PPSSD Meeting Minutes

Minutes of Puck’s Point Subordinate Service District Member’s Informational Meeting — November 19, 2015

Kabetogama Township chairman John Stegmeir opened meeting at 7:00 pm. Township Board members present were Supervisor Marlene Tomczak and Supervisor Paul Kliner. Twenty four people attended the meeting, eleven in person, thirteen via conference call.

Colin Marcusen (SEH project manager) reviewed project costs covering three construction phases (Collection, Treatment, and Dispersal) plus engineering, legal, administrative, and land costs. Funding sources and the DNR capital contribution were reviewed, along with estimated monthly fees. Colin explained the importance of the Good Neighbor Policy — final monthly EDU costs are based on the percentage of PPSSD members participating.

Colin addressed PFA requirements (specifically Commitment Cards) and the projected project schedule.

Colin stated that members who wished to sign commitment cards but remain on record as not favoring the project could check yes and strike the line “we are IN favor of connecting to the project.” By the end of the meeting, only 2 members had not committed.

Discussion addressed project cost breakdowns, rock excavation concerns, contingency funds ($175,000 built in), treatment system capacity for future expansion, electrical hookup requirements for grinder pumps, and operational maintenance cost computation (first year distributed evenly by EDU; future years based proportionally on grinder pump run time).

Colin stated the Township will hire a licensed operator to maintain and service the system, and suggested considering coordination with the International Falls operator given licensing requirements.

Casey Deziel asked who would oversee the project during construction. Colin stated SEH will have staff on site through all three stages, and that MPCA and St. Louis County will conduct intermittent inspections.

Colin will send email to all PPSSD members with results of the commitment card responses.

Attendees in person: Jerry Mitchell, Larry Warrington, Betsy Warrington, Allan Burchell, Ken Pederson, Rusty Lehto, Casey Deziel, Bill Roden, Mark Strum, Carol Stegmeir, plus Township officers.

Attendees via conference call: Mike Larson (SEH), Tom Rukavina (St. Louis County Commissioner), Mark St. Lawrence, Dale Olson (Koochiching County Environmental Services), Nancy Johnson (MN Public Facilities Authority), Peter Thompson, Carol Bacon, Bob Yaritz, Dennis Johnson, Bill Drystad, Mary Drystad, Mary Nichols.

Kabetogama Township — PPSSD Public Hearing — June 27, 2011

Chairman Nevalainen opened the meeting at 7:05 pm. Clerk Manninen stated that a notice of public hearing had been sent to all members of the PPSSD district on June 17, 2011.

Julie Kennedy presented option tables prepared by Scott Harder (who was unable to attend in person but called in). Between Kennedy and Nevalainen the options were discussed and explained. PPSSD residents had many questions and concerns.

At the end of the meeting a hand count was taken — Option Two received the most votes. The Township Board would bring this information to the July 5th regular board meeting and was expected to pass a motion to proceed with Option Two.

Respectfully Submitted, Mary Manninen, Clerk, Kabetogama Township

Kabetogama Township Special Meeting — Subject: PPSSD — May 16, 2011

The special meeting began at 7:15 pm. Chairman Nevalainen opened the meeting and introduced Julie Kennedy (SEH).

PPSSD funding update: the project is currently funded for $1.5 million through the PFA. The first $1 million is under the Small Communities Wastewater Treatment Program (50/50 grant and loan); the additional $500,000 comes from the Clean Water Revolving Fund. The grant portion is 43%. Commissioner Nelson has met with the IRRB for remaining funds to bring the total back to 50%. The Small Communities program ends June 30, 2011 — the Township must commit before that date.

Financial Advisor Scott Harder was hired at the May 3rd meeting. No board policies have yet been established for how PPSSD members will be assessed. A lengthy discussion followed with many opinions on the assessment process. Nothing was determined at this meeting; the Financial Advisor will bring recommendations to a later Township Board meeting.

Bond Counsel Mary Francis Skalla was hired by the Township for the PPSSD. Motion by Supervisor Town, seconded by Supervisor Kiner, motion carried.

