Duluth/North Shore Sanitary District – Board of Managers

Meeting # 75

Date: April 12, 2006

Board Members Present: Lars Fladmark, Kevin Bovee, Mary Ann Sironen, Scott Smith & Katie Kuettel

Board Members Absent: none

Others Present: Mary Frances Skala, Andy Pratt, Clare Carpenter, Missy Kesanen, John Miller, Jim Anklam, Jeff Cook, John Kessler, Ty Hebl, Bruce Berg, Mr. Anderson and two other individuals

Minutes to: Jim Anklam, Eric Appelwick, Mike Appelwick, Darryl Bathel, Dan Belden, Bruce Berg, Kelli Boedigheimer, Kevin Bovee , John Bowen, Clare Carpenter, Rick Certano, Jeff Cook, City of Duluth, Duluth City Council, Duluth Township, Lars Fladmark, Greg Garmer, Jane Gilbert, Mark Gottwald, Wendy Gustofson, Scott Harder, Mark Herman, Duane Herold, Lynn Ann Hollatz, Kevin Holm , Dan Jacobson, Laurie Johnson, Al Katz, John Kessler, Lakewood Township, Nancy Larson-St. Louis County, Sue Lawson, Patti Logergren, Mike Mahoney, Joe McGaver, Don McTavish, Larry Moon, Dan Neiman, Mel Olson, Wayne Parson, PLAWCS, David Pierson, Tom Pulse, Yvonne Rutford, Mark Schaus, John Schifsky, Dale Schroeder, Dick Sigel, Mary Ann Sironen , Mary Frances Skala, Scott Smith, Kurt Soderberg, Tim Strom, George Sundstrom , Carol Surine, Peg Sweeney, John Thomas, Nelson Thomas, Jonathon Thornton, Pete Weidman, Robin Whaley, Sandy Woolum

