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Minutes of the Meeting of the C.K.S.D.
The Consolidated Koshkonong Sanitary District held their regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at 6:00 P.M. Present were John Traynor, Todd Sahr, Robert Venske, Barbara McGann, David Anderson, David Houfe Jr. and Lynne Lund.
Also present were Jonathan Groessl, C.K.S.D. Attorney; Gene Laschinger, C.K.S.D. Engineer; Barbara Steponkus, C.K.S.D. Accountant; and Rich Plywacz, a Town of Fulton property owner.
President John Traynor opened the meeting at 6:02 P.M. and called the meeting to order.
1. The President asked for confirmation of meeting notice. Lynne stated that the agenda was published in the Edgerton Reporter on January 4, 2012 and posted at the C.K.S.D. Office, Oberg’s Tavern, Newville Mobil and on the C.K.S.D. website.
2. Barb McGann made a motion, seconded by Bob Venske, to approve the December 14, 2011 minutes. Motion carried.
3. Under Oath of Office, Lynne stated that she received a copy of the Town of Albion’s December minutes that show that Dave Anderson was appointed to the C.K.S.D. Board. She asked for Dave Anderson to sign the Commissioner’s Oath of Office. Lynne added that she will notarize the form. Dave Anderson signed the form at this time.
4. There was no public participation.
5. Under Board Communication Report, Bob had nothing to report. Barb McGann stated that she talked with David Houfe, C.K.S.D. Field Operations Manager, before tonight’s meeting about him possibly attending the Town of Sumner February meeting. She understands that we have done all the testing needed for the standing water by Station F but explained that she would like it all on record. Barb McGann stated that the meeting is February 13, 2012 at 7:00 P.M. The Board agreed that it would be a good idea for Dave Houfe to attend the Town of Sumner meeting. John Traynor stated that he had a meeting with Dave Houfe and Lynne Lund, C.K.S.D. Internal Operations Manager, concerning the new changes to this Board. Todd had nothing to report. John Traynor explained to Dave Anderson that “Board Communication Report” is an opportunity to bring forward any communications that the Board has had with others concerning C.K.S.D. matters. Dave Anderson had nothing to report.
6. Under Discuss/Take Possible Action on Station F, Dave Houfe presented the Board with some pictures that he took of the area that Barb McGann is referring to by Station F. He explained that the elevations are a little different. Barb McGann asked about the ditch. Dave Houfe stated that he has pictures of both sides of the ditch. He explained that the covers have small pick holes in it so the valve vault is full of water. Dave Houfe stated that it was sealed up when they did the inspection and the water is not affecting anything. He stated that he wishes the elevations were the exact same but they are not. Dave Houfe added that the elevations are also different at Station P. He stated that he wishes we would have had a picture from before the construction at Station F. Dave Houfe believes this is a vast improvement from what it was before. Barb McGann stated that Rob Fortune from Strand Associates, Inc. had talked about a possibility of drain tiling. She understands that drain tiling would not help everything but it could help some. Barb McGann stated that Mr. Fortune had told her that he would look into this but she never heard any more on this. Dave Houfe stated that there was some discussion on this at the construction meetings. Barb McGann stated that now this area has gotten very marshy. Dave Houfe stated that he did dig a little trench to drain some of the water. He stated that if drain tile is installed in the future, he would suggest installing it closer to the lake. John Traynor wondered if there is some type of ditching that we can do. Dave Houfe stated that we could pull off the second valve vault cover and install a 4-6 inch riser. He added that this would bring the elevation up. Dave Houfe stated that he did question this when it was installed. He believes this would help move the water away from that area but it is not going to help beyond that. Barb McGann stated that the constant complaint is that they think it is sewage; they do not smell sewer but think it looks like it. Dave Anderson questioned what is happening at Station F. Dave Houfe explained that with the fill that was put in around the second manhole the water comes right up and almost bubbles up. Barb McGann added that this was a problem before the construction. Dave Anderson asked if the ditches are lower. Dave Houfe stated yes. John Traynor wondered if there is a way we can change the landscape around the cover to improve the area. Barb McGann asked if there is any possibility of drain tiling. John Traynor stated that we could start with Dave Houfe going to the meeting. He suggested that Dave Houfe and Gene Laschinger, C.K.S.D. Engineer, take a look at it in more depth. The Board agreed that this item should be put on next month’s agenda.
7. Under Approval of the Bills, Todd Sahr asked if there is anything unusual on the List of Bills. Lynne stated no. The Board reviewed both Lists of Bills at this time.
Todd Sahr made a motion, seconded by Barb McGann, to approve both Lists of Bills for payment. Motion carried.
8. Under Review of the Financial Statements, Lynne stated that there are no Certificate of Deposits up for renewal this month. Barb Steponkus stated that the W-2s are ready. Lynne stated that the Board can pick up their W-2s after the meeting.