Chairman Nevalainen moved to continue with the PPSSD project and begin filling out financial paperwork to move forward, seconded by Supervisor Town, motion carried.

Chairman Nevalainen moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Supervisor Town, motion carried.

Respectfully Submitted, Mary Manninen, Clerk, Kabetogama Township

Kabetogama Township — PPSSD Public Hearing — July 6, 2010

The meeting was opened by Chairman Nevalainen at 7:00 pm and turned over to SEH Engineer Julie Kennedy. Ms. Kennedy explained the purpose of the meeting: an Addendum to the Preliminary Engineering Report, providing an update on the treatment system with respect to the MPCA nitrogen policy and treatment system suitability, and evaluating seasonal woodland irrigation as an alternative.

Design Basis Update: wastewater design loadings were revised upward from 20,000 gpd to 22,000 gpd (a 10% increase), including flows from the Wooden Frog Campground.

Nitrogen Removal: the MPCA Large Subsurface Treatment System (LSTS) policy requires nitrate nitrogen at or below 10 mg/L at the property boundary. The project qualifies as an LSTS and will be designed under Option No. 1 (abridged hydrogeologic assessment), requiring a pretreatment system to achieve an EOP limit of 10 mg/L total nitrogen.

Seasonal Woodland Irrigation: evaluated as an alternative treatment and dispersal method using a sand/peat filter and seasonal irrigation to a woodland area, with an offseason infiltration bed for year-round operation.

Attendees: approximately 26 PPSSD members, Township Board officers, SEH engineers, MPCA representatives, and county officials.

Kabetogama Township Working Meeting — June 26, 2008

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Nevalainen with the Pledge of Allegiance. Board members in attendance: Robert Nevalainen, Richard McGregor, Edward Town, Jill Kiner, and Marlene Tomczak. Guests: Mike Kolb (St. Louis County), Mike Larson, Denny Reagan, Jim Johnson and Dan Vial (SEH), Gary Cerkvenik (Lobbyist), Bridget Chard (Consultant), and Robert Ruppe (Attorney) on conference call. Twenty-two residents attended.

Gary Cerkvenik presented a federal earmark funding strategy. Congressman Oberstar introduced a direct appropriation of $1.25 million for PPSSD — a 100% federal grant. The measure was in subcommittee for water and energy appropriations. Senators Klobuchar and Coleman introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

Plan B (Namakan Basin Project): If the $1.25 million earmark does not succeed, a broader $28.8 million authorization was submitted to the Water Resources Redevelopment Act covering Kabetogama, Crane Lake, and Ash River. State bonding funds (~$7 million) were sought to match the federal share. Senator Bakk and Representative Dill agreed to introduce the legislation.

St. Louis County was considering a grant of ~$100,000 for planning; a matching $100,000 was to be requested from the IRRB. SEH agreed to provide work without obligation in order to assist the grant applications.

Hand vote: PPSSD would hold off spending additional project funds until the federal grant outcome is known. All in favor except Larry Warrington.

Hand vote on SEH retention: if the $200,000 combined St. Louis County/IRRB grant is secured for a feasibility study across the three areas, PPSSD would retain SEH as their engineer. Eight in favor, two abstaining.

Discussion addressed easements (temporary construction and permanent maintenance access), the NAWE contract status, compliant wastewater systems and the In Lieu clause, county leniency for suffering systems, user fee timing, and grant application reimbursement.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 pm.

Respectfully Submitted, Mary Manninen, Clerk, Kabetogama Township

Re: Puck’s Point Subordinate Service District Proposed Wastewater Project — Work Meeting — February 1, 2008 — Kabetogama Fire Hall

Meeting was called to order by Chairman Robert Nevalainen at 1:05 pm with the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll call taken — all Supervisors present.

Landowner Work Meeting for Puck’s Point Subordinate Service District — April 21, 2007 — Kabetogama Community Center

Present: Ed Town (Kabetogama Township Supervisor, Liaison to Puck’s Point SSD), Shane Sparks, and other district members.