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

September 26, 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, September 26, 2005 starting at 6:30 p.m. Chairman Rod Spronk called the meeting to order with Commissioners Mike Brunner, Bill Ufkin, Earl DeWilde, Charlie Simonson, Leonard Swenson, Henry Van Dyke, Jerry Lonneman, Frank Engels and Joe Weber present.   Commissioner Ken Buysse was absent.  Also present were Board Attorney, Ron Schramel; Field Superintendents, Don Drietz; and CEO, Dennis Healy.

 

Agenda:  M/S/P Lonneman/Swenson to approve the Agenda as presented.

 

Minutes:  M/S/P Engels/Brunner to approve the minutes of the August 29, 2005 regular Board meeting, and the September 12, 2005 Personnel Committee and Special Board meetings.

 

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

 

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

·   DeWild Grant Reckert and Associates Company: Boyd Service Connection, ppe #3 = $1,400.00; General Services #50 = $1,751.00

·   McDonald, Gudmestad & Schramel: General Legal Services = $733.80; ECI litigation = $176.00

 

 

Attorney’s Report:  Ron Schramel reported to the Board on the following issues:

 

•   The assessment of delinquent accounts was discussed.  M/S/P Ufkin/Engels to assess delinquent accounts effective October 1st unless they have been paid in full.  All members voted in favor of the motion except DeWilde who abstained.

 

•   The assessment of new hookups was discussed.  M/S/P Lonneman/Swenson to assess new hookups installed or pending installation as of September 30th.

 

•   Schramel reviewed the progress of the ECI v. LPRW case.

 

 

Engineer’s Report: Healy distributed the engineer’s report, and discussed the following items.

 

•  NE Expansion and GIS/GPS: The Burr WTP projects are completed except for some work on Schedule E that will be completed when water use goes down, and repair of a monitor as part of Schedule D.

 

•   2005 System Improvements and Expansion:  DGR and LPRW representative met with Nobles County economic development representative to discuss development of a large dairy.  Water is very limited but LPRW will work to move the project along.

 

•  Adrian:  On hold.

 

•  Edgerton Interconnection:  On hold.

 

•  Rock County Rural Water:  On hold.

 

•  Boyd Connection:  The City of Boyd Service Connection construction is scheduled to start the week of September 26th.

 

 

Regional Water Development:  Healy updated the Board on continuing efforts to locate additional water sources in the area.

 

 

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

·   Drietz reported that the Ivanhoe booster stations sustained lightening damage, and an insurance claim has been filed.

·   Chlorine levels at the Lynd standpipe are being monitored.

 

 

CEO’s Report:

·   Healy reported that the NE Phase Project account has about enough funds to pay outstanding bills.

·   The Lewis & Clark project is progressing, and the LPRW Board received a revised “Commitment Agreement” for their consideration.  Troy Larson, the Executive Director of the Lewis and Clark Rural Water System, will be at the November Board meeting to answer any questions about the Agreement.

·    Healy requested authorization to purchase a new pickup for the new Operator who is scheduled to start October 17th.  M/S/P Lonneman/Swenson to authorize the CEO to purchase a new 3/4-ton, “E85” capable pickup within the limits of the approved 2005 Budget.

·   Healy reported on health insurance coverage options available, and recommended changing coverage to a plan that would increase premiums by 1.8% rather than the 9% if we stayed with the current plan.  M/S/P Engels/Simonson to change to the BC/BS “Plan #30 (Preferred Gold $300 deductible)” health insurance coverage.

·   Healy reported that the rental contract for some of the acreage at the Holland Well Field was amended to at 2 years to the contract so it conforms to the CRP contract.

 

 

Committee Reports: The following committee reports were given: 

Executive Committee: No report.

Water Resources and Equipment Committee: The Committee will meet in early November.

Personnel Committee: The Committee will meet in early November.

Budget & Finance Committee: The Committee will meet in early November.

Minnesota Rural Water Association, Board Representative: Leonard Swenson reported on MRWA activities.

Minnesota Governmental Agency Finance Group:  No report.

 

Other:  Healy asked if any Board members wanted to attend the following meetings and requested that they let him know:  1).  CREP II informational meeting in the Community Room of the Pipestone County Courthouse on Friday, September 30th at 9:30;  and 2) a meeting of the Minnesota House Bonding Committee on October17th at a time and place to be announced.

 

Adjournment:  M/S/P Lonneman/Brunner to adjourn the meeting at 10:00 p.m.  The next Regular Board meeting will be Monday, October 31, 2005 at 6:30 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                            ____________________________________________

                                  Joe Weber, Secretary