Lakeland Regional Sewer District – May 20th, 2026 Regular Meeting Minutes
CALL MEETING TO ORDER / REPORT OF MEETING NOTICE PROVIDED
Lakeland Regional Sewer District (LRSD) Board of Trustees met at the District’s Administration Office, 5002 East 100 North, Warsaw, Indiana. The monthly general meeting date and time were posted and advertised as required and was called to order at 6:00 PM by Jim Haney.
Present: Jim Haney, Mike DeWald, Mark Koehler, Jack Bonewits, Bob Hookman
Absent: Rosa Ritchie, Cullen Reece
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
Mr. David Cruea requested a $22.00 credit to his account due to excessive pump operation caused by heavy rainwater flooding his grinder station. Mr. Cruea explained that water entered the station housing, causing the pump to run for an extended period of time. He provided a copy of his electric bill from the previous year demonstrating a $22.00 increase in usage.
Motion by Mike DeWald to take up the matter at the current meeting; second by Bob Hookman.
Motion carried by voice vote: 5 Yeas; 0 Nays; 0 Abstains.
Motion by Jack Bonewits to approve a $22.00 credit to the account; second by Bob Hookman.
Motion carried by voice vote: 5 Yeas; 0 Nays; 0 Abstains
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS GENERAL MEETING MINUTES
A draft of the April 15th 2026 regular meeting minutes was submitted to all Board members via email on April 21st, 2026 with a second draft sent on April 29th, 2026.The final version was posted in Boardable on May 5th, 2026.
Motion by to approve Mike DeWald; second by Bob Hookman.
Motion carried by voice vote of: 5 Yeas; 0 Nays; 0 Abstains
NON-COMPLIANCE SECTION 15.4.2 OF THE DISTRICT’S USE ORDNANCE
Lakelife Bar & Grill, represented by Nathan Berry and professional advisor Steve Shankster (via phone) of Shankster Bros. Septic Tank Pumping Company, appeared before the Board. Jim Haney asked about the spike in sample results during the month of March. Mr. Shankster explained that after a system cleaning, loosened solids can sometimes be released and subsequently captured during sample collection, although he noted this was only a possibility. He stated that increasing the frequency of service should help reduce the likelihood of future exceedances. Mr. Shankster further commented that the cleaning frequency currently being maintained by Mr. Berry exceeds that of most systems serviced by their company throughout Northern Indiana.
Motion by Jim Haney to rescind the two fines assessed at last month’s meeting for the exceedances dated March 9 and March 30, while leaving the three prior fines in effect pending review of test results through the end of July. LRSD will not file liens for the penalties regarding those 3 fines at this time; second by Bob Hookman.
Motion carried by voice vote: 5 Yeas; 0 Nays; 0 Abstains.
Lyn Doerr, representing Barbee Restaurant, along with professional advisor Steve Shankster, with whom she has been working regarding the system. Mr. Shankster explained that on May 10 he failed to install the system baffle as previously arranged with Ms. Doerr. The oversight was corrected with installation of the baffle on May 18. Mr. Shankster expressed hope that the addition of the baffle would resolve the issue. He further stated that, similar to Lakelife Bar & Grill, Barbee Restaurant is currently maintaining its system more diligently than most systems they service.
The Board reiterated that its goal is to ensure the systems are functioning properly and expressed appreciation for the recently consistent corrective actions being taken.
TREASURER’S REPORT AND OTHER FINANCIAL MATTERS Mike Dewald overviewed the Cash and Funds Balance Matrix – April 30th, 2026 denoting the funds grand total of $2,652,947
Mike DeWald overviewed the Management Cash Budget of April 1st, 2026 through April 30th, 2026.
The following April 2026 financial reports, prepared by Krohn & Associates, were presented by Mike DeWald: Unaudited Schedule of Cash Receipts and Disbursements; Monthly Analysis of Funds Balances; and Monthly Analysis of Cash and Investment Accounts.
Motion by to approve Jim Haney; second by Jack Bonewits.
Motion carried by voice vote of: 5 Yeas; 0 Nays; 0 Abstains
The Monthly Claims Approval form of April 2026 was reviewed by Jenna Habegger
Motion by Jim Haney to approve the payment of monthly claims grand total of $65,990.74 with second by Mike Dewald.
