HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-03-09 BOWC MIN
Stillwater, Minnesota March 9, 2015
Regular Meeting:
The regular meeting of the Board of Water Commissioners was held on Monday March
9, 2015 at 8:30 A.M.
All Commissioners were present, with President Speedling presiding. Also present was
Council Member Menikheim.
On motion of President Speedling, duly seconded by Commissioner Nyberg, 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 February 12, 2015 regular meeting were read and approved as
written.
On motion of Commissioner Nyberg, duly seconded by Commissioner Vania, all voting
“Aye”, Resolution No.1474 was approved for payment.
Manager Benson reported to the Board that there were three frozen services, one service
leak and one watermain break that all have been repaired. They are currently working on
another watermain break and the maintenance on the pumphouses is complete.
Manager Benson informed the Board that he was contacted by Shawn Sanders, City of
Stillwater Public Works Director about splitting the cost of inspecting the tunnel from the
Water Department to City Hall before the mill and overlay project on Fourth St N. this
year. The cost would be $2,270.00, therefore after discussion, on motion of
Commissioner Vania, duly seconded by President Speedling, all voting “Aye”, the Board
will split the cost of the tunnel inspection.
Commissioner Vania updated the Board on the Washington County Municipal Water
Coalition Water Supply Feasibility Assessment and after discussion, on motion of
Commissioner Vania, duly seconded by Commissioner Nyberg, all voting “Aye”, the
Board will join the Washington County Municipal Water Coalition (WCMWC) with
Commissioner Vania representing the Board of Water Commissioners in their quarterly
meetings and Manager Benson will be part of the technical advisory committee (TAC)
which meets once a month. Manager Benson will supply infrastructure data to Short,
Elliott and Hendrickson (S.E.H.) to complete the feasibility study. The Board will also
be open to communicating with other communities and their department heads if needed
in the future if they decide to participate.
Manager Benson informed the Board that three service lines froze since the last meeting
in which two of the customers asked to have the Board pay for the thawing of their
service line. After discussion, on motion of President Speedling, duly seconded by
Commissioner Vania, all voting “Aye, the Board will pay for thawing at 1439 Lydia
Circle because they called prior to their service freezing asking if they should run their
water and Manager Benson told them they would not have to run their water but their
service froze over the weekend.
Manager Benson brought up the rate study and informed the Board that the rate study
information was sent to City Clerk Diane Ward and she forwarded it to the City Council
prior to their March 3, 2015 Council Meeting. This was information only, as the Board
would not be attending the Council Meeting. After discussion, on motion of President
Speedling, duly seconded by Commissioner Vania, all voting “Aye”, the water rates will
be increased effective April 1, 2015. The rates are as follows:
New Water Rate Schedule:
Residential Accounts:
• 0 – 10,000 gallons per quarter = $20.00
• Above 10,000 gallons per winter quarter at $2.20 per 1,000 gallons.
• Above 10,000 gallons per summer quarter at $2.40 per 1,000 gallons.
• Minnesota Department of Health Fee $1.60 per quarter. (Current Fee May Change)
Commercial Accounts:
• $2.20 per 1,000 gallons used during the months of January, February, March, April,
November and December.
• $2.40 per 1,000 gallons used during the months of May, June, July, August,
September and October.
• Commercial Accounts will be billed monthly.
• Minnesota Department of Health Fee $1.60 per quarter (Current Fee May Change)
The following items were discussed, with no action taken:
1. Accounts receivable balance as of February 28, 2015 was $83,715.90 with the
actual amount being $164,656.96; this is $52,000.00 less than last year.
2. Manager Benson talked to the Board about upgrading his cell phone to a smart
phone, and after discussion, he was instructed to find out what the City provides
for their department heads and staff, research what type of phone they would need
and bring the information back to the Board.
3. After discussion on frozen services, Manager Benson was instructed to create a
policy and bring it back to the Board.
4. Manager Benson updated the Board on the audit for 2014.
5. Manager Benson informed the Board that we are being charged a monthly service
fee through US Bank for our checking account. He also received a call from US
Bank stating that they are discontinuing one of our routing numbers which
resulted in a re-order of checks so he could pay the monthly bills. Manager
Benson will be looking for a new bank and update the Board at the next meeting.
6. The Thursday April 9, 2015 meeting has been rescheduled to Thursday April 16,
2015 at 10:30 A.M. The Board has invited new City Administrator Tom McCarty
to attend the meeting and meet staff. Lunch will be provided after the meeting
There being no further business, on motion of President Speedling, duly seconded by
Commissioner Nyberg, all voting “Aye”, the meeting was adjourned.
Attest: Secretary