LINCOLN PIPESTONE RURAL WATER SYSTEM

East Highway 14, P.O. Box 188, Lake Benton, MN 56149

                (507) 368-4248 or (800) 462-0309        fax (507) 368-4573 email:  lprw@itctel.com

 

 

MEETING MINUTES

January 31, 2005

 

The regular scheduled meeting of the Lincoln Pipestone Rural Water (LPRW) System Board of Commissioners was held at the LPRW office in Lake Benton on Monday, January 31, 2005 starting at 10:00 a.m. Chairman Rod Spronk called the meeting to order with Commissioners Mike Brunner, Ken Buysse, Earl DeWilde, Frank Engels, Jerry Lonneman, Charlie Simonson, Leonard Swenson, Henry Van Dyke, and Joe Weber present.  Bill Ufkin was absent.  Also present were Board Attorney, Ron Schramel; Field Superintendents, Don Drietz and Tom Muller; Water Operator, Ron Carr; and CEO, Dennis Healy.

 

Agenda:  The Agenda was approved as presented.

 

Minutes:  M/S/P Lonneman/Van Dyke to approve the minutes of the December 27, 2004 Regular Board meeting.

 

Treasurer's Report:  M/S/P Simonson/Swenson to approve the Treasurer’s report as presented.

 

Bills:  M/S/P Engels/Brunner to approve the following bills for payment:

·   DeWild Grant Reckert and Associates Company: NE Phase #50 = $1,221.00; Adrian Well No. 7 ppe #3 = $1,232.00; Lismore Service Connection ppe #6 = $548.00; General Services #42 = $2,305.50

·   McDonald, Gudmestad & Schramel: General Legal Services = $2,024.77; Northeast Expansion = $168.00

·   Liesch Associates, Inc.: Adrian Well #7 hydrology = $344.00

 

Attorney’s Report:  Ron Schramel reported to the Board on the status of the Eatherly suit and the countersuit filed by LPRW.  M/S/P Lonneman/Engels to authorize Ron Schramel to proceed with the countersuit.  Schramel reported that the 2004 assessment has been completed with 106 assessments.  An unemployment claim has been filed and was discussed.

 

Engineer’s Report: Dennis Healy reported on the following items because DGR did not have a representative at the meeting:

 

  NE Expansion and GIS/GPS:  The projects are nearing completion and closeout.

 

  Burr WTP Improvements:  The Burr Water Treatment Plant improvements projects are completed or nearing completion.

 

   Lismore Service Connection:  The project has been completed and paid for.

 

Regional Water Development:

 

  Adrian:  A meeting is scheduled with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and Minnesota DNR, the City of Adrian, and LPRW to discuss monitoring and permit issues.

 

  Chandler:  The Chandler Fire Department has requested access to LPRW Fire Hydrants.  LPRW policy is to allow access if LPRW is notified and preferably is available to operate valves.  Tom Muller will coordinate with them.

 

Field Superintendents’ Report:  Don Drietz and Tom Muller reported on the following items:

·   Don Drietz reported on easement restoration responsibilities.

·   Tom Muller reported that a snow blower has been purchased for the skid-steer loader, and a lawn mower has been purchased.

 

Ron Carr:  Chairman Rod Spronk invited Ron Carr to stand and be recognized for 25 years of service to LPRW, and Carr was presented a plaque and congratulated by all those present.

CEO’s Report:

·   Healy reported on the status of the Northeast Phase Project.

·   The Lewis & Clark project is moving forward as more construction is completed, and state and federal finances are committed.

·   A resolution authorizing the new officers and CEO to perform banking functions was presented. M/S/P Buysse/Brunner to authorize the Board officers, and Dennis Healy to perform banking functions at First Security Bank in Lake Benton.

·   M/S/P Lonneman/Swenson to approve a Pipestone County highway easement on the east side of the Holland WTP property.

·   Healy reported that the staff has not been able to find a semi-tractor for the amount available in the CIP budget.  M/S/P Lonneman/Engels to authorize the staff to spend up to $30,000 to purchase a semi-tractor as per the 2004 CIP budget.

·   The 2005 IRS mileage rate is $0.405.

 

Chairman Rod Spronk proposed the following appointments and the Board concurred:

 

Executive Committee: Per the approved “Committee Structure” the four Board officers are automatically appointed: Rod Spronk (Chairman); Jerry Lonneman (Vice-Chairman); Joe Weber (Secretary); and Bill Ufkin (Treasurer).

 

Personnel Committee: Proposed appointments are:  Secretary, Joe Weber, Chairman; Frank Engels; and Henry Van Dyke.

 

Budget & Finance Committee:  Proposed appointments are: Treasurer, Bill Ufkin, Chairman; Charlie Simonson; Earl DeWilde; and Ken Buysse.

 

Water Resources and Equipment Committee: Proposed appointments are:  Vice-Chairman, Jerry Lonneman, Chairman; Leonard Swenson; and Mike Brunner.

 

The following appointments were also acted upon:

 

Minnesota Rural Water Association, Board Representative:  M/S/P Lonneman/Van Dyke to appoint Leonard Swenson as the LPRW representative on the MRWA Board; and to appoint Bill Ufkin as alternate representative.

 

Southwest/West Central Service Cooperative: M/S/P Weber/Swenson to appoint Dennis Healy as the LPRW representative on the SW/West Central Service Cooperative.

 

Lewis and Clark Rural Water Board, and the Minnesota Joint Powers Board in support of the Lewis and Clark Project: M/S/P Engels/DeWilde to appoint Dennis Healy as the LPRW representative on the Lewis & Clark Rural Water System Board and on the Lewis & Clark Minnesota Joint Powers Board, and to appoint Jerry Lonneman and if allowable Tom Muller as alternates to both Boards.

 

Committee Reports: The following committee reports were given:

Executive Committee: No report.

Water Resources and Equipment Committee: No report.

Personnel Committee: No report.

Budget & Finance Committee: No report.

Minnesota Rural Water Association, Board Representative:  Leonard Swenson provided an update on MRWA activities.

 

Other: MRWA conference registration issues were discussed.  The low employee participation in the holiday social was discussed.  The Board directed Healy to set up tours for area elected officials this summer.

 

Adjournment:  M/S/P Buysse/Swenson to adjourn the meeting at 2:00 p.m.  The next Regular Board meeting will be Monday, February 28, 2004 at 10:00 a.m.

 

 

______________________________________________

                                  Joe Weber, Secretary