Foothills Residents: Here are the minutes of the 1/17/2023 JFD #1 meeting.

The meeting was called to order at 7:05pm.

Attendees: Jeffrey Earl, Fred Lavenberg, Drew Bulfer, Brian Stevens, Charlie Windisch.

Location: Deborah Rawson Library meeting room.

1. Bill payment status: Marilyn (via email) stated that as of January 15, 51 households had paid the first quarter bills, 21 that have not. Reminder notices will be sent out.
2.  Treasurer’s report: Brian indicates overall we are in a good position with our finances. Our cash assets are on the low side at present, but we expect the dollars to come in from the state bond and that will restore cash levels to a very healthy level.
3. Bond vote: The vote to approve/disapprove the proposed bond from the State drinking water fund was unanimoulsy approved on December 19, 2022. (Thanks to all who took time out of their day to vote!). The JFD #1 clerk (Charlie Windisch) will submit the necessary documents to our counsel who will review and then forward to the state for the disbursemnt of dollars.
4. Discussion was held regarding engaging with a state program that will put JFD #1 on a priority list in case additional dollars are needed for future improvements.  The program will involve a Prudential Committee member to attend a course offered by the state, and having a Professional Engineer review our current operation. The decison was made to go ahead, as there are many pro’s to doing so and no con’s.
5. Valve replacements – There were a number of curbstop valves that were identified as needing replacement. The committee will get the list from SOS and contact Chris Wells (excavator) to get the work done this year.
6. Bill autopay at Community Bank – All officers have signed the necessary paperwork to begin the process of allowing residents an autopay option. More to come on this.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:49pm.

The information meeting regarding the upcoming bond vote (Loan # RF3-469-3.0) was held on 12/12/2022 at the Deborah Rawson Library meeting room.

Attendees: Fred Lavenberg, Jeffrey Earl, Dan Dube, Jon Byer, Mac Lippert and Charlie Windisch.

Meeting called to order at 7:11pm

The background regarding the need for the loan was discussed. In summary:

The greensand filter (primarily removes the manganese from the water) was installed in 2003 and had reached the end of it’s life. Concerned that the structure could collapse at any time (and result in an immediate and very expensive repair) the Prudential Committee made the decision to have Culligan replace the filter this past summer. The total bill for the greensand filter project (engineering fees, labor, the filter itself) came to $68,335.

Some time prior to last summer, the Committee had been in touch with the state to obtain a long term loan (bond) from the state’s drinking water revolving fund, as the reserves of the Jericho Fire District #1 were not sufficient to cover the full cost of the project.

The state approved our application for $60,000. The loan will be paid over 20 years (one payment per year of $3669.78). There will be no impact to the current quarterly bills.

However, since we are a municipality, the bond cannot be simply accepted by the committee – it must be voted upon by the registered voters of the Foothills development.

That vote will take place next Monday, December 19, 2022. Polls will be open from 10am to 7pm at the Deborah Rawson library meeting room.

There was a question as to whether there are other pending projects regarding the water system. The committee does recognize the need to eventually replace the existing piping that runs from the wellhead to the pump house. The committee wants to take advantage of another state program that will enable dollars to be available for that effort when the time comes.

The meeting ended at 7:30pm

Minutes of the 11/15/2022 JFD #1 Meeting

Location: Deborah Rawson Library Meeting Room

Attendees: Fred Lavenberg, Jeffrey Earl, Ann Lerner-Kroll, Brian Stevens, Dottie Windisch, Charlie Windisch

Meeting was called to order at 7:07pm

1. Recap of last meeting: Presentation by the State on a program to obtain money for future water related projects went well. The board felt this was a program we should engage in and will force us into doing things we should be doing anyway, such as an inventory of all equipment/facilities, expected lifetime and replacement costs.
2. Bill payment status: One household is still in arrears from the 2^nd and 3^rd quarters. Bill collector (Marilyn) is working with the party as they attempt to get aid from the State and get caught up.
3. Mission System (communication between pump house and reservoir) – the antenna at the pump house will be replaced with a 4G antenna in an attempt to get a more robust communication system in place.
4. The field down by the river has been brush hogged by Chuck Wiegand.
5. The excavation hole (summer repair to fix a leak) near the pump house has been filled in.
6. The committee unanimously approved a Resolution Certificate and Warning for an upcoming bond vote. More information to come on this, but the Prudential Committee will ask Foothills residents to vote on a bond that will enable JFD #1 to borrow money to pay for the greensand filter (and associated valves, control and pipe) that was installed last summer.
7. The electrical box at the pumphouse is actually in good shape, so no switch replacements are needed.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:02 pm.

