Below represents the minutes from the most recent Trustee meeting.  These minutes are unofficial until approval at the next board meeting.

 

The Combined Lake Delhi Recreational Facility and Water Quality District

Regular Meeting

Thursday, June 18, 2015

6:30 PM

Lake Delhi Administration Building

Delhi, IA

The regular meeting of the Lake Delhi Recreational Facility and Water Quality District was called to order by President Steve Leonard at 6:30 PM.

Trustees present: Leonard, Kramer, Burger, Gifford, Kray, Davidson, Colgan

Trustees absent: None

Recording Secretary: Shelley Kallenbach

Visitors: Larry Peter, Evelyn Peter, Jim Locke, Pat Dede, Don Dede, Ken Kray, John Carbaugh, Pauletta Carbaugh, Sue Christianson, Lou Christianson, Ken DeKlotz, Barb DeKlotz, Nancy Hurt, Doug Herman, Larry Aschbrenner, Bob Galiher, Lola Galiher, Dan Staebell, Chris Stender, Wanda Davidson, Chloe Colgan, Jen Colgan

Motion to approve the posted agenda was made by Kramer, seconded by Gifford, motion approved.

Motion to approve the May 21, 2015 meeting minutes made by Colgan, seconded by Davidson, motion approved.

Kramer presented claims for payment. Claims in the amount of $2,805.84 for electricity, website renewal, lobbyist expense, office rent, and LP tank repairs were made from the General Fund. Claims in the amount of $665,104.73 for Phase 1 and 2 payments and engineering services were made from the Dam Spillway Fund. Davidson motioned to approve the presented claims for payment, Colgan seconded, motion approved.

Motion to approve a request for reimbursement to the DNR in the amount of $356,196.52 for expenses paid by the district was made by Davidson, seconded by Gifford, motion approved.

Motion to approve a request for reimbursement to Delaware County in the amount of $154,138.10 due to the county’s repayment rate of 50% was made by Kray, seconded by Leonard, motion approved.

Kramer presented the financial reports. The General Fund had revenues from Delaware County and interest in the amount of $3,574.43, and expenditures of $32,042.59 for an LDRA donation and other administrative expenses, ending May with a balance of $188,776.44. The Debt Service Fund had revenues from Delaware County in the amount of $8,560.74 and no expenditures, ending May with a balance of $16,290.00. The Dam Spillway Fund had interest income of $3,994.15 and expenditures totaling $1,502,298.69 for Phase 1 and 2 payments and payments for the Turtle Creek project, RNA septic project, and engineering expense, ending May with a balance of $3,430.050.46.

Kramer presented an update on a monthly budget report. Kramer will be presenting a monthly budget plan at the July meeting once the June reports are complete and numbers for the rest of the fiscal year are final.

Leonard motioned to approve a donation of $1,000 to the Delhi Fire Department, Kramer seconded. This donation is in regard to several services given by the Fire Department. The donation has no restrictions for use. It will help cover the cost of the dry pump installations on the lake. It will also express appreciation for the Fire Department’s willingness to assist with control burns for lake bed cleanup as well as to come and use chainsaws in difficult to reach areas. No further discussion, motion approved.

Colgan presented GCI Change Order #1 in the amount of $2,512.65. This change order is for materials and labor to move dam lighting to a better location given the installation of the new dam gates. Burger motioned to approve, Davidson seconded. Gifford asked if there is any process of oversight into GCI subcontractors to confirm the subcontractors are using the best bid for this and future change orders. Colgan stated that all change orders are reviewed by Stanley Consultants to confirm the bid specifications are appropriate for the work done. Stanley Consultants also has an individual on-site to monitor time sheets for accurate reporting. No further discussion, motion approved.

Kray presented the first draft of a list of tasks required prior to dam completion. This list was created with assistance from Larry Peter. The list will continue to be added to and edited so task assignments can be made for all tasks requiring completion before lake fill. Leonard motioned to approve filing of the task list, Burger seconded, motion approved.

