Chair John Thom called the meeting to order at 11:01 a.m.

Present: John Thom, Allen Lamm, Yasser Abouaish, James Haugen, Troy Hall, Myron Volker, Glen Gerads, Richard Nagy, Bud Krause, Scott Anderson, David Schultz, David Allen, Bob Cockriel, John Hill, Kelly Lange-Haider, John LaPointe, Jon Eaton, Gerry Mahon. Staff present was Scott Franzmeier.

Absent: Terry Reisch.

Gerads requested the Board review the motion as stated on the September 15 minutes, under "New Business", Item C, related to the Breeze and whether or not the motion made was accurate. After some discussion motion by Lamm to approve the minutes of September 11, 2000 and September 15, 2000 Board meetings. Second by Krause. Passed unanimously.

D. Allen presented the financial report for the year-end 2000 (written report provided). Allen reported briefly on the Association's continued decline in assets due to investment losses, increase expenses and, in some cases, lower than expected income for some areas.

Mahon presented the Finance Committee Report (written report provided). The Board discussed at length the issue of requesting financial support from vendor companies at one time for the entire year rather than piecemeal by event. Mahon also provided the Board options developed by the Finance Committee for increasing income and limiting expenses of the Section. After some considerable and significant discussion, the Board reached consensus on the following to schedule a full special Board meeting in March to discuss income/expense issues. David Allen, Scott Franzmeier and the Finance Committee would develop the framework of the March meeting based on email/phone call feedback from the Board.

Motion by Nagy to approve the financial report. Second by Gerads. Passed unanimously.

AWWA Director Allen reported the web based advertising and selling of products. Also reported that the National Board would be voting for Vice President and that Yasser Abouaish was a candidate. Also reported that the AWWA & WEF merger is not going to happen in the near future.

AWWA Director-At-Large Yasser Abouaish reported on the two candidates for President Elect. Also reported Verne Jacobsen had been recommended to receive the Honorary Membership. Also reported that Chisholm and Thief River Falls would be recognized for 50 years of service.

Motion by Gerads to approve the national report. Second by Schultz. Passed unanimously.

Northwest District. Troy Hall reported on the November Operators School. It was very successful. Next school schedule for December 2001 in Thief River Falls.

Northeast District. Krause reported that the May 2000 Operator School was very successful. Planning Operator School for May 2001 in Biwabik.

Central District. Nagy reported that 102 attendees participated in the October St. John's Operator School. It was very successful.

Metro District. January 31 Annual Meeting for the District. Planning April Operator Scholl.

Southwest District. No report.

Southeast District. One-day school in October. Currently planning spring school.

Motion by Lamm to accept the District reports. Second by Abouaish. Passed unanimously.

Administrative Council - Full written report provided by LaPointe.

Action Now Committee. No report.

Breakfast Committee. Schultz reported on the tentatively scheduled luncheon program in Washington DC in conjunction with the AWWA Annual Meeting. Minnesota's Congressional members will be invited. Schultz reported that Mason would be planning the event. Schultz stated he would be requesting funds from the Board under Other Business.

Commercial Committee. Tom Mumm will continue as Chair.

Endowment Committee. Franzmeier provided a brief report on the status of the 2001 solicitation mailing.

Finance Committee. No additional report.

Fuller Award Committee. No report.

Thompson Award Committee. No report.

Meritorious Service Award Committee. No report.

No report from the Chair-elect Nominating Committee. Lamm announced a new Director would be elected at the Annual Meeting in October. Schultz announced he would be pursuing three nominees for the Chair elect position.

Scholarship Committee. LaPointe announced he would be working more closely with this committee in 2001 to reach more people with scholarships.

Public Affairs Council - Full written reports provided by Lange-Haider.

Membership Committee. Lange-Haider reported briefly on the activities of the Membership Committee. LaPointe briefly reported on the success of the membership program over the last few years.

Public Information Committee. Lange-Haider reported on press releases, the Fair Booth and the web site.

Publications. - Lange-Haider reported on the Light Breeze plan. Advertisers have started to get the information related to this plan. The timing of the Breeze was also discussed related to the Annual Conference.

Schultz motioned to approve the Public Information Committee recommendation to differentiate the advertisers by listing full-page ad advertisers with blue ink and half page advertisers in bold lettering in black ink. Seconded by Abouaish. Motion carried unanimously.

Water for People. Anderson provided a year-end Water for People report. Reported it was a very successful year.

Lamm motioned to have the Section pay for lodging costs for Anderson when he travels on behalf of Water for People. Volker seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

Small Systems Council

Small Systems Committee. No report.

Technical Professional Council - Full written report provided by Eaton.

Energy Committee. No report.

Research Committee. Working on a technology transfer meeting/workshop with AWWARF.

Conservation Committee. Eaton reported that the Water Utility Council is already addressing a lot of the conservation issues. Eaton recommended that the Board dissolve the conservation committee.

Lamm motioned that the Board dissolve the conservation committee and conservation issues will be part of the Water Utility Council. Seconded by Anderson. Motion carried.

Training Council - Full written report from Hill, Jr.

Education Committee. Thom reported on the Youth Education initiative efforts over the last several months.

Water Management Institute. Abouaish reported on the current planning efforts for the 2001 program.

Safety Committee. Cockriel resigned as Chair to become Chair of the Water Utility Council. Duane Schwartz of Roseville has agreed to serve as Safety Committee Chair.

Water Utility Council - Cockriel reported that the Water Utility Council had sent a letter to EPA in regards to the chlorine reclassification issue. Also reported on the tax-exempt status efforts related to capital equipment and electricity. Efforts are going well so far with the 2001 Legislature.

Abouaish motioned to approve the Council reports. Lamm seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

John LaPointe reported briefly on the program planning for the Annual Conference.

Helga Kessler reported on the tentative agenda and budget for the Spouse & Guest Program for the Annual Conference.

Franzmeier reported on the conference house planning, the hotel arrangements, budget planning and publication/marketing dates.

Dick Nagy reported that the Central District had gone through a selection process for the 2002 conference location. After some discussion, Nagy motioned that the Minnesota Section enter in contract with Cragun's for the 2002 Conference. Seconded by Lamm. Motion carried.

Franzmeier briefly reported that the Mentor and Ambassador Programs had begun. As of the end of December, four formal requests for assistance had been made for mentor assistance. Haugen recommended the Mentor/Ambassador Program be considered for its own committee at the May meeting. Cockriel recommended the past three Chairs be considered as committee members.

Schultz asked the Board to consider some type of subsidy to help hold the Congressional Luncheon in conjunction with the AWWA Conference in Washington DC. After considerable discussion, the Commercial Committee was asked to review the funding issue and report back at the March Board meeting.

Gerads reported on some interest to create a Student Chapter of the Minnesota Section. He reported that Bill Spain in St. Cloud was interested in helping. After some discussion, the Board requested that Gerads research this issue further and report back to the Board in May.

The Spring Board meeting was set for Friday, May 25, 2001, at 10:00 a.m. at the Radisson Riverfront in St. Paul.

Meeting adjourned at 2:53 p.m.