Legal/Transparency

In attendance: Gil Tumey, Dave Conboy, Doni Guyer, Larry Uptain directors; Stacy Wilhelm, secretary; Anthony Hall, Plant Operator; Dan Larson, Engineer.

 

No conflicts or corrections.  

 

A motion to approve the minutes from the July 13, 2026, meeting was made by Guyer and seconded by Uptain.  Motion passed.

 

A motion to accept the Treasurer’s report and bills paid through July 31, 2026, was made by Conboy and seconded by Ventress. Motion passed. 

 

OPERATIONS REPORT:

 

Hall reported flows are good.  He received a call over the for a sewer smell and found it was a venting issue.  Had one customer call with an overflowing tank and found that the power is on the neighbor’s property and they had turned it off.

 

Hall reported the lagoon liner is showing significant wear and needs replaced but would be easiest to do this when a third lagoon is available for use.  He irrigated 17 days in July and had a high coliform test so stopped irrigating and started aerating again.  Will need to have 3 good water sample tests in a row to start irrigating again.  He also reported some valves in the lagoon are frozen so he will get a quote on fixing them.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT:

 

Wilhelm reported that she received the first grant reimbursement payment from DEQ.  Also completed SAM.gov renewal and requested silviculture plan update.

 

OLD/NEW BUSINESS:

 

Larson reported that he will submit the permit renewal by August 12th. He anticipates approval of a five‑year renewal. The irrigation allowance for hydraulic loading continues to be based on the Priest Lake climate station, which provides a limit of 15 inches per acre. This limit is more restrictive than the Coeur d’Alene station, which would allow approximately 20 inches per acre. Using the Priest Lake station reduces the total volume of effluent that can be applied per acre and remains a key constraint in the District’s land‑application operations.

 

Larson noted that constructing a third lagoon would significantly improve nitrogen reduction by increasing retention time and treatment capacity but would require additional land for increased irrigation amounts. He will continue evaluating options that balance nitrogen compliance, hydraulic loading limits, and long‑term land‑application needs as part of its ongoing facilities planning.

 

Hall presented quotes for a pump replacement and impeller replacement for lift station 2.  The pump is running longer that it should and board agreed it should be fixed the most effective way.

 

Warren’s left a letter at the district office on August 10th 2026 stating they feel they are not being charged fairly with a deadline of September 14th for a response.  Larson agreed to call them and work on a solution to their complaint.

 

The board agreed there will not be a rate increase for 2027.

 

Motion to adjourn was made by Ventress seconded by Conboy.  Motion passed.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Stacy Wilhelm

Secretary/Treasurer