the cost share agreement from Brown’s Creek Watershed District; this will be forwarded to our attorney for review. 8. Rick Ellis with Safe Water Commissioner attended the Board Meeting for a follow-up discussion on the Smart Controller Program and contract approval. After discussion, Manager Benson will forward the contract to our Attorney Land for review; this will be brought back to the May 16, 2019 Board Meeting. There being no further business, on motion of Commissioner Vania, duly seconded by Commissioner Jensen all voting "Aye", the meeting was adjourned. __________________________ Steve Speedling, President ATTEST: __________________________ Robert G. Benson, Secretary