Water Utility Council
Minutes
October 3, 2002
7:25 A.M. – 9:30 AM
Annual Conference, Cragun’s

Attendance:
Bob Cockriel, Doug Rovang, Kurt Johnson, Ben Mason, Bernie Bullert, Bud Krause, Dave Scheerer, Dick Nagy, Cliff McLain, Ruth Hubbard, Adam Kramer.

Meeting Called to Order
Chairman Cockriel called the meeting to order at 7:25 a.m.

Approval of Minutes
Minutes of the June 6, 2002 meeting were approved.

Congress, EPA Update
None

Legislative Report
Bernie Bullert discussed chlorine safety requirements to be pulled from VA. Rob Renner attended the National WUC meeting on October 2-3, 2002, dealing with same issues as these. VA tools being developed for small/medium systems by Sandra Cabe.

State Related Water Issues
Miscellaneous Updates

Metro Area Groundwater Alliance
No report

Gopher State One Call
Adam Kramer had nothing new to report

Environmental Quality Board
No activity to report. Kurt will check on upcoming meetings and issues

Reports

Minnesota Rural Water Association
It was reported that VA reporting tool has been developed by MRW and State. On-line tool through web site. “Draft Letter” from Ruth for minutes.

Group discussion on VA ensured with Adam Kramer, Doug Rovang, and Rob Renner leading discussion on Freedom of Information Act issues.

Bernie Bullert indicated that League of Minnesota Cities would lead lobbying for legislative changes for the Freedom of Information Act. National AWWA position is that VA should not be sent to EPA, rather, it should go to the Office of Homeland Security.

Legislative action of Open Meeting Laws and Information to be addressed by LAC of WUC. A task force made up of Bernie, Doug and Ruth should progress with this.

Bernie Bullert suggested a small grant program be formed to assist in possible comm. Water system via legislation action.

Minnesota Dept. of Health

Met Council

Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources

MUCA Activities
Ben Mason presented information on lobbying issues for infrastructure funding at state and national level. Suggests that MnAWWA formalize a relationship with MUCA to help promote job site visits and infrastructure improvements

AWWA Issues
Bernie Bullert presented information on the following items: Chemical security and VA e-mails from National WUC. Membership make-up of the National WUC was discussed. To large cities with almost no small/medium systems represented.

AWWA budget looks to be balanced or slightly into the “blade.” Slight increase for next year. Finance Committee to review it in next couple of weeks.

National WUC Report
Doug Rovang said chlorine issues were discussed at the legislature in Washington. Other items discussed were small utilities representation on WUC, discussion of AWWA diversity of attention spread themselves too thin, small/medium systems are not given as much “say” or attention as large utilities, rooting around for money, radon discussion highlighted how well AWWA scientifically approaches issues, MAC/MUCA representative at June WUC meeting, suggests each Sec. WUC Chair attends a National WUC meeting, AWWA slightly involved in the UV lawsuit. AWWA will take lead on lawsuit about patent on use of UV for disinfection against Calgon. Calgon is a member of AWWA, thus making it difficult to challenge patent by Calgon. Discussion followed.

Discussion/Action

WUC Make-up
Chair Cockriel discussed efforts to better align current and future Water Utility Council membership with the by-laws governing the WUC. Specifically, term limits and number of voting members are currently out of alignment with the by-laws and must be made right. A plan to do so was discussed and presented to both the WUC members present today as well as the Executive Board at their meeting this week at the Annual Conference.

Sales Tax Issue Should Be Promoted by LMC
Bernie Bullert stated that, in discussions with staff of LMC, they are in favor of promoting to the Legislature the exemption of public utilizes from paying state sales tax. Utility Accreditation Program should be promoted by the WUC. Bernie also discussed the fact that National is promoting its Utility Accreditation Program and wondered if the WUC should get behind this effort in the MN Section

Next meeting
December 12, 2002 at the Bloomington Water Treatment Plant, 9300 Poplar Bridge Rd. 952-563-4905.

Adjourn
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:35 a.m.

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