04_13_21April 13, 2021
A meeting of the 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.
The meeting was called to order at 5:30 by Administrator Cammilleri. In attendance were committee members Dan Cartier, Peter Nora, Craig Pittman, Perry Rynders, and Steve Kronmiller
as City Council liaison. Doran O’Brien was absent. City Staff in attendance were Ken Cammilleri, City Administrator, Ryan Goodman, City Engineer and Colleen Firkus City Treasurer. Also
in attendance were Bolton & Menk sewer consultants Jake Humberg and Seth Peterson.
CHAIR APPOINTMENT
After introductions of new members Rynders, seconded by Pittman, moved to appoint Kronmiller as committee chair. The motion passed 5 – 0.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Cammilleri asked the agenda be modified to as a discussion of the allocation of the cost of separating joint tanks. Rynders, seconded by Cartier, moved to add 4.a. to the agenda and
approved the amended agenda. The motion passed 5 – 0.
No minutes from the previous meeting were included and they will be voted on at the next meeting.
JOINT TANKS
Cammilleri indicated the City’s Sewer Ordinance needed to be updated to address cost allocation for the separation of shared tanks. The City currently owns the tanks and control panels,
but the cost for electricity for the panels is shared by the homeowners. Since the City owns the panels, and there is no ordinance to address this situation, then it appears the City
would be responsible for costs to split off a panel. Staff will provide Kronmiller with a list of shared tanks as per his request.
SCADA SOFTWARE UPDATE
Cammilleri explained when the City upgraded its network security in 2019, it did not include a software update for the SCADA system and now control panels can no longer be read remotely
when alarms are sounded after hours. Cost is estimated to be $1,100 to $1,400. Cartier, seconded by Nora, moved to upgrade the SCADA software as soon as possible. The motion passed
5 -0.
STATE BONDING REQUEST FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE BIG MARINE SEWAGE TREATMENT SYSTEMS FOR NITRATE AND CAPACITY ISSUES
Engineer Goodman led off the discussion with a review of the MPCA permit requirements mandated during this current permit renewal period. The MPCA did grant an extension due to the City’s
issues of funding and a transition in Public Works staff. A Projected Cost Memo was reviewed estimated Total Project Costs at $1,325,000 to $1,425,000. Purchase and Installation of
Nitrate Pre-Treatment Chamber is estimated to be $900,000 to $1,000,000. A requirement for flow meter readings will also require a replacement of those meters adding $30,000 to the
bonding request as well as $50,000 for miscellaneous repairs, and upgrading the principle Lift Station for $350,000. The MPCA will either put the City on Track 1 requiring a new monitoring
well, or Track 2 requiring a system to pretreat wastewater for nitrates.
There was discussion as to whether or not to add the expansion of the Anderson-Erickson (AE) to the bonding bill request. Goodman pointed out the City already has an unfunded mandate
issue now with the Bliss nitrate problem, and AE’s capacity problem could be considered a self-inflicted problem for allowing too many large homes on a system with capacity issues.
Remedial work is being done on Inflow & Infiltration issues by replacing and raising tank castings, and requiring grading plans so water does not flow towards or pool at tank covers.
Also, increasing flow capacity to over 10,000 per day will put the permitting process with the MPCA rather than the County. Cammilleri suggested a new subdivision in the area could
help pay for an expansion. Cammilleri indicated they are starting to collect groundwater samples at AE to check for nitrates to see if they are an issue at AE. Those nitrate levels
would be helpful if the City decides if expansion is economically feasible, or consider building a second system below 10,000 per day capacity. Current flows are averaging over the
permitted 6,500 gallons per day and go over 10,000 periodically during high use times and big rain events.
Cammilleri also pointed out a future need for the City to be permitting new connections which will require staff and funding. The County has been filling that role.
Cammilleri requested volunteers from the Committee to approach Representative Dettmer and Senator Housely to promote a bill in the State’s bonding schedule to fund this MPCA mandated
requirement. A bill would be introduced this year for consideration by the legislature in 2022. Mayor Maefsky, Councilmember Kronmiller and Administrator Cammilleri are the City’s contingent,
but additional promotion from the Committee and community members will help with getting legislative approval. Nora, Pittman, Rynders and Cartier all volunteered to be a part of the
process. Goodman indicated the City has a strong narrative with an aging system not built to treat nitrates, a mandate by the MPCA to treat nitrates, funding challenges with a small
number of system users, and denial by the MET Council to hook up to their system in the future due to their capacity issues.
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR FUNDING SEWER IMPROVEMENTS
Cammilleri presented one alternative from a financial plan to be discussed at a joint meeting of the City Council, Capital Improvement Committee and Wastewater Committee on April 21st
at 6:00 p.m. This option assumes the City will bond $350,000 over 15 years to fund the balance of the sewer improvements after applying state bonding of $737,500 and American Rescue
Plan funds of 4475,000. User rates would need to increase to cover the cost of the bond payments. The City will consider various types of bonds at a later date. The City may also consider
packaging other Capital Improvement needs with this bond to get better rates.
Rynders asked if the City could explore a way to measure flows so users could be billed more equitably for their actual use. Cammilleri said if meters were installed the City could have
a flat rate along with a usage rate like it does with its Uptown Sewer system. Costs for meter installation could be included in the bond issue request. The cost of meters will depend
on types of meters, and their replacement cost in 15 years will also need to be factored into long range financial planning. It is assumed they would be placed on the wells to meter
the water. Firkus will provide Goodman with the number of units currently being billed so he can work up some estimates for the next meeting.
Rynders, seconded by Cartier, moved to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 7:04 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Colleen Firkus
City Treasurer