ANNUAL SECTION BUSINESS MEETING
Holiday Inn & Suites
Owatonna, MN
1.
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Doug Rovang called the meeting to order at
12:25pm.
2.
CONSENT APPROVAL OF:
The 2003 Annual Section Business Meeting minutes
and the 2003 Financial Report were published in the fall conference issue of
the Breeze for review by the general membership. No comments or corrections
were noted.
A motion to approve the minutes and report was
made by Bob Cockriel, second by Scott Anderson, and passed unanimously.
3.
DISTRIBUTION OF BALLOTS FOR CHAIR-ELECT
Chair
Rovang reminded non-members they cannot vote.
Ballots
were distributed to the membership for the election of the chair-elect, and
director. Nominees for chair-elect were John Lapointe and Kelly Lange. Nominees
for director were Glen Gerads and George Rosati. Posters describing the
candidate and their future goals were displayed in the lobby.
Chair Rovang discussed the nomination process and the problems encountered this year. At the pre-conference board meeting, two motions were pasted to review the nomination process and section policies/procedures.
4.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Secretary/Treasurer Jon Eaton read the most
recent 2004 financial numbers. As of October 1, 2004 the Section income was
$190,301.24, expenses were $128,874.90, for a net positive gain of $61,426.34.
Investments are down $7,878.60.
Allen Lamm thanked the Secretary/Treasurer and
Finance Committee for turning the section around financially. The Finance
Committee members were identified: Gerry Mahon (who is retiring from the
committee), Karl Streed, Dave Peterson, and Barb Woolsey. Jon Eaton thanked
Gerry Mahon for his years of service as committee chair.
5. CONSENT APPROVAL OF:
ASSOCIATION
DIRECTOR'S REPORT (Bullert)
NW District (Hall)
NE District (Krause)
Central District (Spain)
Metro District (Tracy)
SW District (Hybbert)
SE District (Volker)
COUNCIL/COMMITTEE
REPORTS
Administration Council (AbouAish)
Conference Council (Schneider)
Manufacturers Council (B. Mason)
Public Affairs Council (Lange-Haider)
Small Systems Council (Christianson)
Training Council (Thornley)
Water Utility Council (Cockriel)
The above reports were published in the Breeze and Light Breeze
for review by the general membership. No comments or corrections were noted
from the district trustees, council chairs, or the general membership.
Director Bullert updated the membership about
the new communications program; teleconferencing, to save participant time and
section money.
A motion to approve the minutes and report was
made by Lyle Stai, second by Dan Boyce, and passed unanimously.
7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
The April 2004 bylaw change was reviewed. No
other unfinished business was presented.
8. NEW BUSINESS
No new business was presented
9. COMMUNICATIONS
Summary of the Awards Luncheon:
·
2003 Leonard Thompson Plaque – presented to Ed Sorenson by Bernie
Bullert.
·
2004 Membership Achievement Plaque – presented to Keith
Redmond for recruiting 10 new members. Accepted by Bill Spain who will deliver
it to Keith.
·
Water For People Fundraiser – raised $4,806.14 at the WFP golf tournament.
Gerry Mahon gave an additional 86 cents to make it an even dollar.
·
SUSA Donation – Bert Tracy, on behalf on SUSA (Suburban Utility Superintendents
Association), donated $500 to WFP
·
Endowment Fundraiser – Ben Mason made the pitch to sell more tickets
to win the MN Twins Playoff tickets.
·
Scholarship Awards – Chair Doug Rovang read the WUMI and Advanced
Degree Winners. WUMI winners were Mike Haugen, Perry Hart, John Ehlinger, and
Catherine Rude. Advanced Degree winners were Lindsey Cockriel and Mathew Smith.
·
Gimmicks & Gadgets – Jim Sadler talked about the two entries, the
anticipated vote, and made a pitch for more entries in next year.
·
Drinking Water Institute Plaques – Stew presented a plaque to Jim
Schmitt, originally from the Minnesota Science Museum and now with Hamline
University, in appreciation for his assistance in establishing curriculum and
running the Drinking Water Institute.
·
National Safety Award – Marlay Price gave Minnesota’s first national
safety award and banner to the Joint Powers Board of Albertville, Hanover, and
St Michael.
10. ASSOCIATION REPRESENTATIVES PRESENTATION
Marlay Price thanked the section for inviting he
and his wife to the conference. The Conference numbers are up to 316.
Additionally, Marlay discussed the National AWWA communication tool for Rate
Shock and invited section members to become involved at the national level.
A general discussion on where to find national
committee openings, how to apply, and how the section nominating committee can
assist took place.
11. ELECTION RESULTS
The Chair-elect winner was John Lapointe and the
Director winner was Glen Gerads.
A motion to destroy the ballots, subject to
bylaw review, was made by Allan Lamm, second by Gerry Mahon, and passed
unanimously.
12. ADJOURNMENT
A motion to adjourn the business meeting at
12:57pm was made by Yasser AbouAish, second by Myron Volker, and passed
unanimously.