NAMAKAN BASIN JOINT POWERS BOARD MEETING
June 25, 2009
The monthly meeting of the Namakan Basin Joint Powers Board (JPB) was held at the Cook Land Department on June 25, 2009. The meeting was called to order at 2:05 p.m. by Chairman Forsman, followed by introductions from all attendees. The Board members present were: St. Louis County Commissioners Mike Forsman and Keith Nelson, Tim Watson, Kabetogama Township, Rob Scott, Crane Lake Water and Sanitary District, and Steve Wieber, Ash River.
The minutes of the Namakan Basin Joint Powers Board meeting of May 21, 2009 were read and moved for approval by Tim Watson and seconded by Commissioner Forsman, with the correction of changing “a second on a motion to approve CLWSD correspondence from Bob Nevalainen to Rob Scott.” The Joint Powers Board approved unanimously.
Julie Kennedy, S.E.H. Engineering provided an update on the JPB Comprehensive Plan. She discussed a draft letter that would be signed by the JPB chair requesting parcel data for the Crane Lake, Ash River, and Kabetogama areas from the St. Louis County Planning, Research and GIS Division Manager. A motion was made by Rob Scott and seconded by Tim Watson in support of the request. The board approved the motion unanimously. There was extensive discussion by the JPB in regard to the need for accurate data and a high percentage of survey responses. Additional concerns were expressed to ensure individuals surveyed understand that the purpose of the survey is only for informational purposes and will not be used to gauge compliance with any ordinances or standards. Commissioner Nelson stated that consideration should be given to relate the survey to already existing GIS data. To facilitate development of the survey and the survey process, Commissioner Nelson stated that he will provide a point of contact with St. Louis County Environmental Services. Additionally, the Environmental Services Department would send out a note card advising those individuals that they will be receiving a survey letter. S.E. H. will work with Environmental Services on the development of the note card and cover letter. They will provide an updated version of the survey for review and approval at the JPB’s July meeting.
Mike Larson provided an update on plan funding. There will be a request submitted to the IRRB for an additional $50,000 in planning funds. This will be done after July 1, 2009. He also discussed the state bonding bill process and the request for an additional $385,000 for pre-design planning funds. These funds will be used for testing and an analysis of alternatives developed in the comprehensive plan. Commissioner Nelson made a motion to approve the application and signature by the chair and seconded by Rob Scott. During discussion, there was an agreement that letters to our elected officials be sent out seeking their support. These letters were added to the motion and approved unanimously by the board.
Additional update comments on the comprehensive plan:
Kabetogama: Tim Watson discussed the S.E. H. visit that included discussions on the survey and plan with an area familiarization boat trip.
Ash River: Steve Wieber stated there is no governmental entity or formal group at Ash River but he and/or Katy Ebel would assist S.E.H. as needed.
Crane Lake: Rob Scott stated that Julie Kennedy had completed the initial site survey and would revisit Crane Lake on July 1, 2009.
Koochiching: Dale Olson talked about the Island View extension of the Jackfish Bay sewer system and interest by MPCA to visit with the Voyageur National Park. He also stated there is possibly the need to expand the visit and interest to include other areas.
Joint JPA: Commissioner Nelson provided an update on the status of the Joint JPA. The County Commissioners have approved the willingness to a Joint JPA. The new JPA will consist of two Commissioners for St. Louis and Koochiching Counties. A draft JPA is being developed and completion is anticipated within 30 days for review and approval in August. With the approval of the Joint JPA, there is further anticipation that the new JPB will establish an Advisory Board made up of representatives from each of the four areas.
The next JPA Board meeting is scheduled for July 23, 2009 at 2:00 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 3:45 p.m.
Submitted by: Rob Scott, Secretary
June 25, 2009
The monthly meeting of the Namakan Basin Joint Powers Board (JPB) was held at the Cook Land Department on June 25, 2009. The meeting was called to order at 2:05 p.m. by Chairman Forsman, followed by introductions from all attendees. The Board members present were: St. Louis County Commissioners Mike Forsman and Keith Nelson, Tim Watson, Kabetogama Township, Rob Scott, Crane Lake Water and Sanitary District, and Steve Wieber, Ash River.
The minutes of the Namakan Basin Joint Powers Board meeting of May 21, 2009 were read and moved for approval by Tim Watson and seconded by Commissioner Forsman, with the correction of changing “a second on a motion to approve CLWSD correspondence from Bob Nevalainen to Rob Scott.” The Joint Powers Board approved unanimously.
Julie Kennedy, S.E.H. Engineering provided an update on the JPB Comprehensive Plan. She discussed a draft letter that would be signed by the JPB chair requesting parcel data for the Crane Lake, Ash River, and Kabetogama areas from the St. Louis County Planning, Research and GIS Division Manager. A motion was made by Rob Scott and seconded by Tim Watson in support of the request. The board approved the motion unanimously. There was extensive discussion by the JPB in regard to the need for accurate data and a high percentage of survey responses. Additional concerns were expressed to ensure individuals surveyed understand that the purpose of the survey is only for informational purposes and will not be used to gauge compliance with any ordinances or standards. Commissioner Nelson stated that consideration should be given to relate the survey to already existing GIS data. To facilitate development of the survey and the survey process, Commissioner Nelson stated that he will provide a point of contact with St. Louis County Environmental Services. Additionally, the Environmental Services Department would send out a note card advising those individuals that they will be receiving a survey letter. S.E. H. will work with Environmental Services on the development of the note card and cover letter. They will provide an updated version of the survey for review and approval at the JPB’s July meeting.
Mike Larson provided an update on plan funding. There will be a request submitted to the IRRB for an additional $50,000 in planning funds. This will be done after July 1, 2009. He also discussed the state bonding bill process and the request for an additional $385,000 for pre-design planning funds. These funds will be used for testing and an analysis of alternatives developed in the comprehensive plan. Commissioner Nelson made a motion to approve the application and signature by the chair and seconded by Rob Scott. During discussion, there was an agreement that letters to our elected officials be sent out seeking their support. These letters were added to the motion and approved unanimously by the board.
Additional update comments on the comprehensive plan:
Kabetogama: Tim Watson discussed the S.E. H. visit that included discussions on the survey and plan with an area familiarization boat trip.
Ash River: Steve Wieber stated there is no governmental entity or formal group at Ash River but he and/or Katy Ebel would assist S.E.H. as needed.
Crane Lake: Rob Scott stated that Julie Kennedy had completed the initial site survey and would revisit Crane Lake on July 1, 2009.
Koochiching: Dale Olson talked about the Island View extension of the Jackfish Bay sewer system and interest by MPCA to visit with the Voyageur National Park. He also stated there is possibly the need to expand the visit and interest to include other areas.
Joint JPA: Commissioner Nelson provided an update on the status of the Joint JPA. The County Commissioners have approved the willingness to a Joint JPA. The new JPA will consist of two Commissioners for St. Louis and Koochiching Counties. A draft JPA is being developed and completion is anticipated within 30 days for review and approval in August. With the approval of the Joint JPA, there is further anticipation that the new JPB will establish an Advisory Board made up of representatives from each of the four areas.
The next JPA Board meeting is scheduled for July 23, 2009 at 2:00 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 3:45 p.m.
Submitted by: Rob Scott, Secretary