NAMAKAN BASIN JOINT POWERS BOARD MEETING
July 23, 2009
The monthly meeting of the Namakan Basin Joint Powers Board (JPB) was held at the Cook Land Department on July 23, 2009. The meeting was called to order at 2:08 p.m. by Chairman Forsman, followed by introductions from all attendees. The JPB members present were: St. Louis County Commissioners Mike Forsman and Keith Nelson, Bob Nevalainen, Kabetogama Township, and Rob Scott, Crane Lake Water and Sanitary District. The representative from Ash River was absent.
The minutes of the June 25, 2009, Namakan Basin Joint Powers Board meeting were moved for approval by Commissioner Nelson and seconded by Bob Nevalainen. The JPB approved the minutes unanimously.
Julie Kennedy, S.E.H. Engineering, provided an update on the JPB Comprehensive Plan. S.E.H. is working with the St. Louis County Auditor’s Office in developing the mailing list for the surveys. Ms. Kennedy stated that she completed area visits to Crane Lake and Ash River. Commissioner Forsman updated the board on the status of the Joint JPA. He informed the members that a draft agreement has been developed through the St. Louis and Koochiching County Attorney’s Offices, and it is anticipated that the agreement will be presented to the St. Louis County Board at its August 4, 2009 meeting. Mike Larson provided an update on project funding and stated he is continuing to work funding through the state bonding bill process. The funds requested are $385,000 for planning and design. Additionally, he is continuing to work with the USACE on 569 project funds for Kabetogama (treatment design work), Ash River (preliminary engineering design work), and Crane Lake (collection system extension work).
The board discussed the challenges regarding four ongoing projects along with the need for understanding and flexibility challenges that the overall project faces with the different funding sources, cycles, and timelines. A motion was made by Commissioner Nelson to authorize the Chair to make an application for funding source versus acceptance. This motion was seconded by Rob Scott and unanimously approved by the board.
Additional update comments:
Kabetogama: Bob Nevalainen provided an update and expressed concern with the VNP/MPCA meeting and attendees. He believed that an area representative for the JPB should have been included. The meeting was exclusively for government representatives, and Commissioner Nelson reminded the board that this JPB is a governmental entity.
Crane Lake: Rob Scott stated that survey data was critical to the Comprehensive Plan but equally critical was getting input and involvement from MPCA and St. Louis County Environmental Services. Ted Troolin, Director of Environmental Services agreed to support the project and be the point person from his office.
Ash River: No report provided.
Koochiching: Dale Olson from Koochiching County Environmental Services Dept. provided a summary of the VNP/MPCA meeting of July 8, 2009.
The next JPB Board meeting is scheduled for August 20, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at the Cook Land Department. A motion to adjourn the meeting was made my Commissioner Nelson and seconded by Rob Scott. All members voted in favor, and the meeting was adjourned at 3:45 p.m.
Submitted by: Rob Scott, Secretary
July 23, 2009
The monthly meeting of the Namakan Basin Joint Powers Board (JPB) was held at the Cook Land Department on July 23, 2009. The meeting was called to order at 2:08 p.m. by Chairman Forsman, followed by introductions from all attendees. The JPB members present were: St. Louis County Commissioners Mike Forsman and Keith Nelson, Bob Nevalainen, Kabetogama Township, and Rob Scott, Crane Lake Water and Sanitary District. The representative from Ash River was absent.
The minutes of the June 25, 2009, Namakan Basin Joint Powers Board meeting were moved for approval by Commissioner Nelson and seconded by Bob Nevalainen. The JPB approved the minutes unanimously.
Julie Kennedy, S.E.H. Engineering, provided an update on the JPB Comprehensive Plan. S.E.H. is working with the St. Louis County Auditor’s Office in developing the mailing list for the surveys. Ms. Kennedy stated that she completed area visits to Crane Lake and Ash River. Commissioner Forsman updated the board on the status of the Joint JPA. He informed the members that a draft agreement has been developed through the St. Louis and Koochiching County Attorney’s Offices, and it is anticipated that the agreement will be presented to the St. Louis County Board at its August 4, 2009 meeting. Mike Larson provided an update on project funding and stated he is continuing to work funding through the state bonding bill process. The funds requested are $385,000 for planning and design. Additionally, he is continuing to work with the USACE on 569 project funds for Kabetogama (treatment design work), Ash River (preliminary engineering design work), and Crane Lake (collection system extension work).
The board discussed the challenges regarding four ongoing projects along with the need for understanding and flexibility challenges that the overall project faces with the different funding sources, cycles, and timelines. A motion was made by Commissioner Nelson to authorize the Chair to make an application for funding source versus acceptance. This motion was seconded by Rob Scott and unanimously approved by the board.
Additional update comments:
Kabetogama: Bob Nevalainen provided an update and expressed concern with the VNP/MPCA meeting and attendees. He believed that an area representative for the JPB should have been included. The meeting was exclusively for government representatives, and Commissioner Nelson reminded the board that this JPB is a governmental entity.
Crane Lake: Rob Scott stated that survey data was critical to the Comprehensive Plan but equally critical was getting input and involvement from MPCA and St. Louis County Environmental Services. Ted Troolin, Director of Environmental Services agreed to support the project and be the point person from his office.
Ash River: No report provided.
Koochiching: Dale Olson from Koochiching County Environmental Services Dept. provided a summary of the VNP/MPCA meeting of July 8, 2009.
The next JPB Board meeting is scheduled for August 20, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at the Cook Land Department. A motion to adjourn the meeting was made my Commissioner Nelson and seconded by Rob Scott. All members voted in favor, and the meeting was adjourned at 3:45 p.m.
Submitted by: Rob Scott, Secretary
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