The Board heard committee updates.

Gifford presented updates from the Lake Bed Committee. The Lake Bed Committee has met and catalogued further problem areas, which have been updated on the real-time cleanup map on the website. The Committee is in the process of taking volunteers and assigning people and dates to clean specific areas. Chris Stender was recognized for cutting from the Hartwick Marina to Hartwick Beach with heavy equipment. Stender stated that cleanup with this equipment goes quickly. Gifford affirmed that certain areas are not accessible by this equipment and chainsaws will be required to clear these areas. Cleanup dates and volunteer needs will be released to the public as soon as they are available.

Leonard presented updates from the Dredge Committee. Leonard stated that the Committee will be working with the NRCS, lobbyists, and the DNR to look for resources available for the mitigation of siltation on the lake. Some of the siltation on the lake is coming from property owners along the river and not just from upstream. The Committee will be working to create short-term and long-term plans to reduce existing siltation and reduce siltation accumulation in the future. A plan to distribute siltation removal equitably around the lake is also being discussed. Initiatives to fund these dredging projects will be considered as plans become available.

Colgan presented updates from the Dam Construction Committee.

Phase 1 construction is nearing completion, and Lunda Construction is expected to be finished and withdrawn by July 4^th. Two of the three dam gates are now installed and the third is expected in the next week. These gates can be raised multiple ways, including with the use of a ¾ inch drill. These gates will be the major way to control the lake level at flows over 400 cfs.. The lake overflow spillway will be constructed at one inch below lake level, so the lake level can never go above one inch below normal lake level. These gates have lake level sensors that will automatically begin to lift the dam gates in one inch increments up to 17 feet to control lake level as necessary. The lake will no longer be able to store any water. The new dam will be able to pass up to 69,000 cfs of river flow. A emergency diesel generator has also just been installed to provide electricity to the dam controls in the event of a power outage on the lake. In a worst-case scenario, the gates can be lifted manually with a ¾ inch drill. Use of stainless steel for strategic components and sealed bearings will result in very little maintenance required for the future. There is no future date for when to expect 100 year flood plain adjustments. However, improvements to individuals’ flood plain classifications may be expected in nearly all cases.

Phase 2 construction with GCI began on April 1^st. 15 dewatering wells that go 50 feet below ground have been installed to lower the water table under the dam spillway behind a temporary cofferdam to allow work on the dam spillway. This temporary cofferdam breached on Sunday, June 13 between the temporary cofferdam wall and the original dam concrete wing wall due in part to heavy rains. Within 24 hours GCI had a report on the failure available and made plans to make the failed cofferdam stronger, including new cofferdam sheets, attaching the steel sheets to the concrete wing wall at the point of breach, sealing, and large rocks to additionally bolster the repaired temporary cofferdam. These repairs will begin once the river level has lowered enough to allow access. The dewatering wells will then be used to remove the overflow water. Colgan stated that the most important things to know about the temporary cofferdam breach are as follows:

1. No work had yet been done within the dam spillway, so no work was lost as a result of the temporary cofferdam breach.
2. GCI is contractually responsible for 100% of the cost of the breach, so this has no financial implications for the District.
3. The temporary cofferdam was designed by a licensed professional engineer and was required to be reviewed by both Stanley Consultants and the State of Iowa. This was simply the result of a weak link and the significant amount of rain.
4. Cofferdams do commonly breach, and this is not the first time a cofferdam has breached in the area. Other recent cofferdam breaches include two in Waterloo, and also breaches in Waverly and Minneapolis.
5. CGI has assumed responsibility and is insured to cover all costs associated with the breach. They are now more committed to going forward as quickly as possible and to putting additional measures in place to the temporary cofferdam that are not contractually obligated in order to protect and maintain their reputation. All parties involved are moving forward.

