AWWA Minnesota Section – Young Professionals Committee

 

Conference Call

10:00am, Friday, January 20, 2006

 

Meeting Minutes

 

             I.      Roll Call

 

a)         Attendees included John Chlebeck (SEH), Chris Glassing (ACIPCO),

Bo Johnston (BV), Doug Klamerus (SEH), Paul Morken (PCE), and

Brian Zinnel (PCE)    

 

b)         An updated contact list will be emailed with meeting minutes.  If revisions are necessary, send Chris Glassing an email with changes.

 

          II.      Review and Approve Minutes from past meeting

 

a)         Chris Glassing moved to accept meeting minutes from November 18, 2005 meeting.  Doug Klamerus seconded.

 

       III.      Review and Approve Agenda

 

a)         Chris Glassing opened the floor for any changes to the meeting agenda.  No comments regarding additions/deletions.  Chris Glassing moved to accept the agenda as submitted.  Brian Zinnel seconded.

 

        IV.      Unfinished Business

 

A.     Facility Tours

1.      Cold Springs Brewery Tour

a)         It was decided to tentatively schedule the tour for the week of the Minnesota Rural Water Association annual conference in St. Cloud, MN.  To avoid interference with the MRWA conference the planned brewery tour will need to be held on Monday or Thursday afternoon.  It was decided that Thursday would be the best day to maximize attendance.  The last scheduled event is the operator testing beginning at 1:00 pm on Thursday, March 9, 2006.  It was determined that the Brewery is located approximately 16 miles from downtown St. Cloud.  Brian Zinnel suggested that YP host a social immediately after testing.  Chris Glassing suggested the Green Mill since it is connected to the civic center where the MWRA conference is being held.  Brian Zinnel will work with Pat Shea and Chris Glassing to determine the best time for the social and brewery tour.  Brian Zinnel will organize advertisement for the event in the “This Month is MN AWWA (Jon Eaton)” and the “Waterline” (Stew Thornley).  An update on this event will be forwarded to all members.

 

2.      DeZurik – Sartell, MN (Kevin Renslow) –

a)         No update

 

3.      Local Well Driller (Brian Zinnel) –

a)         Brian explained the logistical difficulty in participating in a site visit, however we could visit a well drillers shop to see the equipment used in the drilling process.  If there is an interest from the committee members, Brian will set up a tour.

 

4.      Minneapolis UF Plant (Chris Glassing)

a)         Bo Johnston suggested we contact Dale Folen at Minneapolis Water Works.  Doug Klamerus will contact Dale to discuss this opportunit.y.

 

5.      Other Ideas

a)         Bo Johnston gave suggestions for two breweries in the Twin Cities that might be a good place to host a YP event.  Summit (St. Paul) and James Page (Minneapolis).  Chris Glassing suggested YP could organize a tour/social in conjunction with the Metro District AWWA Operators School in April.

 

b)         John Chlebeck suggested a tour of the New Brighton WTP.  They utilize an activated carbon filtration system. The plant operator is eager to share information and host tours of their plant.

 

B.     Community Service Project

1.      Water Tower Competition update/course of action (Drew Hess)

a)      There was no update regarding the progress of this project.  Chris Glassing expressed concern regarding the Committees lack of movement to establish a community service project.  Chris Glassing asked if the Committee should continue to explore this opportunity or consider another project.  

b)      Chris Glassing suggested a poster competition that was uncovered by some research that Brad Forester had performed.  Another section within AWWA put on a poster competition that involved two groups; grades 1-3 and grades 4-6.  The competition involved the students submitting a poster having to do with water.  Brian Zinnel offered comments that the contest could very easily be administered as well as no geographic boundaries.  The contest could be open to all children including children of current AWWA members.  Chris Glassing will forward more information on such a contest for further Committee review. 

c)      Doug Klamerus offered comments that the Committee should not drop the Water Tower Competition from its plans.  Chris Glassing asked for volunteers to help Drew Hess with the development of this competition.  Doug Klamerus offered to help Drew Hess.  Any other members of the Committee that can offer assistance are encouraged to contact Drew Hess.

 

C.     Social Event

1.      Brewery Tour – sponsored by YP

a)   See update above

 

2.      Annual Conference Social – sponsored by YP

a)   Brian Zinnel and Jeff Yeschick are exploring the opportunity to have the YP Committee host the reception preceding the banquet.  This is typically a Thursday evening event at the Annual Conference.  Chris Glassing asked for ideas to stimulate interaction (contest) at the reception.  Members with any ideas should contact Brian Zinnel.

b)   A suggestion from Jeff Yeschick was presented that the YP Committee members to be assigned as moderators at the Annual Conference.  Jeff performed the moderator function at the 2005 meeting.  He commented the positive experience with many opportunities to meet individuals within the section.  Any members interested in participating should contact Jeff Yeschick. 

 

D.    Policies & Procedures update

1.      Draft Guidance Document – approve at next meeting

a)   Chris Glassing asked for comments on the document.  John Chlebeck suggested the addition of a description for each sub-committee.  Chris Glassing will make changes.  This document will be voted on for approval at our next meeting.  All members are encouraged to forward comments/additions/deletions to Chris Glassing before the next Committee meeting.

 

E.     Sub-Committee Reports

1.      Membership (Todd Butz)

a)  Chris Glassing appointed Todd Butz to chair this committee. 

b)  Chris Glassing suggested this committee seek approval from the board to offer scholarships for a 1 year student membership.  The committee could organize a lunch/dinner seminar to colleges to discuss AWWA and career opportunities.  Bo Johnston offered his positive experience where AWWA spoke MEESE at the U of M.  He explained that AWWA had offered free entry to the annual conference.  Bo suggested we consider a similar approach.  Any members interested in being part of this committee should contact Todd Butz.

 

2.      Social (Brian Zinnel)

a.      Brian Zinnel discussed the importance of YP members to socialize within our Committee as well as with other members within the organization.  He discussed YP hosting the reception at the Annual Conference as well as the Brewery/Social being organized in conjunction with the MRWA conference

 

 

 

3.      Public Affairs (Drew Hess)

a)         No updates at this time

 

4.      Fresh Ideas (Brad Forester)

a)         The committee (Brad Forester) has prepared a draft outlining the details of the competition.  The competition will involve prizes for winners that will need to attain board approval.  The draft document will be presented to YP members for review and comments.

 

           V.      New Business

 

A.     Website updates

a)         Chris Glassing expressed concern that the website has not been updated since the last meeting in 2004.  Brian Zinnel will update the YP brochure.  Chris Glassing will submit the updated brochure and all past meeting minutes to Stew Thornley for posting on the website.  Chris Glassing will prepare a list of upcoming meetings to be posted on the website.

 

B.     Membership

a)         See above

 

        VI.      Announcements and Schedule next meeting

a)         Chris Glassing thanked everyone for their participation in the conference call.  The Committee is interested in comments on how the conference call worked and if we should consider using conference calls in the future.  Please forward comments to Chris Glassing.  The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, March 9, 2006 in St. Cloud.