Meeting Called to Order
Acting Chair John Thom called the meeting to order at 8:31a.m.
Present: John Thom, Allen Lamm, Yasser Abouaish, Glen Gerads, Jon Eaton, Bob Cockriel, John Lapointe, Ed Sorensen, David Schultz, Stew Thornley, Troy Hall, Don Christianson, Myron Volker, Bill Spain, Doug Rovang, Ben Mason, Gerry Mahon, Bernie Bullert, Bud Krause. Staff present was Scott Franzmeier.
Absent: Larry Grafenstein, Scott Anderson, Kelly Lange-Haider.
Past Minutes
Motion by Lamm to approve the minutes of October 2, 2001 and October 5, 2001 Board meetings. Second by Eaton. Passed unanimously.
Financial Report
Sorensen deferred to Franzmeier and Mahon.
Franzmeier and Mahon reported on the following:
Finance Committee report from December 19 meeting.
Issues and concerns regarding specific income line items on November 30 financial statements.
Encouraged the Board to consider raising the MN Section membership assessment.
I.R.S. and State Revenue regulations that will affect AWWA beginning in 2002:
An audit will have to be performed annually. It is yet to be determined if it will be required to have a full audit or review.
AWWA MN Section will move to an accrual basis of accounting.
After considerable discussion on several finance related questions, a motion by Lamm defer the financial report until additional investment reporting information is provided. Seconded by Schultz. Passed unanimously.
National Report
Allen Lamm provided a full written report with the following items:
President Elect elections in January for National AWWA
AWWA Budget
Efficient Utilities Update
UV Light Patent
Yasser AbouAish reported on the following:
Thanked the Board for their support on the President Elect campaign
Legislative Fly-in in March to address water systems infrastructure safety/security issues
Efficient Utilities Update and his position on the issue
Accreditation Update
Brief update on Council and Committee applications at the National level
Bernie Bullert reported on the following:
Concerned that the National WUC is dominated by large utilities and concerned
the WUC may be driving policy more than the Board on some issues. This will
be one of the issues he will address as National director.
Both Minnesota U.S. Senators support some source water items that are in the agriculture bill that will be taken up in January.
District Reports
Northwest District - Troy Hall reported on the Fall Operators School. The program was a success. Next program likely to held in Fergus Falls on December 3-5, 2002.
Northeast District - Krause reported that the next Operator School is scheduled for May 8-10 in International Falls.
Central District - Bill Spain reported there were 94 attendees for the St. John’s School. The next school will be at Rutgers from June 12-14, 2002.
Metro District - Jon Eaton reported there had been no meetings but there will be a district meeting on January 30. The Spring Operator School is scheduled for April 3-5 at the Bloomington Thunderbird.
Southwest District - No report.
Southeast District - Myron Volker reported the Fall Operator School was a success. The Spring Operator School was scheduled for March 27-29 at the Rochester Best Western Apache.
Motion by Schultz to accept the District reports. Second by Spain. Passed unanimously.
Council/Committee Reports
Administrative Council - Full written report provided by LaPointe.
Finance. No additional report.
Fuller Award. Bernie Bullert is Chair.
L.N. Thompson. John Hill is Chair.
Meritorious Service. Dick Nagy is Chair.
Nominating (Director). No report.
Nominating (Chair-Elect). John Thom and David Schultz will work together to solicit candidates.
Public Affairs Council
Public Information. No report.
Publications. 2002 Breeze Directory will be mailed in the next couple of weeks.
Water For People. Year end written report provided by Scott Anderson.
Membership. Lapointe reported that membership had declined from a high of 983 in December, 2000 to 955 in November, 2001. Lapointe indicated the nationwide trend shows a decline in membership overall. The Board discussed at length the need to “re-energize” the membership committee.
Scholarship. The committee awarded four water management institute scholarships in 2001. The committee awarded three advanced degrees in 2001. The committee recommended changing the qualifications and applications for the programs and to increase efforts to promote the scholarships.
