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

July 31, 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, July 31, 2006 starting at 6:30 p.m. Chairman Jerry Lonneman called the meeting to order with Commissioners Mike Brunner, Ken Buysse, , , Charlie Simonson, Rod Spronk, Leonard Swenson, , Henry Van Dyke, and Joe Weber present. Also present were Board Attorney, ; DGR Engineer, ; Field Superintendents, Don Drietz and Tom Muller; and CEO, Dennis Healy.

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

Minutes: M/S/P Ufkin/Buysse to approve the minutes of the June 26, 2006 Regular Board meeting.

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

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

DeWild Grant Reckert and Associates Company: General Services #60 = $3,009.95; Adrian Well #7, ppe #8 = $247.50; 2006 System Improvements - Pump Stations – ppe #2 = $23,006.40

McDonald, Gudmestad & Schramel: General Legal Services = $945.60

Liesch Associates, Inc.: Adrian Well #7 = $1,453.53; Water Supply Exploration = $2,543.66; NE Water Supply Exploration = $574.81

 

Attorney’s Report: reported that he has reviewed well options, and the proposed bond issue to prepay the LPRW share of the Lewis and Clark project and other improvements appears ready to proceed.

 

Engineer’s Report: reported on the status of the Pump Station Upgrades project, the Hydraulic Model Update, the Adrian Well No. 7 project, and the 2006 Expansion Project.

 

2006 Expansion Project:

• North Expansion: Healy reported that the July 18th in Clarkfield was very well attended, and expansion projects in the Clarkfield and Granite Falls areas can go ahead. There was no interest from the Dawson area so that expansion cannot proceed at this time. Materials will have to be purchased soon, and the new excavator will need to be ordered through the state cooperative purchasing program. M/S/P Ufkin/Brunner to proceed with the Clarkfield and Granite Falls area expansion for 20 to 30 hookups.

 

Regional Water Development:

• Adrian Well Development: Healy reported that Adrian well #7 has been drilled, and it will be finished when the screen arrives and pump tests have been completed.

• 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. The staff recommendation is to explore the Lake Wilson area first because a water source and treatment plant in that location will have more long-term benefits although it will cost more to develop. The area north of Adrian would be explored only if the Lake Wilson area did not look promising. M/S/F Ufkin/Simonson to authorize the LPRW staff to proceed with test drilling activities in both areas. The motion failed on a vote of 3 in favor and 8 opposed. M/S/P Van Dyke/Buysse to do the Lake Wilson exploration first, and to do the Adrian exploration only if a good water supply is not found in the Lake Wilson area.

 

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

• Drietz reported that operations were going well in the north half of the system.

• Muller reported that the Chandler tower was empty as of 5:15 p.m. due to mechanical problems at Adrian and very high use due to the heat and crop spraying. Healy noted that water emergency ads have been running on the radio since Friday, and a replacement part was ordered by LPRW and installed on Friday.

• New Hookups: Drietz and Muller presented 10 requests for new hookups for Board consideration. M/S/P Buysse/Engels to deny a request from Berry Rieck for a backup water supply at a 2400 head hog barn due to lack capacity. M/S/P Weber/Swenson to approve the other 9 requests based on staff recommendations, and the availability of water to serve those locations.

 

CEO’s Report:

Lewis & Clark is progressing nearly on schedule because most of the members are prepaying the local share so the treatment plant can be built on schedule. The Minnesota members are working with the state to facilitate payment of the state’s share of the project.

Healy reported that the Topeka Shiner field survey has been completed and a report will be forthcoming.

 

Committee Reports: The following committee reports were given:

Executive Committee: No report.

Water Resources and Equipment Committee: No report. A work session for the 2007 Budget was set for 6:30 on September 11th.

Personnel Committee: No report. A work session for the 2007 Budget was set for 6:30 on September 11th.

Budget & Finance Committee: No report. A work session for the 2007 Budget was set for 6:30 on September 11th.

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

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

 

Other: noted that the LPRW semi and trailer were in a local parade, and he wondered if that was appropriate. Healy noted that he authorized the use, but does not plan to do so in the future. M/S/F DeWilde/Van Dyke to prohibit the use of LPRW vehicles except in an official capacity. The motion failed on a vote of 3 in favor and 8 opposed. Healy was directed to develop a policy after checking with our insurance company.

Adjournment: M/S/P Engels/Brunner to adjourn the meeting at 9:30 p.m. The next Regular Board meeting will be Monday, August 28, 2006 at 6:30 p.m.

 

 

 

 

______________________________________________

, Secretary