HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-10-12 BOWC MIN
Stillwater, Minnesota October 12, 2017
Regular Meeting:
The regular meeting of the Board of Water Commissioners was held on Thursday
October 12, 2017 at 8:00 A.M.
All Commissioners were present, with President Speedling presiding. Also present was
Jim Tibbetts, Council Member Menikheim was absent.
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 September 6, 2017 regular meeting were read and approved as
written.
On motion of President Speedling, duly seconded by Commissioner Vania, all voting
“Aye”, Resolution No.1507 was approved for payment.
Jim reported to the Board that they are still flushing hydrants and should be completed in
a couple of weeks, and the Fire Department should be done shortly, they help every year
and this is greatly appreciated. The street projects are wrapping up and they are getting
everything ready for the final lift; all will be completed by late fall. There is a possible
leak at 1117 Fourth St. N. so Jim will be contacting the leak detection company to follow
up.
Manager Benson informed the Board of the changes to the health insurance for 2018 the
information was provided by the City of Stillwater’s Labor Management Insurance Work
Group that he and John Crimmins have been attending. After discussion, on motion of
Commissioner Vania, duly seconded by President Speedling, all voting “Aye” the current
Triple Gold Plan will be replaced with three options, Gold Group Value Network
(GGVN), Silver Group Value Network (SGVA) and the High Deductible Plan (HDHP).
The following items were discussed, with no action taken:
1. Accounts receivable balance as of September 30, 2017 was $40,577.42 with the
actual amount being $81,287.79; this is $29,000.00 less than last years.
2. Dave Magnuson, Attorney for the City of Stillwater provided the Board with the
history of the Stillwater Water Department with a copy of the first document
dated 1880; this was an act of legislation that permitted the grant of a franchise to
a private company to establish the Waterworks for a period of 30 years, at the end
of the 30 year period the City had an option to buy the Waterworks Company. In
1910 a law was passed that allowed City’s to establish their own charter without
going to the legislature. There is also a state law that gave cities of a certain size
the authority to establish Water Boards in March of 1911, around this time the
City of Stillwater issued a bond and bought the Waterworks from the Stillwater
Water Company. The Board of Water Commissioners is currently being run
similar to the law of 1911, Chapter 21-486. The City of Stillwater was authorized
and empowered to create a Board of Water Commissioners who shall have control
and management of such systems and to be known as the Board of Water
Commissioners. The Water Department is a separate entity from the City of
Stillwater and can sue or be sued. After discussion, Dave Magnuson will check
with the League of Minnesota Cities on coverage benefits. The Board is not
currently covered through the League of Minnesota Cities.
3. Manager Benson informed the Board that he received a call from Kathy Newman
regarding her current bill in which she used 116,000 gallons. Manager Benson
has returned her call and is waiting for a call back. After discussion, the same
process will have to be followed, try to get into the house for data logging.
4. President Speedling brought up the morale of the employees, this discussion
led to the use of company time for personal business, lunches and breaks, etc.
Manager Benson will review the Personal Policies and report back to the Board,
after approval, this will be reviewed with the employees.
5. Discussion was also held about purchasing a new chair and a sit/stand desk for
the front office. President Speedling and Manager Benson will meet with Kellie
and discuss the options along with Manager Benson working with the City’s IT
Department.
6. Manager Benson informed the Board that the new truck was purchased and they
had the radio and strobe light installed by Emergency Automotive Technology,
Inc. and the crew installed the tool box. Seat covers will be installed and James
inquired about getting a set of running boards installed, Manager Benson will
check to see if additional money will need to be approved before purchasing.
7. Manager Benson reported that the Tower Drive Water Tower was cleaned and
looks a lot better, he will follow up with the Board after receiving the inspection
report if further work is recommended; also LED bulbs were installed for the
marking lights on top of the tower.
8. Commissioner Vania updated the Board of the presentation from Dude Solutions,
also we will be meeting with Bolton and Menk on October 16, 2017.
9. Commissioner Jensen is still working on the Community Education with Alicia
and their goal will be to present this at the December meeting.
10. Manager Benson updated the Board on the Wellhead Protection Plan, there was
some discussion with John Oswald from Leggette, Brashears & Graham, Inc.
(LBG) about measuring the flow of water out of Well #1, currently well #1 pumps
550 Gallon Per Minute (GPM). Manager Benson will follow up with Verne
Jacobson with T.K.D.A. before the plan is submitted to the Minnesota
Department of Health.
11. Commissioner Vania provided the Board with information from the AWWA
School that he attended in Duluth. Discussion was also held about the Minnesota
Water Quality Goal meeting that was attended by President Speedling,
Commissioner Vania and Manager Benson at the Stillwater High School in which
Governor Dayton would like to improve the water quality 25% by 2025.
12. Manager Benson informed the Board that the insurance adjusters where out to
inspect all the buildings for hail damage, he will update the Board once he
receives their report.
There being no further business, on motion of Commissioner Vania, duly seconded by
President Speedling, all voting “Aye”, the meeting was adjourned.
Attest: Secretary