Gimmicks & Gadgets. No report.
Small Systems Council
Announced there appeared to be renewed interest in increasing the activities of the small systems.
Ambassador. Planning to have a meeting in February to begin planning for the year.
Mentor. Planning to have a meeting in February to begin planning for the year.
Training Council
Education. No report. Thornley reported on the success of the first Youth Education Program in 2001 and plans for at least one additional program in 2002. Also discussed funding possibilities for future programs.
Management Schools. 2002 Water Management Institute brochure is ready and being distributed to potential participants.
Safety. No report.
Research. Thornley reported on research program on Distribution Water Quality on November 7, 2001. The committee is planning a Surface Water Treatment for May 21-22, 2002 in Fargo.
Manufacturers / Associates Council - Written report provided by Ben Mason
The Manufacturer’s Council agreed to take on the responsibilities of planning the Conference and Spring Golf tournaments.
Commercial. No report.
Endowment. Verne Jacobsen had agreed to become Chair of the Endowment Committee.
Water Utility Council
Energy. No report.
Legislative Affairs. Bob Cockriel announced he had been named to the State terrorism task force as the representative for AWWA. Franzmeier provided a brief report on the status of the 2002 Minnesota Legislative Session.
Conference Council
Conference Program. Jay Whitaker and John Thom are co-chairs. Will be having first meeting in January.
Conference Spouse. David Schultz will take the lead on recruiting volunteers to develop the program.
Conference House. No report.
Conference Local Arrangements - Bill Spain and David Schultz will co-chair. No report. Tour of facility at 2 p.m. after the Board meeting.
ACE Reception - Troy Hall announced he is waiting for the national president elect election before determining what type of reception to hold at the Annual Conference in New Orleans.
Motion by Eaton to accept the Council reports. Second by Volker. Passed unanimously.
Unfinished Business
2003 Conference Location - Troy Hall proposed two locations for the 2003 conference – Detroit Lakes and Moorhead. After considerable discussion, a motion was made by Lamm that the Minnesota Section 2003 Conference be held in Moorhead if hotel costs can be brought down to an acceptable level, the facility is completed and the trade show space can accommodate the needs. Seconded by Gerads. Passed unanimously.
Youth Chapter - Glen Gerads reported on the recent successful recruitment efforts.
Association Services Update - The Board discussed at length the services of Ewald Consulting. Pursuant to this discussion, the Executive Committee will meet with Ewald to negotiate a new contract. Key elements of the new contract will include a fixed retainer for Legislative Liaison activities, and an hourly rate for Administrative Services and Conference Arrangements.
Recognizing that the Chair position is currently vacant due to the passing of Jim Haugen, a motion was introduced by Jon Eaton nominating John Thom to the position of Chair, and David Schultz to the position of Past Chair, to serve the balance of the current terms for those offices. Motion was seconded by Troy Hall and approved unanimously.
Finally, Jon Eaton has suggested we create an electronic letterhead to replace hard copies and thus eliminate reproduction costs of same.He has agreed to develop the template.
New Business
St. Cloud Technical College Program Status. Bill Spain reported on the status of the St. Cloud Technical Program. The major issues included funding concerns due to the State budget, class sizes will be lowered (will cut graduates in half), and Keith Redman has been laid off. Spain requested feedback and assistance from the Board on how to combat funding issues in particular. He encouraged Board members to contact the school’s administration about the importance of this program. The Board asked several questions and discussed the issue at length. A motion was made by Lamm to develop a resolution and letter of support to the Dean of St. Cloud Technical College. Seconded by Sorensen. Motion passed unanimously.
Motion by Lamm to approve supporting Water for People with a recent $500.00 anonymous donation as requested by the donor. Seconded by Schultz. Motion passed unanimously.
Next Meeting
The Spring Board meeting was set for Friday, May 17, 2001, at 8:30 a.m. at the Cragun’s in Brainerd, MN.
Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 1:55 p.m