Motion carried by voice vote of: 5 Yeas; 0 Nays; 0 Abstains
Board members affixed their signature approval to the Monthly Claim Approval Form.
ASTBURY MONTHLY REPORT
PUMP/PANEL INVENTORY, CUSTOMER PROTOCOL REMINDER
The LRSD Treatment System Operations Treatment System Operations Report of April 2026 was emailed to Board members by Astbury Water Technology, Inc. Matt Rippey reviewed key aspects of the report and provided clarifications to Board members’ inquiries.
Jim asked for Astbury’s opinion on if there should be a thought in place to replace gaskets in “x” number of years. Matt explained that would be a good idea in the high flood and traffic lid areas. Jim also asked if LRSD should evaluate adding risers to the non-traffic lids in the high flood areas to rule out water getting in the gasket. Bob suggested finding a source to make custom gasket replacements as it would be more feasible. Andy assured the Board that all districts are dealing with this issue and he’ll ask around to see what others are doing. Jim explained he does not want to lose sight of the issue as it doesn’t happen often but feels it’s best to try to stay ahead of it. Matt explained that during the mapping inspection they are spending a lot man hours trying to locate curb stops. In order to speed up the inspections they are going to begin noting the properties that they are easily located and after all inspections are complete, come up with a game plan for the properties where they were not obviously located.
Matt provided an update regarding shared grinder station B553-02 and explained that installing baskets on each side simultaneously would interfere with the operation of the floats as they lay on one side or the other. The solution is to do one side at a time.
Lid Station Damage 45,43, EMS B42F A50-11
Jim reminded the Board that this matter was discussed at the previous meeting; however, no motion was made regarding whether the customer should be charged for the damages.
Jim made a motion to charge the property owner who installed the asphalt driveway for the damage to the grinder station lid and for the repairs completed by Astbury, noting that the damage occurred on the side of the lid adjacent to said driveway; seconded by Jack Bonewits.
Motion carried by voice vote of: 5 Yeas; 0 Nays; 0 Abstains
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR COMMITTEE
Nothing to report
ENGINEERING UPDATE
Riser Repair 26 EMS B40E
Jim explained that the crushed stone driveway and the storage building were put in after the property was built and the grinder installed. The riser was put in after the station was damaged previously. Astbury provided photos of the current damage showing the damaged basin but the lid still being intact which indicates something got under it and hit the riser and fractured it.
Motion by Jim Haney to charge the property owner for the repairs that Astbury had to make; second by Mike DeWald.
Motion carried by voice vote of: 5 Yeas; 0 Nays; 0 Abstains
Damaged Lid 34 EMS 18
Property owner Jeff Van Osdol at 34 EMS B18 called 5/18/26 to report lid damage on his (not shared) station. He stated that his neighbor told him that she wanted to try to get the road widened and the station moved. He believes that she drives over it from time to time, but he cannot be certain if that’s how it broke. Matt sent the attached photos of the station and said that it will need a 24″ lid and a 24″ repair insert. Jim asked Matt to send side by side cost comparison to fix the lid with a regular lid or with a traffic rated lid. Once received, the decision will be made on next steps.
PURCHASING UPDATE
Nothing to report
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Nothing to report
PROPERTY OWNER CONNECTION STATUS
Jenna reviewed the Property Owner Connection Status report, updated through May 18th, 2026
Pulver – TBD South Barbee Drive permit extension request
Jim made a motion to allow the permit to remain open until June 2028; second by Bob Hookman.
Motion carried by voice vote of: 5 Yeas; 0 Nays; 0 Abstains
OTHER ITEMS THAT MAY COME BEFORE THE BOARD
The Board discussed the communication that came from Area Plan regarding the communication tower, ferric chloride tank & cement pad, and a mobile storage trailer that is on our property and the need for permits. DLZ is doing some research and once we get more information we will follow up with them.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Jim to adjourn meeting was made at _8:00_ PM with second by Jack Bonewits.
Motion carried by voice vote of: 5 Yeas; 0 Nays; 0 Abstains
Submitted to Board by Jenna Habegger, District Administrator
Reviewed by Board Secretary, Rosa Ritchie