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

February 28, 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, February 28, 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, Bill Ufkin, Henry Van Dyke, and Joe Weber present. Also present were Board Attorney, Ron Schramel; DGR Engineer, Darin Schriever; StarPoint Communications CEO, Craig Holland; Field Superintendents, Don Drietz and Tom Muller; and CEO, Dennis Healy.

Agenda: M/S/P Ufkin/Simonson to approve the Agenda as presented.

Minutes: M/S/P Swenson/Engels to approve the minutes of the January 31, 2005 Regular Board meeting.

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

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

· DeWild Grant Reckert and Associates Company: NE Phase #51 = $1,697.50; Adrian Well No. 7 ppe #? = $0.00; Lismore Service Connection ppe #7 = $500.00; General Services #43 = $188.00

· McDonald, Gudmestad & Schramel: General Legal Services = $2,964.72; Northeast Expansion = $0.00

· Liesch Associates, Inc.: Adrian Well #7 hydrology; ppe #4 & #5 = $3,027.87

Attorney’s Report: Ron Schramel reported to the Board on the status of the Eatherly suit and the countersuit filed by LPRW. Mediation will be the first step in the process, but that has not been scheduled yet.

StarPoint Communications: Craig Holland, CEO of StarPoint Communications presented a request to place wireless communications equipment on the Minneota water tower. M/S/P Ufkin/Lonneman to authorize Dennis Healy to prepare an agreement, subject to review by Ron Schramel, with StarPoint at a rent of $100 per month when the equipment is installed and operational.

Engineer’s Report: Darin Schriever reported on the following items:

• 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. M/S/P Buysse/Simonson to authorize Healy to review and proceed with the additional work needed in the recarb basin provided that an acceptable quote is received for the work.

• Lismore Service Connection: The project has been completed and paid for, but the contractor may contest the liquidated damages.

Regional Water Development:

• Adrian: The project is on hold until a Topeka Shiner habitat evaluation can be completed. The monitoring wells in Yellow Medicine County that were to be drilled with the Adrian well should be installed now to avoid interference with farm operations.

• Booster Stations: Booster stations have been designed at the Ivanhoe and Chandler towers.

• Chandler Tower Inspection: M/S/P Lonneman/Swenson to authorize DGR to inspect the Chandler Tower and to authorize Healy to execute the agreement.

• Temporary Water Supply: Discussions are preceding between Luverne, Rock County Rural Water, Lewis & Clark Rural Water, and LPRW to provide water to LPRW until the Lewis & Clark project is completed..

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

· The truck and trailer LPRW had for sale have been sold for $9,500, and a used semi-tractor has been located.

· An excavator can be purchased through the state bid with the cooperation of the Lincoln County Highway Department.

· Quotes will be obtained for 2 new pickups.

CEO’s Report:

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

· The February 22^nd meeting with the DNR, SDDENR, and USDA-RD was very helpful. No new issues were identified.

· The Lewis & Clark project is moving forward as more construction is completed, and state and federal finances are committed. An increase in size to accommodate Sioux Falls is being discussed.

· Healy reported that he will be working with Engineering America to inspect the tanks they installed.

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: The upcoming MRWA conference was discussed.

Adjournment: M/S/P Lonneman/Brunner to adjourn the meeting at 2:15 p.m. The next Regular Board meeting will be Monday, March 28, 2005 at 10:00 a.m.

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Joe Weber, Secretary