08-26-20 minutesCity of Scandia
Wastewater Advisory Committee
Wednesday, August 27, 2020 – 5:30 P.M.
A meeting of the Scandia Wastewater Advisory Committee was held on the above date with modifications. Due to the health advisory issued by the State regarding the COVID-19 outbreak,
to avoid public gatherings and limit social contact, the meeting was conducted over an electronic platform. All committee members and staff who joined the meeting remotely could hear
each other and contribute to discussions. City Administrator Ken Cammilleri was the presenter and displayed the meeting materials for participants to view on their remote screens.
The meeting was called to order by City Administrator by Ken Cammilleri at 5:30 p.m. In attendance were: Committee members Dan Cartier, Patrick Kelley, and Peter Nora. Staff present
were City Administrator Ken Cammilleri, Public Works Director Adam Hawkinson, City Engineer Ryan Goodman, and Treasurer Colleen Firkus. Committee members Doran O’Brien and Craig Pittman
were absent.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA – A motion to approve the agenda made by Kelley and seconded by Nora. Vote: 3-0 motion carried.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES – A motion to approve the minutes of the July 24, 2019 meeting was made by Kelley and seconded by Nora. Vote: 3-0 motion carried.
SEWER SYSTEM OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE UPDATE
Uptown Sewer
Public Works Director Hawkinson reported a smoke test was performed and a couple of leaks were found but nothing major. There may be issues with the pump timers. The budget has a 5%
rate increase for 2021. City Administrator Cammilleri asked if capacity is an issue with Uptown as Scandia Heritage & Arts Center may wish to hook up to it in the future. There are
no plans to put a SCADA system in Uptown for remote readings as the pumps are readily accessible whereas in the Big Marine Sewer area they are more remote.
Big Marine Sewer
Hawkinson reported Inflow & Infiltration (I&I) problems, especially in the Anderson-Erickson (AE) side will be addressed by replacing and raising original lids and old seals that let
water seep in during spring melt and heavy rains. FEMA provided $12,000 for flooding issues, plus $30,000 for a pump failure and values in the 2019 flooding.
City Engineer Goodman presented an update on the nitrate issue at the Bliss drainfield. Hawkinson had reported to the Council that they discovered that several dropboxes in the drainfield
were being under-utilized with the majority of the effluent waste going mainly into one trench out of ten which was overloading the ground in that area. They are working to mitigate
this problem by modifying the dropboxes to spread out the waste among the other trenches and introducing a microbial treatment to Lift Station #2 to begin the breakdown of the nitrogen
throughout the whole system. Each dropbox will also have an access for future monitoring of trench activity. Goodman said these mitigation issues were reported to the MPCA in the permit,
but permit process is slowed due to the pandemic. Cammilleri pointed out that if this doesn’t address the nitrate problem, then a more substantial upgrade will be necessary.
Goodman also suggested that though the MET Council would not allow a long-term fix by connecting into the metro system through a connection with a future eastern expansion by Forest
Lake in the last Comprehensive Plan, the City should continue to pursue that avenue in future Comprehensive plans and getting the city out of the drainfield business.
Anderson-Erickson Capacity
Goodman explained that back in 2012 the city took over the operation of the system from the County and corrected some issues. The system has exceeded permitted peak flows and design
flows regularly. The City Council has granted variance requests for expanding seasonal homes which have increased volume as well as significant I&I issues. Hawkinson is proposing to
replace lid accesses for pump tanks and raise them above grade to help correct I&I issues. Additional pipe was run in 2001 to add more homes along 188th Street. The City has considered
expansion but has not acted. Goodman suggested the City might not want to expand as a system over 10,000 gallons would require a higher level of permitting through the MPCA. The County
is the current permitting authority and has not commented on the flow data. Cammilleri pointed out the City ordinance does not mandate connections and that he has the authority to deny
further connections. Hawkinson has verified that the test wells have tested well, only high on chlorides. Goodman pointed out the property improvements are causing more water to flow
over property and enter the system and cramping drainage abilities. Cammilleri stated the Shoreland Ordinance is being updated with the help of the Conservation District to help address
these issues, and the city ordinance needs updating as well. Proposed changes will be brought before the Wastewater Committee.
2021 OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGET
Bliss System – Cammilleri presented updated capital budget figures. The projected cash balances include a 5% annual rate increase which does not cover the expenses, even with leaving
out depreciation as an expense, the AE drainfield expansion/backup drainfield, and the nitrate solution project. Pump replacements were moved out to 2024 and a grinder pump item was
removed from the capital budget. Reserves need to be built up to address these issues, as well as considering bonding for the nitrate solution project.
Goodman will figure out the acreage needed for a backup drainfield for AE at a maximum of 10,000 gallons. Zoning can also restrict density to keep capacity under 10,000 gallons and
keep the permitting at the County level. Goodman said the budget needs to address replacement for mains and lateral pipes. Cammilleri said it would be a capital expenditure and could
be recaptured by expensing the depreciation through a Capital Improvement line item of $5,000 to start in 2021 and increase over time. Unfortunately, there are no road projects slated
for the area in which it could be combined. Committee member Nora asked what part of the budget addresses I&I issues, if expenses could be reduced to help keep rates down, and can we
get comparable rates in other communities. Cammilleri is recommending to the City Council a utility rate study as part of a city comprehensive long-range financial management plan,
but that information would not be available until the end of the year. The Committee will set a cash balance goal for the next five years and make a rate increase recommendation at
the next meeting. Capacity of the Uptown should be looked at as well.
Future Meeting Dates: A meeting will be scheduled for October if there is an update from the MPCA and/or an Ordinance update is ready for review, and then a final meeting in November.
A motion to adjourn was made by Cartier and seconded by Kelley. Vote: 3-0. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 7:18 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Colleen Firkus
Treasurer