Thirty Lakes Watershed District
Board of Managers Meeting
Monday, December 14, 2009

Board Present:  T. Ebnet, G. Hardy, K. Svee and  M. Young.   Absent:  none.
*Let the record reflect that Manager Bruce Yund passed away on December 13, 2009*

Staff Present:  T. Lauer and M. Peisch

Also Present:  Bob Albrecht and Rick Johnson of the Advisory Committee.

The meeting was called to order at 9:00 am by President K. Svee in the office of the Thirty Lakes Watershed District, 17064 Commercial Park Road, Brainerd, MN.  K. Svee led the Pledge of Allegiance.  The Managers gave a Moment of Silence on behalf of Bruce Yund.

Open Forum:  None.

Consent Agenda:  MOTION BY YOUNG/EBNET THAT THE CONSENT AGENDA BE APPROVED AS PRESENTED INCLUDING THE MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 9, 2009 MEETING AND THE ACCOUNTS PAYABLE.  ALL AYE, MOTION CARRIED.

November Permits:  Three permits were issued in November.

West Bay of North Long Lake:  The Crow Wing County Large Lakes Assessment reported a decline in the transparency readings in the west bay of North Long Lake.  The Administrator explained that in order to apply for BWSR Implementation Grant Funds, it is first necessary to identify the problem.  Proposals were received from A. W. Research Laboratories and RMB Laboratories to gather and analyze data.

There was a lengthy discussion about the data collected for the Large Lake Assessment report and other data collected on North Long Lake.  G. Hardy stated that weather conditions can greatly affect the transparency readings.  The Administrator said that sewer information on the approximately ninety residences on the west bay could be obtained from Crow Wing County Planning & Zoning for a fee.

MOTION BY HARDY/EBNET THAT INFORMATION ON THE ON-SITE SEPTIC SYSTEMS AROUND THE WEST BAY OF NORTH LONG LAKE BE OBTAINED FROM CROW WING COUNTY PLANNING & ZONING.  ALL AYE, MOTION CARRIED.

Additional Clerical Staff:  Scheduling conflicts leave the office unattended from time to time, although the answering service is always on.  K. Svee suggested in his report that an additional part time person be hired to fill in to ensure that the office is open and someone is there.

It was decided by the Managers that no additional staff would be hired at this time.

Personnel:  K. Svee submitted a report requesting that the wages of the three staff members be increased.  While the Administrator did receive an increase last year, M. Peisch stated that she was, and continues to be, the lowest paid Administrator of any Watershed District in the state.  B. Albrecht pointed out to the Managers that all the Thirty Lakes staff members are paid less than the lowest paid Crow Wing County employee.

MOTION BY SVEE/EBNET THAT AN HOURLY INCREASE OF $.50 BE GIVEN TO THE ADMINISTRATOR, $.40 BE GIVEN TO T. LAUER, AND $.25 FOR M. CODY.  ROLL CALL VOTE AS FOLLOWS:  T. EBNET – AYE, G. HARDY – NO VOTE, K. SVEE – AYE, M. YOUNG – NO VOTE.  LATER G. HARDY AND M. YOUNG CHANGED THEY NO VOTES TO AYE.  MOTION CARRIED.

Policies:  A Sexual Harassment Prevention Policy and a Public Data Request Policy were given to the Managers for review.  G. Hardy and M. Young stated that there are laws covering Sexual Harassment.

MOTION BY EBNET/HARDY THAT THE SEXUAL HARASSMENT PREVENTION POLICY AND THE PUBLIC DATA REQUEST POLICY BE ADOPTED BY THIRTY LAKES WATERSHED DISTRICT.  ALL AYE, MOTION CARRIED.

Information and/or Discussion:

North Long Lake Association is considering forming a Lake Improvement District, according to the President’s Report in the recent newsletter.  K. Svee sent an email to the Association President explaining that Thirty Lakes Watershed District could assess for certain costs just like a L.I.D.

The Managers reviewed the responses to the questionnaire received from the Bass Lake residents.  K. Svee pointed out that there is no information on the residential onsite septic systems around Bass Lake.  A. W. Research is going to present a proposal for improving the water quality of Bass Lake.

The IRS mileage reimbursement rate will be $.50 as of January 1, 2010.

The Managers reviewed the lease for the Lakeview Center effective April 1, 2010.  G. Hardy said that he thought the Managers voted to have the Attorney read over the lease, and it would be brought back to the Board for another vote to sign the lease.  The minutes of the October 12th meeting were brought out.

K. Svee pointed out that the Lakeview Center is within the District, and will make us compliant with the Rules.  M. Young stated that Thirty Lakes does not have to be compliant with the rules if we can’t afford or don’t need it, when it’s feasible, the rules say.  M. Young went on to report that there is a petition going around to prevent Thirty Lakes from taking over responsibility for Ditch #13.  G. Hardy said that he did not understand the objection to moving into the County Planning & Zoning office.

TSI Report Format:  Alan Cibuzar showed an example of the new format to be used to present the results of the TSI tests.  There was discussion about how TSI is determined.  Also included in the revised format will be recommendations for lake management.

MOTION BY EBENET/HARDY THAT THE MEETING BE ADJOURNED AT 10:55 AM.  ALL AYE, MOTION CARRIED.