Kray presented updates from the Dam Water Quality Committee. Kray contacted Dennis Lyons for updates on the water septic survey. Lyons stated they have issued 14 permits and about 10-15 people have called about the survey next steps. Lyons reiterated that if residents received a letter regarding septic inspection, to contact him as soon as possible to record time frames for completion.

The Funding/Finance Committee had no updates.

Leonard gave updates on the septic systems in the Rocky Nook area. These systems are nearly complete and are going through the review process prior to signing off on the system. One hookup is still being looked at, and once it is complete sign off and payment to the contractor will be finished.

Leonard gave updates from the Legislative Committee. The legislative session is over, but the governor is going through the bills approved to look for those he may wish to veto. Applicable funds that increased funding, pending governor veto, include an increase to lake restoration funding to a total of 9.6 million and an increase to the CAT grant program to a total of about 5 million dollars. This is good for future funding opportunities. The Board will seek to have the governor visit the lake this summer for updates on the dam’s progress and to discuss funding opportunities.

Leonard also stated that three Board members have been going to homeowners’ association meetings to present updates on dock permits, the individual dredging process, the community fund, fish stocking, the wall of recognition, the septic system updates, and other pertinent information. He stated that if residents have an upcoming homeowners’ association meeting, the Board is offering to participate to give updates and answer questions from the public. He also expressed thanks to the homeowners’ associations that the Board has been able to meet with so far.

The DNR wishes to inform the public that an Open House will be held on Saturday, June 20, to assist individuals with the permitting process in person and answer questions. The DNR also wishes to thank those who have come in during the week to allow more time for individuals who must come on Saturday. Please contact the DNR for a Saturday appointment if desired.

The floor was opened for public comment.

Bob Galiher requested an update on the dredge site owned by the LDRA. Leonard stated that the dredge strategy has to include that dredge site. Bill Holman from Stanley Consultants, along with Dave Finks, have reviewed the site and the history of the site to make a report on what is necessary to make the area operational.

Larry Peter reminded residents of the option to use the LOMA process to exempt from force-placed flood insurance. This process allows mortgage holders to apply for a flood insurance waiver following a survey of the property if you feel your property should not fall in the flood plain. Burrington Group out of Manchester is familiar with this process. Also, for residents wishing to contribute to the Delhi Fire Department, there is can recycling at the Delhi Fire Department site that gives proceeds to the Fire Department for additional funding.

Sue Christensen stated she would like to give her paperwork and financial statements regarding water quality to the Board now that the Board will be taking over water quality management. The Board accepts and thanks her for her work.

Pat Dede requested additional information about the septic inspection letters Dennis Lyons sent. The Board is unaware of how many letters were sent and how many inspections are remaining. The Board believes it is in residents’ best interest to call and discuss scheduling inspections with Dennis Lyons as soon as possible, as lack of response would count as evidence leading toward forced inspection. The Board states to call Lyons with questions regarding the inspections, and he has been working with all who communicate with him.

Bob Galiher requested more information regarding the coring for dredging process occurring in certain areas of the lake. The Board discussed that these soil samples are being taken to determine the location of virgin ground in strategic areas of the lake, which will allow for mapping necessary to dredge in the future. By taking these samples now, the Board will not need to apply for a dredge permit in the future to conduct any dredging.

Bob Galiher also asked about how to permit dredging on personal property. The Board discussed the individual property dredging permitting process that was developed to allow property owners to remove or move siltation from their property through a simplified permit application. Additional information on the process is available on the Trustee website and in past issues of the Lake Delhi Voice.

Barb DeKlotz asked the Board to make the Delaware County Sheriff aware of contact information in the event of an emergency. The Board discussed how well the emergency management plan worked during the temporary cofferdam breach, and agreed to give updated information to the Delaware County Sheriff department.

Barb DeKlotz also asked about transitioning the LDRA back to active status with the lake fill approaching. The Board is happy to meet to begin that transition.

No further public comment.

Davidson motioned to adjourn, Gifford seconded, meeting adjourned at 7:39 PM.