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East Grand Forks Water & Light Commission roundup: pool water donation, bids, resignations and maintenance approvals
Summary
At its May 9 meeting the commission approved donation of 326,500 gallons to the East Side Pool, accepted contractor bids for 2025 distribution work, authorized reservoir repairs and engineering submittals, accepted a plant operator’s resignation and approved the electrical system study authorized in a separate motion.
The East Grand Forks Water & Light Commission completed routine business and approved several motions at its May 9 meeting.
Votes at a glance
- Minutes (April 16): Approved (roll call: Quirk yes; Grindy yes; Rapaz yes; Riill yes). - Bills and payroll: Approved (unanimous roll call). - Donation: Approved donation of 326,500 gallons to fill the East Side Pool; commissioners also discussed a possible future donation (estimated ~100,000 gallons) to neighborhood outdoor rinks (no formal action recorded on rink donation at this meeting). - Electrical system study & arc‑flash analysis: Approved (see separate coverage). Not‑to‑exceed amounts: $74,300 (study), $6,300 (arc‑flash), total $80,600. - 2025 electrical distribution projects: Accepted low bid from Parsons Electric (low bid just over $60,000; engineering estimate $45,583). Motion approved by roll call. - Water treatment plant operator resignation: Accepted resignation of water‑treatment plant operator Seth Bond (last day reported as Friday, May 9); commission authorized civil‑service hiring process with internal posting then external recruitment if necessary. - Plant reservoir repairs: Authorized Seth Engineering to prepare plans and specifications for Minnesota Department of Health review and to proceed with repairs to the 1,000,000‑gallon reservoir constructed in 1951. - Sugar Hill substation roofing: Awarded to ABC Seamless (two responsive bidders); motion approved by roll call.
Meeting notes and notable details
Staff reported supply‑chain delays for materials but said a key fiber spool for 2025 work arrived, and crews are addressing streetlight and fiber outages caused by winter/wind damage. Staff reported submitting the 2025 lead and copper site sampling plan to the Minnesota Department of Health and collecting bacteria samples at the pool and a DNR campground; results were pending.
Regional water supply: Keith briefed the commission on efforts to determine cubic‑feet‑per‑second (CFS) releases from the Lower Red Lake Dam and related Corps of Engineers and DNR studies. Staff said accurate CFS numbers are central to deciding participation in regional projects such as the Red River Valley water supply project.
Personnel and procurement: The commission authorized starting the civil‑service hiring process for a water operator vacancy and accepted contractor awards for 2025 distribution work. Staff indicated union contract rules require an internal posting period before external recruitment.
The meeting adjourned by unanimous roll call.
