Minutes from October 28, 2015

Kootenai County Water District No. I
Board of Directors Meeting- November 18, 2015
(Minutes from October 28, 2015)

I. President Bill Welsh called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. with the following present:
Dave Dasher, Vice President
Loretta D. Zabka, Secretary
Diana Fost, Treasurer
Jeff Barber, Director

Guests: *******
See Guest List

II. Minutes for the Oct. meeting approved by motion (m/Barber, s/Dasher)

III. Treasurers Report Oct. meeting, motion made (m/Barber, s/Zabka)

IV. Manager’s Report approved by motion (m/Dasher, s/Fost)

** Went in and out of a brief executive session

V. Old Business.
A. Pending research per Welsh regarding leak in Bay 3.
B. Water-Smart Grant discussed
C. Prioritize projects
D. M. Waterhouse obtained bids for pipe costs on Bonanza Ranch
E. D. Dasher made a motion to spend 8 hours with Rob Tate cost could be around $1,000 (m/Fost,s/Dahser)
F. Regarding changes to section 13 of Rules and Regulations J. Barber felt his property was previously grandfathered in and sec. 13 should state his personal name because of possible loop hole interpretations indicated by the attorney, Appleton. Dasher and Welsh stated that personal names in the rules and relations were not customary. Motion made to publish the changes in wording per attorney Appleton to sec. 13 as written. (m/Dasher, s/Fost) three in agreement, one opposed (Barber)

VI. New Business
A. M. Waterhouse brought up Patron at Bonanza Ranch – Wanted to have the Rules and Regulations of Section 8 of Rental Property clarified. Board agreed the last sentence in Section 8 was confusing. Dasher agreed it should be re-worded and a motion was made to delete the last sentence of section 8 rental property.
B. Diana presented the new bid from Anderson Bros for 2016 audit. Will start after April 15 tax season. Estimated cost $7100 for audit. Motion made to have Anderson Bros handle district 2016 audit. (m/Barber, s/Fost)
C. Patron Larry Kensenlu addressed his concerns for the billing cycle method. He proposed an opinion on methods to make water charges easier to understand. He also requested records for his meter reading during summer 2014. He stated the water district is making errors on how they read the meters because they write only the last 3 numbers. He is questioning his overage. Guest, Keith Lund also questioned the district method of reading only the last 3 numbers, as he feels the district is generating additional charges to the customers because they read only the last three numbers which gives the water district the advantage to up the tier structure causing higher charges to the homeowner.
D. M. Waterhouse was given a $1.00 per hour wage increase retroactive from September 1, 2015 as the original agreed review period. Motion made (m/Dasher, s/Barber)
E. Next two meetings for the board will occur on November 18 and December 16 in lieu of the holidays.
F. Motion made by J. Barber for D. Fost to be given a $50 increase per month ($250 - $300) Motion carried (all in favor)

VII. KCWD #1 Projects List
A. Vista tower – Mike is working on a location
B. Distribution upgrade Hass and Little Joe

VIII. Adjournment 9:35 p.m. motion made (m/Dasher, s/Barber)

Board member needed

The Kootenai County Water District #1 board is currently seeking a committed local patron residing in the district to fill the remaining term for the board position of director, ending 2017.  If you are interested, please send an up to date Bio, and why you think you would like to participate to the email address below. Duties require regular attendance and the use of your experiences to assist the Board to function smoothly for our District. Please attend our next board meeting at the fire station on Sunnyside at 7:00 p.m. on November 18 for consideration and nomination. 

September Minutes

                                                Kootenai County Water District No. I

Board of Directors Meeting- October 28, 2015

(Minutes from Sept 23, 2015)

 

I.                    President Bill Welsh called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with the following present:

Dave Dasher, Vice President

Loretta D. Zabka, Secretary

Diana Fost, Treasurer

Jeff Barber, Director

 

            Guests:   *******

                        Bob Grammer, Justine Lund, Robert Zabka

 

II.                  Minutes for the Sept. meeting approved by motion (m/Fost, s/Zabka)

 

III.                Treasurers Report Sept. meeting, motion made (m/Barber, s/Dasher)

 

IV.                Manager’s Report approved by motion (m/Dasher, s/Zabka)

#4.  Activity discussed in regards to water usage verses adequate

       coverage for all existing homes.  Welsh stated the capacity

       of 100 new homes is coverable with the district current system.

