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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-11-08 BOWC MIN Stillwater, Minnesota November 8, 2018 Regular Meeting: The regular meeting of the Board of Water Commissioners was held on Thursday November 8, 2018, at 8:00 A.M. President Speedling & Commissioner Vania present Commissioner Jensen absent, with President Speedling presiding. Also present was Council Member Menikheim and Dan Gustafson with 16 Wins. 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 October 11, 2018 regular meeting were read and approved as written. On motion of Commissioner Vania, duly seconded by President Speedling, all voting "Aye", Resolution No.1524 was approved. Manager Benson reported to the Board on Jim’s behalf, he was meeting with the Stillwater Police to report vandalism at Well #8 overnight. He is still working with contractors on road construction projects as they try to wrap things up before winter and Boutwell’s Farm are still trying to get watermain installed for the new development. They are working on yard maintenance and fall clean-up, JBL Contracting has almost completed the work at Well #5, they are waiting for one door and after installation they will finish the siding; the soffit and fascia has been completed and the crew was able to get one coat of paint on and they will put the final coat on in the spring. Dan Gustafson with 16 Wins provided the Board with a contract for the web site design and development; after discussion, on motion of President Speedling, duly seconded by Commissioner Vania, all voting "Aye" the contract was approved pending approval by the City Attorney. Manager Benson informed the Board that he was contacted by John Donahue, owner of Party On Stillwater who is working for Sticks In Stillwater to find a place to build hockey rinks for their event, after talking with the City of Stillwater John said it would cost too much to use one of the city parks. John has worked with Trinity Lutheran Church and was given permission to use the vacant lot just south of the church on the corner of Third St. S and Myrtle St W and he would like to use the hydrant on the corner. Manager Benson explained that they would not be able to use the hydrant because the Water Department and City Staff are the only ones allowed to operate hydrants; this was decided at the December 21, 2017 Board Meeting. John stated they would pay to have someone come in after hours to operate the hydrant for them. The Board supports Sticks In Stillwater and Manager Benson was instructed to work out the details with John Donahue. Manager Benson presented the board with a quote from Interstate Power to replace the radiator and miscellaneous hoses on the back-up generator at Well #11. After much discussion, on motion of President Speedling, duly seconded by Commissioner Vania, all voting "Aye" the repair may be completed, not to exceed a cost of $8,600.00. The following items were discussed, with no action taken: 1. Accounts receivable balance as of October 31, 2018 was $300,214.97 with the actual amount being $342,673.42; this is $11,000.00 higher than last years. 2. Manager Benson talked with Karen Kill with Brown’s Creek Water Shed; she plans on attending the December Meeting once Safe Water Commission has completed the contract for Smart Controllers. 3. Community Education (Infographic) with Commissioner Jensen will be moved to the December Meeting, as she was unable to attend today’s meeting. 4. Manager Benson brought up the information for the December City Council Meeting and after discussion nothing new was added, he will use the information in the October Minutes. 5. Manager Benson informed the Board that he is working with Matt Ellingson with T.K.D.A. to get a cost estimate for a feasibility study on alternate water use for the Ice Castle. The City of Stillwater has not signed a five-year contract with them; it is on an annual basis. Manager Benson and Jim Tibbetts met with the City and Ice Castle staff at Bridgeview Park on the south end of town to determine if the site would work for the Ice Castle. Manager Benson was also informed by City of Stillwater Administrator Tom McCarty that the Ice Castle may not be in Stillwater this year. 6. Manager Benson provided the Board with an update from WBL/DRN Lawsuit, John Oswald (Lead Environmental Engineer) with WSP, after reviewing the th DNR’S new ground water model said even though Stillwater is 12 in terms of th effect on the lake it is still very small. The reason why Stillwater is 12 is likely just the sheer quantity of water Stillwater pumps (all wells were used in the analysis not just Well #11) compared to other users. Looking at figures 8-8 A and B on the model you can see the effect of pumping in Stillwater is less than about thth 1/20 of the pumping at White Bear Lake and 1/15 of the effect from St. Paul Regional Water. Therefore, if Stillwater is causing 1 inch of drawdown the other two would be causing around 3 feet of drawdown. Manager Benson added the Contested Case was stayed by the Chief Administrated Law Judge, the hearing th previously scheduled for today; November 8, 2018 at 10:00 A.M. has been cancelled. Attorney Sienko stated we can still pursue settlement discussions with the DNR and parties even though the case is currently stayed. Attorney Sienko has also requested a copy of the shape file for the five-mile radius around White Bear Lake. 7. Manager Benson is still waiting on the estimate for the drinking fountain at Brown’s Creek from Miller Excavating. 8. Manager Benson informed the Board that he received an email from Rose Holman City of Stillwater IT Manager; at the last minute the City got wind of a different software company called Beehive that was offering a program similar to Cartegraph, and after a quick demo public works has decided to go with the new company. They do offer a water module and a facilities module which Rose thinks will suit our needs. Manager Benson was instructed to contact Rose and set up a meeting with Beehive as soon as possible. After the December Board Meeting George will work with Jim to setup a time to go around with one of the crew to each site and verify asset data that was collected earlier this year. 9. President Speedling brought up the new employee Cole Ruud and asked how things are working out. Manager Benson replied that things are going well, he was asked to bring Cole to the December Board Meeting and introduce him to the Board Members. 10. Discussion was held about the vandalism at Well #8. Manager Benson was instructed to get a cost estimate to improve security at the wellhouse with lighting and cameras. Manager Benson will talk with the police department and report back at the December Meeting There being no further business, on motion of President Speedling, duly seconded by Commissioner Vania, all voting “Aye”, the meeting was adjourned. __________________________ Steve Speedling, President ATTEST: __________________________ Robert G. Benson, Secretary