Click here to go to the Home Page Publication Archives Order form for advertising The Water Spout

December 14, 2003

Nebraska Section AWWA 2003 General Membership (Business) Meeting Minutes

The Nebraska Section American Water Works Association (NSAWWA) held the General Membership meeting on November 6, 2003, 1:30 p.m. during the annual Fall Conference at the Kearney, Nebraska Holiday Inn and Convention Center.

Meeting was brought to order by Chairperson Dennis Watts at 1:30 p.m. Dennis motioned to approve the 2003 General Membership meeting minutes, seconded by Tony Bilek, approved by all.

TREASURER'S REPORT/BUDGET

Balance sheet (attached) was presented by Treasurer Kevin Tobin. Total assets stand at $62,543.47. Budget requests should be submitted to Kevin for fiscal year 2004 as soon as possible. Chris Koenig motioned to approve the Treasurer's report, second by John Miriovsky approved by all.

DIRECTOR'S REPORT

• Director John Miriovsky reports the 2003 national association budget of $26.6 million was approved.
• All associations with Efficient Utilities (EU) have been terminated by AWWA national.
• The Annual Conference and Exhibition (ACE) in Anaheim, CA was held the week of June 16. Overall registration was up from last year as well as revenue from an increase in the number of vendors participating. Chris Koenig motioned to approve the Directors report, Second by Tony Bilek approved by all.

AUDIT

Dennis Watts reports that a third party audit will be performed in 2004.

AWARDS

Steve Kelley report (attached) indicates that five WISA awards will be presented at the banquet, as well as a Fuller Award.

BUDGET

See Treasurer's report.

CROSS CONNECTIONS

No Report

EDUCATION

Mike Wentink report (attached) highlights activities from last year and activities in progress for this year. Activities include work on the Training Coalition Calendar, joint training sessions with the Nebraska League of Municipalities, preparing the pre-conference training session for the 2004 fall Conference and participating in the League of Municipalities annual conference. A Cross-Connection "road show also is being worked on.

FALL CONFERENCE

Kris Ranselm reports registrations are virtually identical to the 2002 conference.

FULLER AWARD

See awards

MAC

Tony Bilek reports a record number of exhibitors are participating this year (58). Decision needs to be made by the Board if we are to consider alternate arrangements for additional vendors, as the number of vendors continues to increase. Further discussion will take place at subsequent Board meetings.

MEMBERSHIP

• Rich Robinson (report attached) highlights five key activities that are implemented and continue to be practiced for the promotion and recruitment of new members and retainage of existing. Current membership for the Nebraska Section stands at 319.
• "Share the Source brochures and mini CDs were handed out.

NOMINATIONS

Chris Koenig (report attached) Nominations for the 2004 Board of Governors has been published in the Wise Water Words publication and are posted on the section website.

PUBLIC INFORMATION

Nancy Gruwell (report attached) contracted over 25 "advertising spots on cable channels, promoting Safe Drinking Water Week. The promotions ran several times a day through the week of May 4-11. Report includes a listing of the times the promotions aired.

PUBLICATIONS

Mari Matulka (report attached) is finalizing the 2004-2005 membership directory. To date, 15 advertisers have reserved space totaling $1,905 in revenue. Income and activity regarding Wise Water publications and section website are included in the report.

RESEARCH

Dr. Bruce Dvorak (report attached) thanked the Association for participating in the funding of the copper and corrosion study for the University of Nebraska. There are a range of other research projects underway at the University.

SAFETY

• Rob Pierce (report attached) indicates that National is discontinuing safety awards for "smaller communities.
• Safety training topics were covered in 18 sessions during 2003. Two sessions specifically centered on trenching and shoring was also conducted.
• Twenty-one workshops are being scheduled for 2004.
• Five safety applications were received that met the criteria. One facility will receive the Award of Excellence at the banquet.

SCHOLARSHIP

Bruce Dvorak (report attached) reporting for Lynn Wegehaupt submitted data on the five students, their respective studies and the amounts each received in scholarship.

SMALL SYSTEMS

No report

STUDENT ACTIVITIES

Bruce Dvorak (report attached) reporting for Matt Morely. Report includes student attendance at various conferences throughout 2003, new student members, scholarship activity, officers and field trips.

WATER FOR PEOPLE

• Glenn Dostal (report attached) Participation in the ACE silent auction was continued with the section donating an Omaha Steak gift pack.
• The section fundraising efforts continue with the selling of raffle tickets. This year cashawards of $250, $150 and $100 will be drawn at the banquet. Raffle ticket sales have been very strong.
• National WFP is soliciting additional contributions from sections as the organization is facing financial issues.

WATER UTILITY COUNCIL

• Jerry Obrist (report attached) Detailed list of legislative bills are published in Wise Water publications. LB1003 appoints a Water Policy Task Force to examine management of ground and surface water, water transfers and inequities between surface and ground water users.
• Highlights of the "Water Issues Fly-in are detailed in the report.
• The Senate is working on the "Chemical Facilities Security Act-S994.
• The SDWA continues to be under review for potential changes to The Disinfection Rule, The Total Coliform Rule and triazines MCL.
• Efforts between the AWWA Telecommunications (TAW) and key telecommunications service providers and committees, continue for the securing of radio communication needs for Critical Infrastructure Industries.

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

Kris Ranselm (report attached) A "social/mixer will be held this afternoon after the Top Ops competition. Ben Day of Olsson and Associates will be the chairperson for the Young Professionals Committee in 2004.

OLD BUSINESS

The section Strategic Plan review/update (attached) was presented by Larry Andreasen.

NEW BUSINESS

• Section Bylaws revisions were mailed out for review and comment on September 25, 2003. Motion to approve the revisions was made from the floor, second by Larry Andreasen, approved by all.
• Paul Markowski, respectfully resigned his position of Trustee for the upcoming year 2004.
• John Miriovsky motioned to nominate Bruce Dvorak as trustee, second by Tony Bilek, approved by all. Rich Robinson made motion to cease further nominations from the floor, second by Kevin Tobin, approved by all. Motion to approve the 2004 Board of Governors was made by John Miriovsky, second by Dennis Watts approved by all.

Chris Koenig motioned to adjourn, second by Dennis Watts, approved by all.

Submitted for approval.

Tony Bilek NSAWWA Vice-Chair

top | Home