HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-08-10 BOWC MIN
Stillwater, Minnesota August 10, 2017
Regular Meeting:
The regular meeting of the Board of Water Commissioners was held on Thursday
August 10, 2017 at 8:00 A.M.
All Commissioners were present, with President Speedling presiding. Also present was
Jim Tibbetts, Council Member Menikheim.
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 Commissioner Jensen, all voting
“Aye, the minutes of the July 13, 2017 regular meeting were read and approved as
written.
On motion of President Speedling, duly seconded by Commissioner Vania, all voting
“Aye”, Resolution No.1505 was approved for payment.
Jim reported to the Board that they are still working with the city on the street project,
locating for the mill and overlay, the renewal of services and hydrant replacement has
been completed. Andy and James are working on chemical line replacement at different
pumphouses and the new truck has been ordered but we have not been notified of the
arrival date.
President Speedling brought up Kathy Newman’s October 2016 water bill that was
tabled at the July meeting. Manager Benson gave the Board a recap of the disputed
usage. Kathy went thru 477,000 gallons in a six week period from July 22, 2016 to
September 6, 2016. Kathy stated that nothing had changed at her house, the meter was
data logged and tested by the Water Department and found to read accurate. At the July
meeting Kathy stated that there was an error with the meter reading and she would pay
half of the bill to make it go away, at that time it was tabled until the August 10, 2017
Board Meeting. After discussion, on motion of Commissioner Vania, duly seconded by
President Speedling, all voting “Aye”, Manager Benson will work with Dave Magnuson
to have a letter drafted and sent to Kathy Newman from Magnuson Law Firm stating the
balance of $1,142.40 will be payable over the next eight months at a rate of $150.00 per
month with no penalties, if not paid in full after eight months the balance will be assessed
to her taxes thru the City of Stillwater with an interest rate to be set by Washington
County.
On motion of President Speedling, duly seconded by Commissioner Vania, all voting
“Aye”, the Board will adjourn to a closed session for Labor Negotiations Pursuant to
Minnesota Statutes 13D.03.
The regular meeting of the Board of Water Commissioners reconvened after the closed
session meeting. All Commissioners were present, with President Speedling presiding.
Based on information provided by Flaherty & Hood, on motion of Commissioner Vania,
duly seconded by President Speedling, all voting “Aye” Section 4, Recommended
Implementation Actions were accepted as written.
Section 4. Recommended Implementations Actions
We recommend that the Water Board take the following actions related to this report:
1. Approve revised proposed titles in section 3.
2. Approve recommended job evaluation points in section 3.
3. Place the positions in the appropriate pay grade in the new base pay structure.
4. Notify incumbent employees of these actions.
The following items were discussed, with no action taken:
1. Accounts receivable balance as of July 31, 2017 was $273,773.49 with the actual
amount being $305,733.07; this is $10,000.00 less than last years.
2. Manager Benson updated the Board on the watermain loop thru the golf course.
The watermain has been installed with little disruption to the golf course, once
Poplar Street is blacktopped the watermain will be flushed and put into service.
3. Commissioner Jensen provided the Board with the first draft of the (infographic)
for the website, the Board was very impressed. After discussion, Commissioner
Jensen will continue working on the infographic with her niece who will be
making a presentation to the Board in the future.
4. Commissioner Jensen asked to have Dave Magnuson attend the next meeting to
explain how the Water Department and the Board was created and their reporting
structure so she can clearly explain it to anyone who may inquire to fully
understand it. After discussion, Manager Benson will invite Dave Magnuson to
the September 6, 2017 Board Meeting.
5. Commissioner Vania provided the Board with a study completed by Water
Finance Research Foundation on all work management systems like Cartegraph,
this is the company that the City of Stillwater is currently working with. These
companies need to be integrateable with Esri GIS: Geodatbase Management.
Commissioner Vania also provide the Board with a watermain break summary
over the last five years that he has been working on with Manager Benson. This
will be part of the work management system in the future.
6. Manager Benson updated the Board on the Wellhead Protection Plan, LGB plans
on having the model completed by the end of August; he will update the Board
when he receives the information.
7. Manager Benson brought up turning the water on after it has been shut-off for
non-payment, this was discussed at the July 2017 Board Meeting. After much
discussion, there will be new rates and turn on times as follows:
Water will only be turned back on between 8:00 A.M. – 8:00 P.M. Between the
hours of 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., the charge will be $35.00, from 4:00 P.M. to
8:00 P.M. the charge will be $110.00 in addition to the full amount of the bill.
This will be brought back to the September Meeting.
There being no further business, on motion of President Speedling, duly seconded by
Commissioner Vania, all voting “Aye”, the meeting was adjourned.
Attest: Secretary