11-15-18 meetingCity of Scandia
Wastewater Advisory Committee
Wednesday, November 15, 2018 – 6:00 P.M.
A meeting of the Scandia Wastewater Advisory Committee was held on the above date. The meeting was called to order by Chris Ness at 6:00 p.m. In attendance were: Council members Chris
Ness and Jim Schneider, Committee members Dan Cartier, Doran O’Brien, and Patrick Kelley. Staff present were Public Works Director Adam Hawkinson and Treasurer Colleen Firkus. Committee
Members Peter Nora and Craig Pittman were absent.
Approval of Agenda – A motion to approve the agenda made by Schneider and seconded by Ness. Vote: 5-0 motion carried.
Approval of Minutes – A motion to approve the minutes of the July 12, 2018 meeting was made by Ness and seconded by Schneider. Vote: 5-0 motion carried.
Sewer System Operations and Maintenance Update
Hawkinson reported that overall the systems are doing well. A shared pump station location had an alarm issue on November 9 which was resolved when a switch box was turned back on. There
are ongoing civil issues between neighbors at that site to be discussed later.
201 System Infiltration
The Committee discussed three options presented to proceed with an Inflow-Infiltration (I/I) compliance inspection program. The Committee was in consensus to recommend Option 2 where
Bolton & Menk would assist the City in developing an I/I Compliance Inspection Form and mailers, and train City Staff on what to look for and to document for inspections. Hawkinson
suggested costs could be reduced by inspecting Bliss in 2019 and AE the following year as it had already been inspected once. 2019 Budget adjustments to Staff Wages and Engineering
expenditures would need to be made if the City Council moved on this option.
Bliss Addition – MPCA Compliance Permitting
The permit for the Bliss systems expires February 2020. This system has a test well which is not in compliance. The City must submit a compliance plan to the MPCA by August 2019. It
was suggested that a new test well could be dug that could possibly solve the compliance problem. The Committee recommended Hawkinson consult with Bolton & Menk on the option and cost
of a new test well, and proceeding with the two plans recommended.
Dual Owners on Pump Stations
The Bliss system has 19 locations where there are two homes that share a pump station, where one home pays the electric bill. The City credits that homeowner’s sewer bill $2 per quarter
and charges the adjacent homeowner $2 per quarter. Xcel Energy has notified Hawkinson of one location where there is an excessive overdue utility bill and if their electric is shut
off the pump will shut down. This will impact the adjoining neighbor. The cost to split off this service would cost approximately $1200 to $1500. The adjoining neighbor has requested
the City pay to have electrical service for the pump station connected to their house. The Committee recommended that the homeowners be notified they would be responsible for the cost
to split the service or
the extra pumping costs incurred. The City would get the tank pumped and charge the cost to the homeowner not paying their electric bill. Hawkinson also discussed the possibility of
power interruption, other than delinquent electric bills, from the home connected to the pump through a fire, storm damage or other natural disaster. He suggested having a 110-volt
pump be on hand to install in the tank and change the pump’s electrical panel have a plug-in ready socket to transfer power to the other home or a generator. The other option would
be running a 220-volt line to each home so it can be switched over by throwing a breaker bar.
New Owners attaching to 201 System
The 201 System was installed with federal grant money in 1986. As a result, the City is required to maintain, repair and replace all components of the system outside of the dwelling.
Since that time many homes, including new construction, have hooked up to the system. The issue is is the City responsible for equipment maintenance and replacement if it was installed
at the homeowner’s expense, not under the federal grant. Staff expressed concern for installation of sub-standard equipment and the need to rely on the County for inspection and compliance.
The Committee was in consensus that since the users pay the City $800 per year for maintenance, and it is the City’s best interests to oversee maintenance, then the City should continue
to pump and maintain the tanks and control panels. It was suggested that the City attorney review the effect of a city policy that would only replace equipment put in with the federal
grant funds. There would be differential treatment of users depending on the source of funds for construction. Schneider mentioned that the users of the Uptown System were recently
made responsible for any equipment up to the main line.
Ordinance Change
Hawkinson suggested the ordinance be updated to include more specific penalties for meddling with City equipment, like cutting off locks, dumping, or any misuse that causes extra expenses.
The Committee suggested offenders be billed up to double the actual costs to penalize undesirable actions. It was mentioned that education information has been distributed to system
users.
Future Meeting Dates: Possible next meeting last week of January at 6:00.
A motion to adjourn was made by Cartier and seconded by Schneider. Vote: 5-0. Motion Carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Colleen Firkus
Treasurer