Water Utility Council
Minutes
March 15, 2001
10:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.
Fire Station #1, Bloomington

Attendance:
Dick Clark, Bob Cockriel, Chris Elvrum, Scott Franzmeier, Ruth Hubbard, Jim Japs, Bob Lenertz, Cliff McLain, Bob Peplin, Doug Rovang, Dave Scheerer, David Schultz

Meeting Called to Order
Cockriel opened meeting at 10:05 a.m.

Approval of Minutes
Minutes of the last meeting, December 14, 2000, were accepted by consent with changes to the DNR report.

Congress, EPA Update
Peplin provided a handout of various documents on Congressional and EPA issues related to the water industry. Peplin especially pointed out the AWWA letter to EPA regarding the chlorine/pesticides issue.

Legislative Report
Franzmeier reported on the following items:

- Length of current session and anticipated adjournment dates - Senate and House still meeting only two days per week - Provided a copy of bills Ewald is tracking for AWWA - Reported on the status of the AWWA sales tax exemption bill related to capitol equipment and electricity. Briefly explained process for passing the bill.

State Related Water Issues

Miscellaneous Updates

Metro Area Groundwater Alliance
Elvrum reported that the annual groundwater festival is the primary project. Also reported that the group is performing a recharge (aquifers) study with USGS.

Gopher State One Call
No report.

Environmental Quality Board
No report.

Reports

Minnesota Rural Water Association
Hubbard reported on the following items:

- Annual state conference just completed and was a very big success. - MRWA members are going to Washington DC in May to discuss rural water issues with Congress.

Minnesota Dept. of Health
Clark reported on the following items:

- Ongoing arsenic issues - Upcoming minor changes to water operator certifications - EPA apparently reconsidering the chlorine/pesticides issue. Bush administration needs to make a decision of what to do soon. - Began lengthy discussion about the potential issues that may arise for management and employees is new EPA requirements include same certification level standby for 24/7/365.

Met Council
Elvrum reported on the following items:

- Twin City communities will soon be receiving copies of the recently completed water use report by community. - Met Council is reviewing ongoing well issues - Next project will be designing a groundwater model for NW Hennepin County. The project is being done due to the projected growth of the area.

Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources
Japs reported on the following:

- Council of Great Lakes Governors had received comments regarding additional protection for Great Lakes. More work needs to be done with Canada and several issues must still be addressed but they are moving forward. - General Mills Once Trough System – Almost 50 comments were received, almost all opposed, during the environmental review. General Mills decided to reverse its efforts and DNR has granted a short-term extension so General Mills can perform work on conversion of systems. - DNR bill in Minnesota Legislature and its impact (HF1612/ SF1434) - Permit requests outside metro are stacking up due to staffing issues/changes. Position will be filled soon.

MUCA Activities
No report.

AWWA Issues
Schultz announced that Yasser Abouaish had been elected Vice President of the Association and had to decide if he was willing to run for President.

Mason and Franzmeier will continue to work on the Washington DC Congressional cocktail hour scheduled for June 20, 2001.

Discussion/Action

Association Management Update
Franzmeier reported on the following:

- Conference planning ongoing – meeting to be held at the St. Paul Radisson. - Five members of the Board and Franzmeier will be meeting in April or May to re-evaluate/refocus the services of Ewald to AWWA.

Secretary / Treasurer
No report.

New Business
Rovang announced he had been selected to serve on the National WUC for one year as a non-voting member. He accepted the position.

Next meeting
Thursday, June 7, 2001 10:00 am, Bloomington Fire Station #1.

Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 11:41 a.m.

 

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