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 18, 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, September 18, 2006 starting at 7:00 p.m.  Chairman Jerry Lonneman called the meeting to order with Commissioners Mike Brunner, Ken Buysse, Earl DeWilde, Frank Engels, Charlie Simonson, Leonard Swenson, Bill Ufkin, Henry Van Dyke, and Joe Weber present. Rod Spronk was absent. Also present were Board Attorney, Ron Schramel; Field Superintendent, Tom Muller; and CEO, Dennis Healy.

 

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

 

Minutes:  M/S/P Swenson/Engels to approve the minutes of the August 28, 2006 Regular Board meeting.

 

Treasurer's Report:  M/S/P Ufkin/Van Dyke 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: General Services #62 = $2,467.00; Adrian Well #7, ppe #10 = $3,119.50; 2006 System Improvements - Pump Stations – ppe #4 = $5,500.00

·   McDonald, Gudmestad & Schramel: General Legal Services = $666.20

 

 

Attorney’s Report: Ron Schramel that the 3 members whose terms expire on January 1, 2007 have agreed to serve another term if reappointed.  M/S/P Engels/Swenson to recommend to the county boards the reappointment of Ken Buysse, Earl DeWilde and Charlie Simonson for another 4-year term.

 

 

Engineer’s Report: Healy presented project updates provided by Darin Schriever.  A new item was the possibility of receiving water from Osceola County Rural Water to supplement supplies in the south part of the system.  Healy will try to set up a meeting with the Manager of OCRWS to discuss the potential for this.

 

 

2006 Expansion Project:

•  North Expansion:  Healy reported that work is scheduled to start this week, and should be completed in 6 to 8 weeks.

 

 

Regional Water Development:

•  Adrian Well Development:  Healy reported that Adrian well #7 has been drilled, and it will be finished after Labor Day.

•  New Water Source Development:  Exploration in the Lake Wilson area should start in the next two weeks.

 

 

Field Superintendents’ Report: Tom Muller reported that operations are going smoothly.

 

 

 

 

 

CEO’s Report:

·   The Minnesota Lewis & Clark Joint Powers Board will meet in Luverne at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 21st.  Jerry Lonneman is the LPRW representative and Henry Van Dyke is the alternate. We need to present a list of projects we plan to use for state matching funds, and Healy presented a proposed list for consideration.  M/S/P Simonson/Buysse to adopt the following Resolution:

 

RESOLUTION REQUESTING APPROVAL OF PROJECTS BY THE LEWIS & CLARK JOINT POWERS BOARD

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners of the Lincoln Pipestone Rural Water System (LPRW) is a member of the Lewis & Clark Rural Water System; and

WHEREAS, LPRW is also a member of the Lewis & Clark Joint Powers Board that was created to facilitate the involvement of Minnesota members, and allow the payment of the State of Minnesota share of the Lewis & Clark Project.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Commissioners of the Lincoln Pipestone Rural Water System, a rural water system of the State of Minnesota, statutorily organized under M.S. 116A, to request that the Lewis & Clark Joint Powers Board approve the following projects to qualify for funding from the State of Minnesota so LPRW can make required payments to the Lewis & Clark Rural Water System on behalf of the State of Minnesota:

Lewis & Clark Related Projects:

 

•  Pump Station Improvements: Upgrade of electronics and SCADA at 6 major pumping stations, and associated mechanical and structural upgrades.  ($500,000 to $800,000)

 

•  Water Supply Exploration: Hydrologic studies, aquifer testing and well development to find water supplies suitable for use while Lewis & Clark is being developed.  After completion of the Lewis & Clark Project this water source will serve as a backup and supplemental supply.  ($200,000 to $400,000)

 

•  Topeka Shiner Mitigation: Water supplies in southwest Minnesota have the potential to impact Topeka Shiner habitat.  The Topeka Shiner is an endangered species.  The LPRW Holland Water Supply and other existing or potential have been shown to impact Topeka Shiner Habitat, and mitigation will be required to acquire and maintain withdrawal permits.  ($100,000 to $500,000)

 

•  Water Source Development: Water resources discovered as a result of the Water Supply Exploration Project need to be developed, and other potential water supplies will require improvements to supply LPRW.  Development may include installation of production wells, construction of a treatment plant, and associated equipment and pipeline.  ($5,000,000 to $10,000,000)

 

•  Distribution System Improvements: Various distribution system improvements will be necessary bring the above projects on line.  These improvements will also be required to fully integrate the Lewis & Clark water supply into the LPRW system.  ($1,000,000 to $2,000,000)

 

The Resolution passed with all members present voting in favor.

 

•   New Hookups:  Healy presented 2 requests for new hookups and 1 request for a temporary cement plant hookup for Board consideration.  M/S/P Ufkin/Van Dyke to approve the 2 new hookups, and to approve the temporary hookup provided that all costs plus a $1,000 administrative fee are paid and the customer acknowledges that LPRW will reduce or shut off the water supply at any time LPRW determines it is necessary.

·   Healy reported that there is some interest in the CREP II program and he is working on a permanent easement north of the Holland well field.

·   Various Board members reported that they have talked to Rod Spronk, and he and Linda are recovering from their accident and will be home soon.

·   Healy presented information on water rates for 2007.  M/S/P Weber/Brunner to adopt the following Resolution:

 

RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING WATER RATES FOR THE LINCOLN PIPESTONE RURAL WATER SYSTEM

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners of the Lincoln Pipestone Rural Water System (LPRW) must establish water rates sufficient to operate and maintain the System; and

WHEREAS, the LPRW Board of Commissioners have determined that current rates are not sufficient to meet the needs of the System.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Commissioners of the Lincoln Pipestone Rural Water System, a rural water system of the State of Minnesota, statutorily organized under M.S. 116A, that the following monthly water rates shall become effective for water consumed after June 1, 2007:

Retail Water Rates:

Minimum Charge 0 – 1,000 gallons                                                        $16.50

1,001 – 50,000 gallons per month                                                           $ 1.95         per thousand gallons

50,001 – 100,000 gallons per month                                                      $ 2.05         per thousand gallons

100,001 – 150,000 gallons per month                                                    $ 2.15         per thousand gallons

150,001 or more gallons per month                                                        $ 2.20         per thousand gallons

 

Wholesale Water Rates:

All water consumed each month                                                              $ 1.75         per thousand gallons

 

The Resolution passed with all members present voting in favor.

 

•   The Board reviewed various Health Insurance options, and Healy reported that the consensus of the employees was to retain the current plan even though it may affect potential pay increases.  M/S/P Ufkin/Swenson to keep the current health care plan in 2007, increase base pay scales by 1%, and add a new administrative position in 2007.

 

•   A letter from Dominic Jones, Manager of Red Rock Rural Water System concerning the RRRWS entry into the wastewater management field in the Seaforth area was discussed.  The LPRW Board indicated a willingness to consider expansion into wastewater services, but they did not foresee any concerns with RRRWS expanding into the Seaforth area.

 

Committee Reports: The Board of the September 11th to discuss 2007 Budget issues. 

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: No report.

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

 

 

Adjournment:  M/S/P Weber/Van Dyke to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 p.m.  The next Regular Board meeting will be Monday, October 30, 2006 at 7:00 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                     ______________________________________________

                                                                                          Earl DeWilde, Secretary