Todd Sahr made a motion, seconded by Barb McGann, to place the financial statements on file. Motion carried.
9. Under Report by Field Operations Manager, Dave Houfe stated that he and Lynne had a meeting with Mr. Laschinger and he also gave Mr. Laschinger a tour of the district. He stated that he went over some items with Mr. Laschinger that he is concerned about; he added not any big changes he just wanted a fresh set of eyes on it. Dave Houfe stated that they talked about our upcoming permit and he called Doris Thiele from the DNR to inform her that Town & Country Engineering is our new engineer. He stated that Mr. Laschinger talked about trying to get a pre-look at our permit. Barb McGann asked if the DNR lets us do that. Mr. Laschinger stated that the DNR used to but with them being so far behind they may not. He stated that the reason they ask to get a pre-look is once the permit is published it is harder to get items off the permit. Mr. Laschinger stated that they are planning to meet with the DNR within the next week or so. He stated that he will get back to Dave Houfe on the exact date since Dave showed interest of attending this meeting. Mr. Laschinger stated he is meeting with Paul Kent, who is the legal counsel for municipalities, next week. He added that Mr. Kent is from the Municipal Environmental Group, which is like a lobbyist group. Mr. Laschinger stated that Mr. Kent works with many municipalities across the state. Barb McGann asked if Mr. Kent was involved in the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL.) Mr. Laschinger stated yes. He explained that if municipalities contribute to the Municipal Environmental Group, Mr. Kent offers five free hours of his services when the municipalities permit comes out. Mr. Laschinger stated that Mr. Kent offers advice from a legal standpoint but is also involved with the real details. Jonathan Groessl, C.K.S.D. Attorney, added that Mr. Kent is the “water lawyer of the state.” Barb McGann wondered if we should possibly consider this association. Mr. Laschinger feels that it is a very good organization and there are a lot of communities around the state that are involved in the group. He stated that he does not know what the fees are and it may be based on population. Mr. Laschinger stated that when they have environmental issues they try to have a municipality use Mr. Kent.
Dave Houfe stated that he heard back from the Gorman Rupp representative regarding the pumps at Station R. He stated that the representative recommends putting in a 2-inch bypass. Dave Houfe stated that this is the only fix they can come up with. He added that we will wait until spring to do this. Dave Houfe stated that we will hire a contractor to do the digging and we can do the rest of the work. He stated that Crane Engineering is going to supply the t’s, cover blanks and shut offs. Dave Houfe stated that when there are heavy rains they are going to be opened up fully. He added that Mr. Laschinger suggested an electronic valve that closes and opens up when needed. Dave Houfe feels that this would be a nice fix. John Traynor wondered if we could tie this into the SCADA system. Dave Houfe stated we already have it set up on the SCADA to get a high wet well alarm. Mr. Laschinger stated that he is not sure what is causing the problem but feels that it could be that the existing piping may be slightly undersized. He explained that the suction may be creating some of the issues but would have to look at it to know for sure. Mr. Laschinger stated that when it gets down to the shut-off you can hear the noise pick up and it is sucking harder and creating more friction loss. He stated that he is surprised that Crane Engineering has not come up with that. Dave Houfe stated they have run all the tests. He stated that we are going to go with Gorman Rupp’s suggestion for now unless we come up with something different before then. Todd asked if we are in our range of pump curve. Dave Houfe stated it will put us in range with the 2-inch bypass. He added that we are not in range now.
Dave Houfe stated that he is still waiting for one more quote on replacing the old blower. He will have it for the February meeting.
Dave Houfe stated that he talked to Pete Riesterer, leaser of some of our farm land, regarding the tree line on Ellendale Road. He stated that he asked Mr. Riesterer if it would be beneficial to them if we remove the tree line and Mr. Riesterer seemed like it would but feels that it would be better to do in the spring. Dave Houfe stated that the gain of land would make it worth them doing the work. Rich Plywacz asked where the trees would be pushed. John Traynor stated that burying it would be best but we could also burn it. Dave Houfe stated that they have burned it in the past. Todd explained that it is an eye sore but we also have trees that we are liable for, which is the real issue. Mr. Plywacz wondered what land would be gained by removing the tree line. John Traynor stated approximately six rows of corn. Dave Houfe stated that Mr. Riesterer said they would do the work. Todd explained that the trees are all entangled in our fence so feels that we should just get rid of them. Mr. Plywacz asked if we are going to open it up for free fire wood. Dave Houfe stated that Mike Peterson, Town of Fulton property owner, has cut fire wood in the past. Lynne stated that Mr. Peterson signed a release form with us. She added that anyone else wanting to cut fire wood would have to sign a release. Mr. Groessl agreed. Todd asked Mr. Groessl what type of lease we have with Mr. Riesterer. Mr. Groessl stated a three year cash farm lease. Dave Houfe stated that he will follow up with Mr. Riesterer in the spring on this.
