Clearwater River Watershed District

Regular meeting was called to order at 7:00p.m. by Chairperson Eckman. Manager’s Clarence Klein, Roland Froyen, Marvin Brunsell, John Tracy and Richard Eckman were present. Others in attendance were Norm Wenck, Stan Weinberger, Merle Anderson, Kelly Bergesch, Virl Liebrenz, Kathy Pool, Mark Kampa and Roger Eckoff.

Motion #01-06-1: A motion was made by Tracy and seconded by Froyen to adopt the agenda. All Managers voted aye.

Motion #01-06-2: A motion was made by Brunsell and seconded by Froyen to accept the May 9, 2001 regular meeting minutes.  All Managers voted aye.

Motion #01-06-3: A motion was made by Brunsell and seconded by Klein to accept the June 13, 2001 Financial Report and pay bills. All Managers voted aye.

Motion #01-06-4: A motion was made by Klein and seconded by Tracy to send a letter of thanks to Gene Lotts for his and Richard Strutman’s efforts to secure funding for the Steve Nistler sediment basin construction costs.   All Managers voted aye.

Motion #01-06-5: A motion was made by Froyen and seconded by Tracy to authorize Manager Brunsell, Kelly Bergersch and Administrator Anderson to gather more information regarding accounting systems and to order software.  All Managers voted aye.

Kathy Pool, farmer resident of the District, explained to the Board her plans to upgrade her manure handling system. Kathy explained that the proposed changes will allow her to inject manure spring and fall and eliminate winter and summer surface applications. She requested financial assistance from the CRWD to help cover costs. The changes are expected to reduce potential phosphorus loading into the surface water of the District. Kathy will present more information at the next meeting.

Kathy Pool left the meeting at 7:50p.m.

Stan Weinberger, Attorney, presented the Board of Managers with a memorandum that explains Minnesota statute limitations placed on watershed districts as it relates to operation and maintenance of sanitary sewer systems. This memorandum is on file at the Administrator’s office.

Motion #01-06-6: A motion was made by Brunsell and seconded by Froyen to submit a resolution to the Minnesota Association of Watershed Districts that would give watershed districts the same authority as cities in the development, operation, maintenance and billing for sanitary sewer services. This resolution is on file at the Administrator’s office.  All Managers voted aye.

Kelly Bergesch left the meeting at 8:10p.m.

Motion #01-06-7: A motion was made by Tracy and seconded by Froyen to authorize Stan Weinberger, Attorney, and Norm Wenck, Engineer, to develop procedures, policy and sanitary sewer and wastewater treatment standards for sanitary sewer systems installed in the CRWD. All Managers voted aye.

Administrator Anderson will contact Stearns County Environmental Services Department regarding erosion control measures and proposed sewer system on the  Restawhile Shores plat.

Manager Tracy updated the Board that Clearwater Forest has been ordered by Stearns County to upgrade their sanitary sewer system.

Virl Lebrenz, Clearwater Harbor resident, was commended by the Board of Managers for his attendance and comments at a recent Stearns County board meeting. Virl and other residents of Clearwater Harbor will attend a joint Stearns County Board and CRWD meeting on June 22, 2001 at 7p.m. at Lynden Town Hall to continue discussion regarding solutions to septic issues in the area. Administrator Anderson mentioned that CRWD is continuing to seek funding that could be used to reduce the local cost of a community sewer system.

Motion #01-06-8: A motion was made by Froyen and seconded by Tracy to call a special joint meeting with the Stearns County Board of Commissioners for June 22, 2001. All Managers voted aye.

Mark Kampa and Roger Eckoff, Lake Augusta residents, asked the Board of Managers how to proceed with assessments that could be used for a milfoil treatment plan on Lake Augusta. It was explained that their group must submit a petition to the District signed by 25% of the residents or a petition representing 25% of the land ownership on the area to be included in the plan. This will be discussed further at our July meeting.

Mark Kampa and Roger Eckoff left the meeting at 9:10p.m.

Motion #01-06-9: A motion was made by Tracy and seconded by Froyen to assess $12,000 liquidated damages against Latour Construction for delays in the construction of the Hidden River Sanitary Sewer System. All Managers voted aye.

Administrator Anderson informed the Board that U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service appraisal of land in the Clear Lake Wetland Treatment System East is in progress.

Administrator Anderson will get publicity out about the July 21, 2001 Tour of Projects.

Administrator Anderson informed the Board of the excellent cooperation received from the city of Annandale and the Wright County Soil and Water Conservation District during site plan and plat review by the CRWD.

Manager Brunsell reported that the bog removal has been completed on Grass Lake at a total cost of $13,617.22. The Department of Natural Resources will be billed for $6,000. Jerry DeRosier and Dave Johnson, residents of the area, are to be commended for their assistance in the bog removal.

Norm Wenck, Engineer, expressed his appreciation to all local units of government who attended the Master Sanitary Sewer Meeting on June 6, 2001 in Annandale. He felt the information was well received. We look forward to continuing our dialog with them. Norm suggested that in late July we hold a public informational meeting regarding the Master Sanitary Sewer Plan.

Norm Wenck, Engineer, will bring a proposal to the next meeting outlining format and costs associated with developing a brochure that explains the Master Sanitary Sewer Plan and other district activities.

Administrator Anderson informed the Board that he has received a notice stating that  the Lucille Asfeld property that is in the Watkins Wetland, has a tax judgment placed on it.

Administrator Anderson informed the Board that the Board of Soil and Water Resources, Reliant Energy Minnegasco and Stearns Electric Association will not be funding our silt sediment investigation project.

Motion #01-06-10: A motion was made by Tracy and seconded by Froyen to authorize Glen Sanders of Wenck Associates Inc. to conduct the topog survey for Brad Liebbesmeier.  All Managers voted aye.

Motion #01-06-11: A motion was made by Brunsell and seconded by Tracy to sign  the $6,800 Board of Water and Soil Resources Watershed Management Planning Grant. All Managers voted aye.

Motion #01-06-12: A motion was made by Brunsell and seconded by Klein to conduct four additional fecal coliform samplings and tests on Warner Creek at an estimated cost of $2,000. All Managers voted aye.

Norm Wenck, Engineer,  distributed his annual inspection report to the Board of Managers for their review. This will be a decision item at the next meeting.

Motion #01-06-13: A motion was made by Klein and seconded by Tracy to adjourn the meeting. All Managers voted aye.

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