Water Utility Council
Minutes
June 7, 2001
10:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.
Fire Station #1, Bloomington

Attendance:
Bob Cockriel, Scott Franzmeier, Kurt Johnson, Ed Sorensen, Gary Englund, Mike Tietz, Adam Kramer, Ruth Hubbard, Jim Japs, Verne Jacobsen, Patrick Shea, David Allen, Yasser Abouaish, Jim Haugen, Cliff McLain, Doug Rovang

Meeting Called to Order
Cockriel opened meeting at 10:00 a.m.

Approval of Minutes
Minutes of the last meeting were accepted as written.

Congress, EPA Update
In Peplin’s absence, Cockriel provided a written report from Peplin with various items for review.

Legislative Report
Franzmeier reported on the following items:

- Provided information on the G.R. Luncheon planned in conjunction with the ACE in Washington D.C. 
- Provided information sheets developed by AWWA on arsenic, infrastructure, and source point protection
- Announced the “Water Matters!” rally scheduled on the steps of the U.S. Capitol in conjunction with the ACE
- Reported that the sales tax exemption effort by the Minnesota Section was dead for the 2001 legislative session
- Provided a copy of HF 1310, related to construction projects. After review, the WUC felt the membership should be informed since it could affect some cities.

State Related Water Issues

Miscellaneous Updates

Metro Area Groundwater Alliance
No report.

Gopher State One Call
Kramer reported on the following items: Gopher State is a year or two out before any changes, 911 issues, Finance Committee items, Fox News report he was involved with related to the Procurement Process.

Environmental Quality Board
Mike Tietz reported there had been no recent EQB meeting due to staff changes. He said a meeting would be held soon.

Reports

Minnesota Rural Water Association
Hubbard reported on the following items:

- Large difference in cost of arsenic. MRWA has collected data on rural Minnesota cities.
- National water rally in Washington DC was successful. Reported Mark Kennedy has been informed of issues.

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

- Budget process went well – Analysis testing fee increase passed
- CCR’s are due by July 1st
- Meeting in Chicago for UWL related to the quality of bottled water
- Louis & Clark Rural Water Project update – 10 year project
- Arsenic issues – announced it will probably stay at 10 which would affect approximately 50 systems in Minnesota. 2006 set date. All point of entry systems. Preparing for funding at the State level.
- Operators Certification Rule items
- SRF Program update

Met Council
No report.

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

- DNR passed bill without APO – permitting for feedlots, etc.
- Louis & Clark received some state funding
- Camp Cold Water Spring could have impact on water use
- Great Lakes Charter Annex written, amended and will be signed by participating governors soon.
- Kristen Wilson has recently been hired by DNR

MUCA Activities
No report.

AWWA Issues
Abouaish reported on the following:

- Source water Assessment/Protection
- Cost of regulations – evaluating the EPA method

National WUC Report
Rovang reported on the following:

- Legislative Affairs Committee meeting was held in March and the meeting went very well. Committee is focusing on education. - 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 – conference brochure to be ready in mid July. Vendors will receive trade show packet in June.
- State Fair prep is ongoing. The Section will be using the St. Paul booth this year.
- Conference issue of the Breeze is on time to be mailed in the middle of August

Secretary / Treasurer
Written report provided on the Minnesota Section Annual Conference program in October and the change to the guest program, Yasser’s run for the President Elect position of AWWA, AWWA ACE in Washington DC.

Old & New Business
None

Next meeting
October 4, 2001 7:00 am, Radisson in St. Paul.

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