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

June 26, 2006

 

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, June 26, 2006 starting at 5:30 p.m. with a presentation by Wenck Associates on the Topeka Shiner permit process and status, and the regular meeting started at 6:30 p.m.  Chairman Jerry Lonneman called the meeting to order with Commissioners Ken Buysse, Earl DeWilde, Frank Engels, Charlie Simonson, Rod Spronk, Leonard Swenson, Bill Ufkin, Henry Van Dyke, and Joe Weber present. Commissioner Mike Brunner was absent.  Also present were Board Attorney, Ron Schramel; Wenck Associates representatives, Dennis Nelson and Jeff Madejczyk; Mayor of Hardwick, Bill DeBates; Field Superintendents, Don Drietz and Tom Muller; and CEO, Dennis Healy.

 

Topeka Shiner Update:  Dennis Nelson and Jeff Madejczyk from Wenck Associates presented information on the Topeka Shiner permit process, discussions with the Minnesota DNR and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and plans to complete the required studies permit applications.

 

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

 

Minutes:  M/S/P Ufkin/Swenson to approve the minutes of the May 22, 2006 Regular Board meeting.

 

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

 

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

·   DeWild Grant Reckert and Associates Company: General Services #59 = $4,871.91; Adrian Well #7, ppe #7 = $756.74

·   McDonald, Gudmestad & Schramel: General Legal Services = $704.10; ECI litigation = $299.00

·   US Bank: GO Refunding Bonds 2001, interest = $25,950.00

·   Liesch Associates, Inc.: Adrian Well #7 = $576.00;  Water Supply Exploration = $384.00

·   Wenck:  Phase I Topeka Shiner Take Permit = $4,412.85

 

 

Attorney’s Report: Ron Schramel had no activities to report. 

 

 

Engineer’s Report: Dennis Healy presented Darin Schriever’s report on the status of the Pump Station Upgrades project, the Hydraulic Model Update, and the Adrian Well No. 7 project.

 

 

2006 Expansion Project:

•  North Expansion:  Healy reported that a meeting has been scheduled at 7:00 p.m. on July 18th in the Clarkfield City Hall to present information on a potential expansion project in the Clarkfield, Granite Falls and Dawson areas.  The Board clarified their action at the May meeting that set a $13,000 hookup charge, but that does not include the normal $400 membership fee.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regional Water Development:

•  Adrian Well Development:  Healy reported that Jay Frischman from the DNR and Phil Delphey from the USFWS have authorized us to drill the well in Adrian with no observation wells and a minimum pump test because the project is so small.  The permit increase will be processed later when a mitigation plan is in place.  M/S/P Buysse/Weber to allow the use of rental payments from the Verdi and Holland well fields for Topeka Shiner mitigation as well as wellhead protection activities.

•  New Water Source Development:  Healy reported that several sites have been identified for water exploration in the Adrian and Lake Wilson areas, and he and Tom are working with landowners to get permission to drill.  M/S/P Ufkin/Weber to authorize the LPRW staff to proceed with test drilling activities.

 

 

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

•   New Hookups:  Drietz presented 5 requests for hookups for Board consideration.  M/S/P Weber/Swenson to approve the 5 requests based on staff recommendations, and the availability of water to serve those locations.

 

 

CEO’s Report:

·   Lewis & Clark is allocating excess water capacity to any systems wanting more capacity.  LPRW has 94,000 gallons per day available at a cost of about $346,000.  M/S/P Engels/Spronk to take the excess water capacity of 94,000 gallons per day. Healy invited the Board to a tour of the Lewis & Clark system on August 24th.  M/S/P Spronk/Weber to authorize prepayment of the LPRW local share of the Lewis & Clark project including the excess capacity allocation, and to include that amount with other improvements in a bond issue of approximately $3.5 million.

·   Healy recommended purchasing a new excavator rather than the backhoe originally budgeted based on recommendations of the field staff.  M/S/P Buysse/Swenson to authorize the CEO to purchase an excavator through the state cooperative purchasing program.

 

 

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 reported on MRWA activities.

Minnesota Governmental Agency Finance Group, Board Representative:  No report.

 

 

Other:  Earl DeWilde reported that the Pipestone County Board meeting went very well, and LPRW was lauded for keeping the Commissioners informed.

 

Adjournment:  M/S/P Engels/Van Dyke to adjourn the meeting at 9:30 p.m.  The next Regular Board meeting will be Monday, July 31, 2006 at 6:30 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

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                                  Earl DeWilde, Secretary