Water
Utility Council
Minutes
March 20, 2003
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Bloomington Water Treatment Plant
ATTENDANCE:
Bob Cockriel, Glen Gerads, Doug Rovang, Steve Gleason, Cliff McLain, Dick Nagy, Pat Shea, Ed Sorensen, Chad Hill, Dave Scheerer, Jim Japs, Jon Eaton
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
Chairman Cockriel called the meeting to order at 10:05 a.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Minutes of the December 12, 2002 meeting were approved.
Motion by Dick Nagy, Second by Doug Rovang.
Bob Cockriel noted the availability of Section Meeting Minutes on the Website.
CONGRESS, EPA UPDATE
Bob Peplin was not present. Steve Gleason carried information from Bernie Bullert of Congressional bills being supported by AWWA. Drafts of these bills include: PROTECTING WATER SYSTEMS FROM TERRORISM, SECURITY TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, CHEMICAL SECURITY ACT, REINVESTING IN WATER INFRASTRUCTURE, and PRESERVING DRINKING WATER STANDARDS.
A letter to Mr. G. Tracy Mehan III, Assistant Administrator for the EPA from the American Water Works Association, Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, National Association of Water Companies, and National Rural Water Association referred to a September 2000 agreement in principal to the Stage 2 Disinfectant and Disinfection By-Products Rulemaking. The letter states concerns that indicate that the EPA proposed rulemaking is not in keeping with the substance and effect of that Agreement.
Doug Rovang commented that in his opinion REINVESTING IN DRINKING WATER INFRASTRUCTURE through SRF funds are too complicated and seems to be turning into a “grant” program for large utilities. The CHEMICAL SECURITY bill should be endorsed by our section with a letter from the WUC addressed to our congressional representatives and hand carried by Doug during the Washington, D.C. Fly-In
Motion made by Doug Rovang, Seconded by Cliff McClain. Doug will also be carrying some “streamlined” bills that he will be lobbying for. Dick Nagy endorsed that idea but stated that the CHEMICAL SECURITY bill should be a stand-alone letter. Approved.
LEGISLATIVE REPORT
Bernie Bullert not present. Steve Gleason reported the EPA and Congressional information for Bernie.
Chris Johnson from the League of Minnesota Cities will be attending the Water Utility Council meeting as our legislative representative.
STATE RELATED WATER ISSUES
MISCELLANEOUS-UPDATES
AS NEEDED
A. Metro Area Ground Water Alliance
No representative.
B. Gopher State One Call
No representative.
Dick Nagy voiced concerns about new proposed GSOC legislative revisions for locations and billing, with the proposed elimination of credit for “no locate required.”
It was suggested that the WUC draft a letter to the GSOC that we do not support this proposed change and copy the League on Minnesota Cities. It should also include language about contractor abuse of “emergency “ locates. Motion by Dick Nagy, Seconded by Pat Shea and Doug Rovang Seconded the amended version to include contractor abuse. Approved.
C. Environmental Quality Board
No representative.
REPORTS
A. Minnesota Rural Water Association
No representative.
B. Minnesota Department of Health
No representative.
C. Metropolitan Council
No representative.
D. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Jim Japs reported that the DNR is down 21% in funding. Losing 10 positions. Looking at fee increases for water use permits. Example:
$4.50 per million gallons increases to $6.50 per million gallons.
State matching funds are being withheld from the Lewis & Clark project (10% matching funds).
The hearings for Lakeville lowering domestic wells—five complaints remaining—will be in May.
The Council of Great Lakes Governors are looking at ways of water diversions, or not, from the Great Lakes.
E. MUCA Activities – MAC
No representative/
F. Association Director
No representative.
DISCUSSION – ACTION
A. Secretary/Treasurer
Jon Eaton reported that payments from AWWA came in February ($21,000).
B. Old
Business/New Business
Doug Rovang suggested that we reactivate the WUC subcommittee Legislative
Affairs. Volunteers: Ed Sorensen, Dick Nagy Pat Shea, Bob
Cockriel, Steve Gleason. There is an
attempt to convince Dick to chair this committee.
C. Glen Gerads reported that the Water Utility Management Institute had 21 attendees.
NEXT MEETING
Date to be decided
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Possible Location – St. Paul WTP
ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:55 a.m.
Back
to Water Utility Council Meetings Page
