Minutes of Regular Meeting of Southern Black Hills Water System Board
Crazy Horse Monument
Thursday, July 24, 2025
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Southern Black Hills Water System was held at the Crazy Horse Monument on Thursday, July 24, 2025.
Chairman Wick called the meeting to order at approximately 1:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL – Board Members present were Wick, Baird, Baker, Beard, Kowalski, Nase, and Zolnowsky; Krump and Smith were absent. Others in attendance were manager Don Peterson, and observer Doug Musser.
AGENDA – Motion by Baird, 2nd by Baker to approve the agenda; motion passed unanimously.
MINUTES - Motion by Nase, 2nd by Kowalski to approve the minutes of the June 26, 2025 meeting. Motion passed unanimously.
TREASURER’S REPORT – Peterson presented the treasurer’s report for June 2025. The report was reviewed by the board members. The check sequence ending June 30 was check #4699 and beginning July 1 was check #4700. Motion by Baker, 2nd by Beard to approve the treasurer’s report and transfer $15,000 from the regular checking into the RD account; motion passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS –
Managers’ Report
Management is arranging resources for a tour to familiarize board members with SBHWS facilities.
Peterson will convene a meeting of the budget committee to propose a budget for 2026 before the August meeting.
RCS is starting to fill the new Paramount Point reservoir for testing, using potable water purchased locally. At the end of testing, this water will be pumped out and used to fill a local stock tank.
Longbranch Engineering has provided location information for SBHWS water system hydrants to Custer County Emergency Services.
Management has been preparing the annual report required by the Forest Service.
A pump seal failed and was repaired at the water treatment plant on Red Valley Rd.
Operational error by Flatland Engineering during pressure testing and leak detection led to excessive pressure on the Spring Creek Acres distribution main, the failure of the line within the Spring Creek Acres pump station, and a service outage to Spring Creek Acres customers. A clamp was applied to the PVC line to restore service. Another short service outage occurred the next day when the clamp required adjustment to ensure it held.
NEW BUSINESS -
The new Paramount Point pump station will require a larger backup generator than the unit currently onsite. Management has located an appropriate unit which is available for immediate deployment. Motion by Beard, 2nd by Baker to make a down payment of $33,066 to secure the generator unit; motion passed unanimously.
Due to a miscommunication, Baird had thought he needed to purchase a hydrant valve to be used for his connection to SBHWS service; his purchased hydrant value was not needed for the connection and been sitting unused since. Baird offered the valve to SBHWS at his cost. Motion by Beard, 2nd by Kowalski to purchase Baird’s hydrant valve for $600; motion passed unanimously with Baird abstaining.
EXECUTIVE SESSION -
Motion by Baker, 2nd by Nase to enter into Executive Session at 2:26; motion passed unanimously.
Motion by Baird, 2nd by Beard to move out of Executive Session at 2:37; motion passed unanimously.
There were no motions arising out of Executive Session.
UPCOMING MEETINGS -
The next meeting of the Southern Black Hills System Board will be Thursday, August 21, 2025 at 1:00 PM at the Crazy Horse Monument in Custer. Future board meetings will be September 25. The annual member meeting is tentatively scheduled for October 2, 2025 at 6:30 PM at the Pringle Community Center.
ADJOURNMENT - There being no further business, the chair declared the meeting adjourned at 2:52.
Crazy Horse Monument
Thursday, July 24, 2025
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Southern Black Hills Water System was held at the Crazy Horse Monument on Thursday, July 24, 2025.
Chairman Wick called the meeting to order at approximately 1:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL – Board Members present were Wick, Baird, Baker, Beard, Kowalski, Nase, and Zolnowsky; Krump and Smith were absent. Others in attendance were manager Don Peterson, and observer Doug Musser.
AGENDA – Motion by Baird, 2nd by Baker to approve the agenda; motion passed unanimously.
MINUTES - Motion by Nase, 2nd by Kowalski to approve the minutes of the June 26, 2025 meeting. Motion passed unanimously.
TREASURER’S REPORT – Peterson presented the treasurer’s report for June 2025. The report was reviewed by the board members. The check sequence ending June 30 was check #4699 and beginning July 1 was check #4700. Motion by Baker, 2nd by Beard to approve the treasurer’s report and transfer $15,000 from the regular checking into the RD account; motion passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS –
Managers’ Report
Management is arranging resources for a tour to familiarize board members with SBHWS facilities.
Peterson will convene a meeting of the budget committee to propose a budget for 2026 before the August meeting.
RCS is starting to fill the new Paramount Point reservoir for testing, using potable water purchased locally. At the end of testing, this water will be pumped out and used to fill a local stock tank.
Longbranch Engineering has provided location information for SBHWS water system hydrants to Custer County Emergency Services.
Management has been preparing the annual report required by the Forest Service.
A pump seal failed and was repaired at the water treatment plant on Red Valley Rd.
Operational error by Flatland Engineering during pressure testing and leak detection led to excessive pressure on the Spring Creek Acres distribution main, the failure of the line within the Spring Creek Acres pump station, and a service outage to Spring Creek Acres customers. A clamp was applied to the PVC line to restore service. Another short service outage occurred the next day when the clamp required adjustment to ensure it held.
NEW BUSINESS -
The new Paramount Point pump station will require a larger backup generator than the unit currently onsite. Management has located an appropriate unit which is available for immediate deployment. Motion by Beard, 2nd by Baker to make a down payment of $33,066 to secure the generator unit; motion passed unanimously.
Due to a miscommunication, Baird had thought he needed to purchase a hydrant valve to be used for his connection to SBHWS service; his purchased hydrant value was not needed for the connection and been sitting unused since. Baird offered the valve to SBHWS at his cost. Motion by Beard, 2nd by Kowalski to purchase Baird’s hydrant valve for $600; motion passed unanimously with Baird abstaining.
EXECUTIVE SESSION -
Motion by Baker, 2nd by Nase to enter into Executive Session at 2:26; motion passed unanimously.
Motion by Baird, 2nd by Beard to move out of Executive Session at 2:37; motion passed unanimously.
There were no motions arising out of Executive Session.
UPCOMING MEETINGS -
The next meeting of the Southern Black Hills System Board will be Thursday, August 21, 2025 at 1:00 PM at the Crazy Horse Monument in Custer. Future board meetings will be September 25. The annual member meeting is tentatively scheduled for October 2, 2025 at 6:30 PM at the Pringle Community Center.
ADJOURNMENT - There being no further business, the chair declared the meeting adjourned at 2:52.
