VNP CLEAN WATER JOINT POWERS BOARD MEETING
October 22, 2009

The organizational meeting of the Voyageurs National Park Clean Water Joint Powers Board (VNP Clean Water JPB) was held at the Cook Land Department on

October 22, 2009. The meeting was called to order at 3:15 p.m. by Ted Troolin, St. Louis County Environmental Services Director, and all attendees were welcomed.  All in attendance had an opportunity to introduce themselves and state who they represented.  All VNP Clean Water JPB members present included:  St. Louis County Commissioners Mike Forsman and Keith Nelson, and Koochiching Commissioner Wade Pavleck.

The first order of business was the election of officers.  The results were:  Koochiching Commissioner Wade Pavleck - Chair, Commissioner Mike Forsman – Vice Chair, and Commissioner Keith Nelson – Secretary. 

A motion was made by Commissioner Forsman, seconded by Commissioner Nelson to establish an Advisory Board made up of the members from the Namakan Basin JPB (including a representative from Koochiching County), with the VNP Clean Water JPB approving the motion unanimously.  Commissioner Nelson made a motion to have an acting secretary from the Advisory Board that would provide administrative assistance until county secretarial staff was needed.  This motion was seconded by Commissioner Forsman and the motion passed.

The VNP Clean Water JPB discussed ongoing project funding efforts.  A motion was made by Commissioner Forsman and seconded by Commissioner Nelson, to request S.E.H. to review and modify all funding requests to change as required to reflect this board as the requesting entity  The motion was approved unanimously.

The next VNP Clean Water JPB meeting will be held on December 3, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. at the Cook Land Office.  A motion was made by Commissioner Nelson and supported by Commissioner Forsman to adjourn the meeting.  All voted in favor and the meeting was adjourned at 3:40 p.m.

NAMAKAN BASIN JOINT POWERS BOARD MEETING
October 22, 2009

The monthly meeting of the Namakan Basin Joint Powers Board  (JPB) was held at the Cook Land Department on October 22, 2009.  The meeting was called to order at

2:00 p.m. by Chairman Forsman.  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.

Upon motion of Rob Scott, seconded by Commissioner Nelson, the minutes of the Namakan Basin Joint Powers Board meeting of September 24, 2009 were unanimously approved.

Julie Kennedy, S.E.H. Engineering, reported that the county postcards and the 680 surveys have been mailed, and S.E.H. has received approximately 120 responses as of today’s meeting.  The response goal is 60%.  Ms. Kennedy attended the Crane Lake Township monthly meeting on September 15, 2009, which she believed went well and answered approximately 50 numerous questions.

The JPB discussed that there needs to be an improved definition of project goals and explanations on how to handle existing systems, new systems and future systems.  A motion was made by Bob Nevalainen, seconded by Commissioner Nelson, to incorporate these issues in the JPB Comprehensive Plan  The JPB approved the motion unanimously.  Ms. Kennedy informed the members that S.E.H. is including a question and answer section on their website to address these questions and how the JPB is handling them.  Also, S.E.H. will provide project report updates on this website.

Additional update comments:

Crane Lake:  Rob Scott discussed the positive response at the Crane Lake Township meeting to the S.E.H. update.

Ash River:  The representative was absent, and it was decided that S.E.H. will contact the Ash River representatives with respect to their attendance at the JPB meetings.
 
Kabetogama:  Bob Nevalainen reported all is quiet, and that Kabetogama Township supports the Namakan Basin JPB.

Koochiching:  Dale Olson reported that the facility plan is 90% complete.  They will continue to improve their project point standing to gain support for MPCA funding.

The organizational meeting of the VNP Clean Water JPB will be held immediately following today’s meeting.  Commissioner Nelson reported that the Minnesota House and Senate Bonding meetings went well.

The next JPB meeting is scheduled for December 3, 2009 at 2:00 at the Cook Land Office.  A motion was made by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Rob Scott to adjourn the meeting.  All voted in favor, and the meeting was adjourned at 3:12 p.m.

Submitted by:  Rob Scott