Dave Houfe informed the Board that he will be attending the Rock County meeting on January 12, 2012 for the slow/no wake issue. He added that it sounds like a decision will be made by the county. Bob asked if the DNR is involved. Dave Houfe stated that the DNR has not been in attendance that he knows of. Todd stated that the stance the DNR takes is “that is your issue.” He added that it becomes the DNR’s issue only if it affects the shoreline. Todd stated that the Lake District is trying to get the slow/no wake increased to 779.0.
10. Under Report by Internal Operations Manager, Lynne presented the Board with 2012 W-4 forms and asked the Board to fill them out and return to her.
Lynne presented the Board with a current copy of the current list of telephone numbers for C.K.S.D. Barb McGann and Mr. Groessl asked Lynne to send her this list electronically.
Lynne stated that she received a telephone call from Peggy Wallace, property owner of 1617 E. Road 3. She stated that Mrs. Wallace received her tax bill on this property and it had delinquent sewer of $337.52, $30.68 of it being late fees. Lynne stated that Mrs. Wallace never received a sewer bill since she purchased the property so she claims she did not know she had to pay a sewer bill. She added that Mrs. Wallace would like the $30.68 of late fees waived. Lynne explained that she had Citi Mortgage as the owner of this property. She stated that Mrs. Wallace has owned it for over a year. Lynne stated that Ms. Wallace wanted her to ask the Board if they could waive the late fees. She referred to our Sewer Use Ordinance, Chapter II, (11) Failure to Receive Bill No Penalty Exemption. Lynne presented a copy of this section to the Board. She stated that it says that “failure to receive a sewage service bill does not relieve any person of paying the charge and also the penalty applied.” Bob asked if Citi Mortgage forwarded the bill to Mrs. Wallace. Lynne stated no. Bob asked if she is a full time resident. Lynne stated no. Mr. Groessl wondered why mortgage companies are not forwarding the bill. Lynne stated that she did not know. She stated that if they would call or send the bill back then I would at least know they do not own the property any longer and try to figure out who does. Mr. Groessl wonders if there is a way that we can note on the mortgage company bills that they should forward this on to the property owner. Bob asked if Mrs. Wallace gave Lynne an address that she wants the bill to be mailed too. Lynne stated yes. She explained that Mrs. Wallace does not have a problem paying the sewer but is asking for the late fees to be waived. Lynne reminded the Board if they decide to waive these late fees, this sets precedence for anyone else. She stated that customers are constantly asking for $1-2.00 late fees to be waived and she does not waive them. Bob does feel bad for Mrs. Wallace since she did not receive the bill but then on the other hand she should know that there was sewer there and not a septic. Lynne agreed it is unfortunate it happened. Mr. Groessl wondered if we could stamp on the bill something like “This is the only bill that will be mailed.” Barb McGann agreed. Bob wondered if they would pay any more attention to that. Todd stated that it is unfortunate that it happened but feels the customer should know they have sanitary sewer and not a septic tank. The Board agreed. The Board also agreed that they are not going to waive the late fee for Mrs. Wallace. Lynne will let Mrs. Wallace know the Board’s decision.
Lynne stated that it was brought up at the December 14, 2011 meeting for the Board to have a work session with Town & Country Engineering in six weeks or so. She added that it was suggested that the Board, Dave Houfe and Lynne make a list of issues of priority items that they feel should be addressed and also get ideas from Town & Country Engineering on these items. Lynne asked the Board if they would like to schedule a date to do this. Bob suggested a meeting in February. The Board agreed to have a special meeting on February 15, 2012 at 6:00 P.M. It was agreed that the Board will get their items or ideas they have to Lynne by our regular meeting on February 8, 2012 and then Lynne will forward the total list to Mr. Laschinger so he can go over them before the February 15, 2012 meeting.
11. There was no correspondence.
12. There were no Board requests.
There being no further business to come before the Board, Todd Sahr made a motion, seconded by Dave Anderson, to adjourn the meeting at 6:43 P.M. Motion carried.
Lynne Lund, Internal Operations Manager
Absent: None
*These minutes are NOT approved by the Board yet!!
Archive:
January 11, 2012 Monthly Meeting
December 14, 2011 Monthly Meeting
November 18, 2011 Special Meeting
November 16, 2011 Monthly Meeting
October 24, 2011 Public Hearing & Special Meeting
October 12, 2011 Monthly Meeting
October 11, 2011 Special Meeting
September 22, 2011 Budget Meeting
September 15, 2011 Monthly Meeting
August 29, 2011 Budget Meeting