NAMAKAN BASIN JOINT POWERS BOARD MEETING
May 21, 2009
The monthly meeting of the Namakan Basin Joint Powers Board (JPB) was held at the Cook Land Department on May 21, 2009. The meeting was called to order at 2:02 p.m. by Chairman Forsman. All Board members were present as follows: St. Louis County Commissioners Mike Forsman and Keith Nelson, Bob Nevalainen, Kabetogama Township, Rob Scott, Crane Lake Water and Sanitary District, and Katy Ebel, Ash River.
The minutes of the Namakan Basin Joint Powers Board meeting of April 23, 2009 were read and moved by Commissioner Nelson to approve and seconded by Bob Nevalainen. The board approved unanimously.
Julie Kennedy, S.E.H. Engineering provided an update on the JPB Comprehensive Plan. A revision to the original proposal was submitted to Chairman Forsman for his review and approval along with Al Mitchell’s review. All modifications were in line with the
April 23, 2009 JPB recommendations and motions. Commissioner Forsman signed the contract on May 7, 2009. Julie Kennedy outlined that the initial data collection phase would utilize the GIS data base for surveying existing systems. A motion was made by Commissioner Nelson to approve S.E.H.’s request to have access to St Louis County’s GIS Parcel Overlay Geographic Information System. The motion was seconded by Rob Scott and unanimously approved by the board. Julie Kennedy stated that the data needs collection would be based on:
1. density location
2. existing systems
3. seasonal vs. permanent users
4. types of users (residential, commercial, etc.)
Also, S.E.H. would employ a site vs. enforcement assessment approach. To assist S.E.H. in the development of the comprehensive plan, the agenda for the JPB meetings would include written and meeting updates from each of the three areas including Koochiching County.
Commissioner Nelson provided an update on the status of the Joint JPA that is in progress between St. Louis County and Koochiching County. He stated that he anticipated that at the next St. Louis County Commissioner’s Board meeting the resolution would be approved, and further noted Koochiching County Commissioners have already approved the resolution. There were additional discussions that the new JPB would be made up of County Commissioners from each county and that an advisory board would be recommended to be formed to provide appropriate area representation.
Gary Cerkvenik provided an update on the potential funding areas he was working on. At the Federal level he stated that the $900K funding request to the Water and Energy Subcommittee for 2010 funding was submitted. He is working on WRDA II funding input and planned to have that ready for the new Joint JPB to sign. At the State level he is working on three avenues for state matching funds. One is with the USACE 569 Grant program and the other is under the Clean Water Legacy Fund program. Lastly, he is looking into state bonding funds. The JPB Chair will act on behalf of the JPB in working with Gary Cerkvenik on state bonding funds. This authority was approved unanimously by the JPB from a motion by Commissioner Nelson and seconded by Bob Nevalainen. All of these submissions are in progress. Gary also discussed two letters regarding CLWSD debt relief effort. Commissioner Nelson will sign one letter as the Chair of the County’s Finance and Budget committee stating there are no county funds available to support CLWSD. The other letter will be signed by the JPB Chair under the authority granted by the JPB. This approval was through a motion by Commissioner Nelson and seconded by Bob Nevalainen. The board approved unanimously.
The next JPA Board meeting is scheduled for June 25, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at the Cook Land Office. A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Commissioner Nelson and seconded by Rob Scott. All members voted in favor, and the meeting was adjourned at 3:10 p.m.
Submitted by: Rob Scott, Secretary
May 21, 2009
The monthly meeting of the Namakan Basin Joint Powers Board (JPB) was held at the Cook Land Department on May 21, 2009. The meeting was called to order at 2:02 p.m. by Chairman Forsman. All Board members were present as follows: St. Louis County Commissioners Mike Forsman and Keith Nelson, Bob Nevalainen, Kabetogama Township, Rob Scott, Crane Lake Water and Sanitary District, and Katy Ebel, Ash River.
The minutes of the Namakan Basin Joint Powers Board meeting of April 23, 2009 were read and moved by Commissioner Nelson to approve and seconded by Bob Nevalainen. The board approved unanimously.
Julie Kennedy, S.E.H. Engineering provided an update on the JPB Comprehensive Plan. A revision to the original proposal was submitted to Chairman Forsman for his review and approval along with Al Mitchell’s review. All modifications were in line with the
April 23, 2009 JPB recommendations and motions. Commissioner Forsman signed the contract on May 7, 2009. Julie Kennedy outlined that the initial data collection phase would utilize the GIS data base for surveying existing systems. A motion was made by Commissioner Nelson to approve S.E.H.’s request to have access to St Louis County’s GIS Parcel Overlay Geographic Information System. The motion was seconded by Rob Scott and unanimously approved by the board. Julie Kennedy stated that the data needs collection would be based on:
1. density location
2. existing systems
3. seasonal vs. permanent users
4. types of users (residential, commercial, etc.)
Also, S.E.H. would employ a site vs. enforcement assessment approach. To assist S.E.H. in the development of the comprehensive plan, the agenda for the JPB meetings would include written and meeting updates from each of the three areas including Koochiching County.
Commissioner Nelson provided an update on the status of the Joint JPA that is in progress between St. Louis County and Koochiching County. He stated that he anticipated that at the next St. Louis County Commissioner’s Board meeting the resolution would be approved, and further noted Koochiching County Commissioners have already approved the resolution. There were additional discussions that the new JPB would be made up of County Commissioners from each county and that an advisory board would be recommended to be formed to provide appropriate area representation.
Gary Cerkvenik provided an update on the potential funding areas he was working on. At the Federal level he stated that the $900K funding request to the Water and Energy Subcommittee for 2010 funding was submitted. He is working on WRDA II funding input and planned to have that ready for the new Joint JPB to sign. At the State level he is working on three avenues for state matching funds. One is with the USACE 569 Grant program and the other is under the Clean Water Legacy Fund program. Lastly, he is looking into state bonding funds. The JPB Chair will act on behalf of the JPB in working with Gary Cerkvenik on state bonding funds. This authority was approved unanimously by the JPB from a motion by Commissioner Nelson and seconded by Bob Nevalainen. All of these submissions are in progress. Gary also discussed two letters regarding CLWSD debt relief effort. Commissioner Nelson will sign one letter as the Chair of the County’s Finance and Budget committee stating there are no county funds available to support CLWSD. The other letter will be signed by the JPB Chair under the authority granted by the JPB. This approval was through a motion by Commissioner Nelson and seconded by Bob Nevalainen. The board approved unanimously.
The next JPA Board meeting is scheduled for June 25, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at the Cook Land Office. A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Commissioner Nelson and seconded by Rob Scott. All members voted in favor, and the meeting was adjourned at 3:10 p.m.
Submitted by: Rob Scott, Secretary