MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE HARBOR WATER PUD
May 14, 2026

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The regular meeting of the Harbor Water P.U.D. Board of Directors was called to order by President Dan Fraser at 4:04 pm, May 14, 2026, in the administrative building, at 98069 W. Benham Lane, Harbor, Oregon
 

Board Attendance was taken
President: Dan Fraser “present” Vice President: Tom Beene “present” Board Member: Jim White “present” Board Member: Herman Bloemsma “present” Board Member: Bill Frye “present” Superintendent: Ken Burshem “present”
District Manager: Ami Arneson “present” IT: Ariel Poston “present” Engineer: Matt Robart /Camas “present via zoom”
 

Pledge of Allegiance was said.
 

No modification, addition or change to the agenda, or conflicts of interest was made. Beene made a motion to accept the agenda, White seconded, the motion passed 5-0. Yes: Bloemsma, White, Beene, Fraser, Frye. No: None.

Minutes from the previous board meeting on April 9, 2026, were reviewed. Beene made a motion to accept the minutes, seconded by White, the motion passed 5-0. Yes: Frye, Bloemsma, White, Beene, Fraser. No: None. May 2026 current bills, in the amount of $72,001.40 were presented, discussed, and approved. Beene made a motion to accept and pay the bills, seconded by Bloemsma, the motion passed 5-0. Yes: Bloemsma, White, Beene, Fraser, Frye. No: None.

 

Items For Action:

The office staff discussed the persistent cigarette smoke that enters the facility. The problem of the fire departments ongoing smoking in the bay doors was addressed in a number of ways. The board requested that Arneson follow up with Amy Cusumano, Harbor Fire Departments Chairman of the board regarding the state statute in Oregon that forbids smoking within ten feet of a public building. Also, put up more no smoking signs. Poston stated that we must update the present program because of onset of new problems with the outdated billing software. She recommended Muni Link. The new billing software will work with current meters / radios and any future upgrades we make. It will take 3 -6 months for the installation to be complete. The initial cost is $19,000, then $11,000 - $15,000. Annually.
Beene made a motion that Harbor Water PUD, updates the current billing system of CUSI, to Muni Link, Bloemsma seconded. The motion passed 5-0 Yes: Bloemsma, Beene, Frye, Fraser, White. No: None.

 

Superintendent Report:
Burshem reported only one break for the month. Currently they are working on fire hydrant and street valves. He also pointed out, that according to the Harbor Water PUD ordinances, all waterline extension projects to are subject to a 3% fee requirement. Burshem will reach out to the developers Don Kik and Jon Weaver and inform them of the fee. The board asked Burshem to reach out to the Curry County Road Department to inquire about using their land or turnouts as a staging area for the river project.
 

District Manager Report:
Arneson reported, during the inventory audit it was discovered that the Pelican Bay tanks were not insured. The tanks are Stainless steel, so the only insurance needed is earthquake insurance. In April, we received a FEMA reimbursement for $5,166.45. Arneson is waiting for a call back from Michael Smith of Columbia bank in regards to a business loan.
 

Engineer:
Robart presented the board with a proposal from Public Procurement Partners of Washington to initiate the contract for the bidding and contracting process for the FEMA project. The bid was for $23,800, with an additional $7,000, if needed for extra support. Beene made a motion that we hire Public Procurement Partners also known as PPP to oversee bidding and contracting of the Ranney Collector Project. Seconded by Frye, the motion passed 5-0 Yes:
Bloemsma, Beene, Frye, Fraser, White. No: None.
 

IT Report: Report given under Items for Action.
 

Public comments:
None
 

Board comments:
Fraser talked about a potential $1 million grant learned about via the Oregon Representative Court Boice of District 1. In order to submit an application, we need an updated cost estimate to Boice, Harbor Water PUD must do so by November. Robart was instructed by Fraser to produce an up-to-date cost list. The fact that Harbor Water PUD is earning more money from the LGIP accounts interest rate than from Columbia Banks money market interest rate was also mentioned. Frye made a motion that Arneson transfer $500,000 from the Money Market account at Columbia Bank to the LGIP account. Bloemsma seconded. The motion passed 5-0. Yes: Frye, Fraser, White, Beene, Bloemsma. No: None. Bloemsma mentioned that a board member should be overlooking Camas Engineering during the Ranney Collector Project. Other board members agreed. It was also brought up, that the project manager should be onsite during the Ranney Collector construction. Robart said, he wouldn’t be on site every day, but he was working with his team to come up with a plan. Frye proposed a $1 monthly increase in the basic rate. The monthly cost will thereafter be increased by an additional $1.00 in January 2027 until we receive the rate study that determines what our rate structure needs to be. Frye inquired about the status of replacing the meters / radios. The board asked Burshem to contact John (from the meter company) to inquire about the cost and quantity of radios in a pallet for a potential bulk purchase.

 

Revenue Fund $157,984.32
Money Market $1,465,205.39
Security $206,983.08
LGIP $1,008,684.39

Meeting adjourned at 5:45 PM