 

#7.  Mike had a meeting with DEQ – they advised him that the current

       filtering of water in the bays has not been up to State standards.

       They directed him to the ½ HP pump.  Mike researched the cost

       Of two different manufactures.

 

V.                  Presidents Report

A.      Bill received another cost proposal from Tate Engineering - - - this one was considerably higher.  Bill will speak with them as to the excessive cost increases for KCWD future development plans.  The district may look at other engineers for future plans.

 

VI.                Old Business

A.       D. Dasher presented additional information to past research on various government funding availability.  One termed water smart is a grant funding match program structured in two tiers depending on borrowed amount.  Dasher stated that those districts who have participated in this program tend to be helped more in (tier one), which is a lesser borrowing amount.  (Tier two) requires more paper work which is more invasive; requiring attorneys, engineers and more money.

B.      The district must prioritize the pending job projects and come up with an actual needed amount as well as determine if any the above money borrowing is a feasible option.

C.      No research compiled per Welsh regarding leak in Bay 3.

 

VII.              New Business

A.      Patron, Teri White was discussed regarding her current water bill.  She experienced a wintertime leak.  Waterhouse expressed it would be helpful to aid her in a bill reduction expressly based on the fact the board reduced another clients charges which were simply neglect and not a leak.  Board made a motion to assist with a tier one rate adjustment break on overages.  Board agreed to consider future individual matters of grievance on a case by case basis.

B.      D. Fost shared the method of the district calculations on the tired water base charges.

C.      D. Dasher introduced wording changes to Section 13 of the rules and regulations- Multiple Outlets.  Advised by the district’s attorney, Appleton, that the existing section as written left possible loop holes and problems in adhering to the rules and regulations.  A motion to approve is pending till next month’s board as J. Barber asked for time to digest the proposed changes.

D.     M. Waterhouse submitted request for two new water hook-up applications at $7500.00 each from Jim Taigin on Bonnell by Yellowstone.  Approved by motion ( m/Fost, s/Dasher).  Ben Martin on Bonnell Rd, approved by motion, m/Dasher, s/Fost.)

E.      D. Fost requested permission to pay-off backhoe loan.  Balance remaining of $9,700.  Motion made, (m/Barber, s/Fost)

F.       Regarding item #7 on Manager’s Report board approved a motion to purchase a pump per DEQ standards.  Purchase cost is about $500 to $700.  (m/Dasher, s/Fost).

G.     M. Waterhouse presented a letter from the state licensing board applicant fee $92.00.  Motion made (m/Zabka, s/fost).

H.     M. Waterhouse requested time to attend a training class for Mountain Water Works.  Fee involved varies from member or non-member.  Board approved attendance.

I.        J. Barber and D. Fost discussed more frequent meter reads; monthly verses bi-monthly.  Unanimous from board to costly and not warranted.

J.        Research per M. Waterhouse is requested on a property located at 1777 Grouse Meadow.  There is no name at this address.  Mike expressed concern there is no bill being generated for water usage.  Must be researched.

 

VIII.            KCWD #1 Projects List

A.      Vista tower – Mike is working on a location

B.      Distribution upgrade  Hass and Little Joe

 

IX.                Adjournment 9:45 p.m. motion made (m/Fost, s/Zabka)

 

 

 

 

 

Water Rate Structure 2010 and water quality report

  

Vista loop repair

The leak on Vista Loop is complete!🚰

Leak on Vista Loop

We have discovered a small leak in the 4400 block of Vista Loop. Repair will begin in A.M. On 8/31/15, Mike🚰

New 20hp pump

Our electrician has completed the installation of our new 20hp pump in the pump house, and it's fully operational. He did notice that a bearing in our 40hp is going bad. Mike has ordered a new bearing and we hope the old one holds out. During low demand periods, this would be a non event, however, now we have to be prepared for stronger water conservation if this bearing fails. I'll post an update when I learn more. Bill