The meeting was held on 9/20/2022 at the Deborah Rawson Memorial Library.

Attendees: Ann Lerner Kroll, Fred Lavenberg, Chris Laskowski, Jeff Earl, Brian Stevens, Charlie Windisch.

The meeting was called to order at 7:06pm

1. The minutes from the August meeting were approved.
2. Water bills payment status: One household has not paid the 3^rd quarter bill yet. The committee is working with another household towards paying the 3^rd quarter bill in stages. About half of the households have paid the 4^th quarter bill. (Note: 4^th quarter bills are due October 1^st !)
3. The excavation to fix the mid summer leak still needs to be filled in. A call will be made to Chris Wells (excavator) to do this.
4. Financials: Brian reported that income (water bill payments) and expenditures are tracking according to the norms.
5. We are tentatively approved for our loan from the state Drinking Water fund to cover the replacement of the greensand filter. One outstanding action item is a vote is needed by the neighborhood to authorize the borrowing of the money. More details to come as to how and when this “bond vote” will occur.
6. The circuit panel box in the pump house needs replacing. The committee will get two estimates and schedule the work.

Comments/questions invited.

Attendees: Drew Bulfur, Fred Lavenberg, Brian Stevens, Jeff Earl, Marilyn Marshall, Charlie Windisch.

Meeting was called to order at 7:05pm.

1. The minutes from the July 2022 meeting were approved.
2. Third quarter water bill payment status: One household has not paid as of the meeting date. Further action will now be taken in an effort to obtain payment.
3. Autopayment – The committee decided to put off for at least a quarter any additional steps of an autopay approach to paying the water bills.
4. Fourth quarter bills will be sent out early September. Bills will be due October 1st.
5. Communication between pump house and the reservoir: The communication takes place using a cell phone approach. The radios were upgraded in early August. This will improve the communication between the two buildings and lead to a constant water supply at the reservoir.
6. Greensand filter replacement cost: A partial payment ($15K) was made to Culligan Water from our reserves. The rest will be covered by the forthcoming loan from the State Drinking water fund.
7. Application to the state for the loan for the greensand filter is in the final stages. We have already been approved and the committee is working with the state towards completing the paperwork.
8. The electrical box in the pump house needs to be replaced as soon as possible. The committee will address and get estimates.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:07pm.

Attendees: Chris Laskowski, Drew Bulfer, Brian Stevens, Marilyn Marshall,

Fred Lavenberg, Charlie Windisch.

Meeting was held in the meeting room at the Deborah Rawson Memorial Library. Meeting was called to order at 7:08pm.

1. June meeting minutes were unanimously approved.
2. Water bill payment status: As of meeting time, six households had not paid their third quarter bills. A second notice will be sent out by the end of the month to those households that are delinquent. The email approach seemed to work reasonably well. There are a few accounts that requested a bill by mail (these requests were honored).
3. The committee is still looking to streamline the bill pay process further.  We are exploring an automated payment method through the Community Bank (local bank on the corner of Raceway Rd and route 15. This essentially would be a type of automatic payment directly to the bank. Marilyn Marshall agreed to write a draft letter explaining the process and send to the committee for input and comment.
4. The dehumidifier in the pump house is working very well. Previously, there was always a lot of moisture in that room, which combined with the chlorine led to significant corrosion of the greensand filter structure. The current lack of moisture should insure the new structure lasts a long time.
5. We are awaiting final sign-off from the Professional Engineer for the new greensand filter. A water sample needs to be taken and tested.
6. Payment from the State Drinking Water Fund is in the final stages. We have been approved; the money is there. We expect the money will be released in the next few weeks.
7. A payment is due to Culligan for installation of the new greensand filter. Brian to contact Culligan to discuss a partial payment, with the knowledge that money from the state is forthcoming.
8. The committee has a request for those that walk their dogs on the land by the pumphouse – please pick up after your pet!! There are plastic bags on the gate at the entrance. 
9. Meeting was adjourned at 7:45pm

(Note: The pipe breakage which led to the disruption of the water supply happened after this meeting. This issue will be discussed at the August meeting.)

