07-24-19 minutesCity of Scandia
Wastewater Advisory Committee
Wednesday, July 24, 2019 – 6:30 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 6:30 p.m. In attendance were: Council member Chris
Ness, Committee members Dan Cartier, Patrick Kelley, Peter Nora, Craig Pittman. Staff present were Public Works Director Adam Hawkinson and Treasurer Colleen Firkus. Committee Member
Doran O’Brien was absent.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA – A motion to approve the agenda made by Cartier and seconded by Kelley. Vote: 5-0 motion carried.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES – A motion to approve the minutes of the November 15, 2018 meeting was made by Cartier and seconded by Kelley. Vote: 5-0 motion carried.
SEWER SYSTEM OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE UPDATE
201 System Infiltration
Hawkinson reported that the inspections for sump pumps is starting in August with letters going out to residents this week asking residents to call the office to schedule inspections.
Remedial work is also planned to be done on tanks, risers and seals to prevent water leaking into the tanks during rain events. Hawkinson said a letter will go out to affected residents.
Bliss Addition – MPCA Compliance Permitting
Hawkinson the compliance plan for the Bliss system is on track for September submission to the MPCA. He is still waiting for the MPCA to get back to him on putting in a new test well
and will follow-up with them again.
Dual Owners on Pump Stations
The shared pump issue was resolved by getting a portable pump that can be run off a generator or from the adjoining house in the event the electricity is turned off on the shared neighbor’s
property.
New Owners attaching to 201 System
Hawkinson would like to get a recommendation to the Council regarding a policy for the responsibility of new homeowners hooking up to the 201 System. If a new tank and pump system is
installed with oversight by Washington County, the City has no control over the quality of the system. The City would continue the maintenance of sludge judging and pumping the tank.
However, if a substandard pump or control panel is installed and fails, it should be the homeowner’s responsibility to replace it. Kelley asked if the city could audit the contractors’
materials, like the pump, to meet the qualifications of the system. No method to do that is in place. Committee members thinks that the City should provide specifications to the homeowner
and permitting authority. Firkus mentioned that the city is notified of issued permits and receives an emailed link to permit information, but doesn’t know if the pump specs are included.
Hawkinson mentioned that he has come across pumps that don’t have a manual run switch which they need to test the AMP draw on the pumps.
Repairs
Hawkinson said the lift station readings on the values for the sand filter were operating opposite of the readings, one wasn’t working, and there was a broken flange. He is going back
to installer to get this corrected since the new control panels were installed in 2015.
Spring Flooding
There was a flooding event in March that overwhelmed the system that used up a lot of the pumping money in the budget. The functioning of the laterals needs to be investigated as to
why the effluent wasn’t accepted during that event. Hawkinson received a $1,700 quote from Smileys to take a look with cameras and blow them out. If further repairs eats up more of
the budget, Hawkinson is suggested the scheduled pumping be put off until next year, although sludge judging will still occur to determine which tanks need pumping. Ness asked what
happened with charging the person who blocked the overflow to the lake that precipitated the flooding in a whole neighborhood. Hawkinson said all the details with pictures were given
to the City Attorney. Ness asked for a follow-up. FEMA may also reimburse the City for some of those pumping expenses.
2020 OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGET
Bliss System - Hawkinson presented four scenarios of yearly rates increases (5%, 10%, 15% and 20%) with the objection of having enough money to make bond payments if the nitrate problem
is funded through a bond over 20 years. Cartier suggested bonding for the 5-years projected capital expenditures. Ness suggested going with a 5% increase as it is an annual increase,
and potentially having a user meeting to explain why the increases are necessary to maintain an ageing system. The Ness, seconded by Cartier, recommended a 5% increase for 2020 for
the Bliss Sewer System. The motion passed 5 – 0.
Uptown System – Hawkinson suggested at a future meeting the Committee discuss adding a fee to the Uptown bills to start building up a reserve for future system replacements. The 2020
Budget presented to the Council recommended a 5% increase in 2020. Since the fee is based into two parts, base and volume, the Committee recommended a 2.5% increase on each part. That
would result in an annual increase of $8.32 on the base and $4.76/1,000 on the volume rate. Ness, seconded by Cartier, recommended at 2.5% increase on both the base rate and the volume
rate. The motion passed 5 – 0.
The Committee recommended a letter be sent to users with the next bill explaining the expected increase in rates for 2020.
Future Meeting Dates: Possible next meeting in October.
A motion to adjourn was made by Hawkinson and seconded by Cartier. Vote: 5-0. Motion Carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Colleen Firkus
Treasurer