Minutes by: Missy Kesanen and edited by Mary Ann Sironen

Item	Discussion	Conclusion/Actions
Roll Call	A quorum of Board members is present.
Agenda	Motion by S. Smith and seconded by M. Sironen to approve the Agenda. Unanimously approved.
Minutes	Motion by K. Bovee and seconded by S. Smith to approve the February minutes. Unanimously approved.
Minutes	M. Sironen suggested that the odor control portion listed under the Updates portion to be listed only under the NTS Report portion of the minutes. J. Kessler wanted approval of DNSSD for the Land Use Permits to be the responsibility of E. Appelwick.	Motion by S. Smith and seconded by K. Bovee to make suggested changes and approved the March minutes. Unanimously approved.
Treasurer’s Report	C. Carpenter distributed the list of outstanding invoices. She noted that there was a November invoice (extended contract, post construction) included in the Ayres payment, and the retroactive billing for NTS was for the 3% increase for 2005.	Motion by K. Kuettel and seconded by M. Sironen to pay the current invoices as listed. Unanimously approved.
Public Comments	Mr. Anderson came to the meeting to show pictures of the flood plain problem he has been experiencing. He stated that he has been considering legal action to resolve the problem. Eric Beyer also had difficulties in March. J. Cook talked of a continuing problem at the Devon Cook residence with the sump pump running constantly.	The Board reassured Mr. Anderson that Ayres will look into it as soon as possible. J. Anklam had provided written comments to E. Appelwick and has been waiting for the spring thaw. J. Cook also said that he would take a look at the Anderson property.
Updates	I&I Inspections – Reports are due to WLSSD. There are 4 con-compliant customers. T. Hebl will find out who they are. Easements – J. Miller said they are going well. The June deadline will be met. Knife-River/Larsmont – March 2006: 643,000 gallons @.065 per 1000 gallons = $417.95 NTS to bill this amount to them. (it was noted that this amount needs to be subtracted from the WLSSD billing to get DNSSD’s amount). There is a magnetic meter in the retention tank that is monitored by both WLSSD and DNSSD.
Legal Issues	· S.J. Lewis – no current updates. · M. Skala stated that the Board needs to decide about Ordinance #4 and changes to Ordinance #1 to accommodate Ordinance #4. · Insurance – Chris James emailed A. Pratt a copy of the Insurance Summary. A Declaration page should be received each year with the renewal. The excess policy had been purchased with an annual premium of just over $7000.00 for all premiums. The additional increase in coverage was $1,625.00		· The Rates and Charges committee will meet before the next Board meeting. M. Skala will send the latest draft of Ordinance #4 to the Board members for their review. · Motion by S. Smith and seconded by K. Bovee to add the proposed coverage. Unanimously approved.
Engineer’s Report	J. Anklam distributed information on new connections to existing sewers. He asked that the Board look it over and give comments to him or E. Appelwick with the Board granting final approval. S. Smith suggested that the language used on the handout be easily understood. Malarski change order has been approved and paid. Ryan Road Odor – Some occurrences but continued improvement should be seen as the flow becomes consistent with the design from the system. Solutions include flushing valve/bigger grinder pump, add other grinder basin Ayres will look into this further Air Relief Valve – Fennessy property; periodically plugs with solids due to low flow and having to pump downhill (air gaps). NTS flushes about every two weeks.		1. J. Anklam will bring the Ayres document with Specifications to the next Board meeting so that the Board may review and approve. As complaints on odor come in, Ayres and/or NTS will go and check. A permanent solution is being sought for the Fennessy property..
NTS Report: T. Hebl distributed the April report to the Board. Lift Station #2 failed on 3/8/06 due to an electrical problem. WW Geutch came and fixed it. Sign Off Sheet – J. Kessler suggested that the request for a Building Permit will be send with a sketch to E. Appelwick and that it will be up to him to give clearance for the Easement. There should be a specific procedure for the proper steps to follow, possibly come up with a cost outside of the application fee. The 60 day rule is suspended if the homeowner is waiting for the government to act. S. Smith said that it should be implemented and check at a later date to see if it is running smoothly. If there are problems, then a fee could be installed. First Diversion of Flow – 3/31/06 and all went well. New wet weather sheets are being used to keep track of when WLSSD requires pumping. Ordinance Violation – Residence on Boland Road has cut a hole into the bottom of the control box. No notice has been sent. The control box can be repaired with a permanent patch. T. Hebl will take care of ASAP. In the future, a line item will be listed on the monthly billing statements stating “Danger/Fine” for tampering with equipment. The notice should list that they cease and desist and also include a date by which the problem needs to be fixed by. The fee to be imposed was tabled until the next meeting to get all the facts from E. Appelwick. Dialers were installed for transfer of loads. When there is a loss of power, they will automatically call T. Hebl and E. Appelwick. K. Bovee stated that somewhere along Old North Shore Road, a county grader must have hit a pipe near the edge of the road and the top was popped off and the sleeve was cracked. T. Hebl will look at ASAP. Emergency Locates – T. Hebl asked the Board if NTS could be reimbursed for those emergency locates which occur during business hours. When the contract was written, NTS was subcontracting this work. An Amendment will be prepared to amend the contract to pay the same rate for after hours emergency locates.
New Business	Knute Nisswandt – wants to abandon his water well, if he does this, would he still be required to hook-up to the system? Everything is there and ready for the electrical. Website – Bruce Berg was in attendance and stated that he has not received the last 3 months of minutes. A problem could have been occurring with Spam filter. M. Kesanen asked for the Board’s approval for her to be a signer on behalf of DNSSD on the ACH Agreement with North Shore Bank of Commerce for the direct debit program.	This was tabled until the next meeting so more information could be gathered. Mary Ann will double check with Bruce to be sure the minutes were received. Permission was granted and the form was signed by S. Smith.
Meeting adjourned. Next meeting is at 0700 at French River Lutheran Church on May 10, 2006.

Approved (date):

Chair Secretary