The June meeting of the JFD #1 was held June 21, 2022 at the Deborah Rawson Library. The minutes are as follows:

Attendees: Marilyn Marshall, Fred Lavenberg, Drew Bulfer, Jeff Earl, Brian Stevens, Chris Laskowski, Charlie Windisch.

Meeting was called to order at 7:08pm

1. Minutes from the May 2022 meeting were approved.
2. Bill payment status: All households are paid for the second quarter.  One household still owes for the first quarter of this year.
3. Due to continuing issues with late payments, the board has agreed to follow and enforce the statutes with regard to late payments and termination of service. The statutes, as applicable to JFD #1, can be found at jerichofoothills.org/foothills-water-system, Water System Rules + Regulations. (Note: These regulations mirror the state regulations.)
4. The new greensand filter is in place and is operational! Work was completed by Culligan Water and LaPlante Plumbing.
5. Financials: Brian Stevens reported our balance sheet is in good shape. We do have some dollars in reserve, but this is needed as a pipe breakage (unpredictable!) can easily cost many thousands of dollars.
6. Loan to pay the greensand filter bill: We do have an application on file with the state to tap into the State Drinking Water Fund. We are trying to get the approved amount bumped up to cover the entire cost of the project.
7. Culligan and SOS (Simon Operation Services) have both recommended we purchase a commercial grade dehumidifier for the pump house. This will remove excess condensation from the pump house and prevent corrosion of the greensand filter structure. The board unanimously agreed to authorize the purchase the dehumidifier.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:20pm

Attendees: Jeff Earl, Drew Bulfer, Anne Kroll Lerner, Charlie Windisch

Meeting was held at the Deborah Rawson Library; called to order at 7pm.

1. Second quarter bill status: 5 households are currently delinquent; one household is awaiting aid from the State. Second notices have gone out. (As a side note, residents are strongly encouraged to pay on time! Water bills should be treated as any other utility bill. Delinquency can result in your water being shut off.)
2. Third quarter bills: Notices will be sent out for most residents via email. Instructions will be included, but for the most part will be the same as for the US Mail notices. “Water BIlls Due” signs have been purchased and will be set up at the entrance to the neighborhood mid June. 
3. Greensand filter replacement: The work is scheduled for June 16th. There should be no impact on the neighborhood water supply.
4. State Drinking Water Funds: The committee continues to pursue tapping into the state funds, which would provide low interest loans and possible loan forgiveness, for the greensand filter project.
5. Curb stop replacement: Several valves were flagged as potentially problematic last summer. The committee is in the process of getting a quote refresh to have this work done (most likely in the Fall of this year).

Meeting was adjourned at 7:40pm. The next meeting will be Tuesday, June 21 at 7pm.

Comments invited.

Foothills residents – Here are the minutes from the April 2022 JFD #1 meeting.
Attendees: Jeffrey Earl, Drew Bulfer, Anne Kroll Lerner, Fred Lavenberg, Charlie Windisch.
The meeting was called to order at 7pm via Zoom.

1. 2^nd quarter bill status – Marilyn reported that as of 4/15, 11 households had not paid yet (bills were due 4/1). These households were contacted and a second notice was sent out. A big change for the billing process – for the next quarter, bill notices will be sent out via email (to the extent possible) rather than US mail. This is a test run; we will see how it goes. If successful, it will significantly save dollars normally spent on first class stamps. A notice will be sent out prior to the due date (July 1) via the All Foothills distribution list, and a sign will be posted at the bottom of Foothills Dr and Raceway informing residents.
2. Greensand filter replacement: looks like this will happen the second week of May. Financing: Drew Bulfer to check with the State to see where we stand with regards to obtaining funding from the State Drinking Water fund.
3. Culligan (greensand filter manufacturer) has recommended a dehumidifier unit for the pump house. This will dry out the air and eliminate the corrosion that has affected the filter support structure.
4. There was a discussion regarding the hardness of our water. No doubt, it is considered hard, but not unusually so. The greensand filter removes the manganese, which had been a problem prior to it’s installation. The water is tested regularly by SOS to check for abnormalities. A water quality report is issued to all residents annually. (A side note: Among the members present, some have water softeners, some don’t. Seems to be a personal preference.)
5. Curb stop replacement – We will get a quote refresh from Wells excavating.

All for now. Comments/questions invited.