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01-10-2013January 10, 2013 A meeting of the Scandia Wastewater Advisory Committee was held on the above date. The meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Jim Schneider at 7:00 p.m. In attendance were: Doug Salmela, Brad Bergo, Wayne Schmidt, Council member Jim Schneider, Planning Commissioner Steven Philippi, Staff Kristina Handt, Tim Keiffer, Colleen Firkus, Engineer Phil Gravel. Members absent were James Malmquist, Mike Peterson, Daniel Cartier, Holly Kaufhold, and Councilmember/Chair Chris Ness, which resulted in no quorum. A discussion of issues followed. Council member Schneider reviewed the minutes from the previous meeting, asking for additions or corrections. There were none. It was noted the City Council decided on the capital improvements repayment plan in which 25% is billed back to the users of the Uptown Sewer System. Connection Policy - Amending Ordinance No. 108 for 201 System Engineer Gravel presented the proposed changes to Ordinance No. 108 governing the "201" Community Sewage Treatment System. In the past, new connections were prohibited unless sufficient capacity was available, and limited to residential users and to properties adjacent to the existing collection system. New wording would specify property owners seeking a new connection would have to prove it was not "feasible" to accommodate an onsite sewage treatment system. Proof would constitute a survey and an analysis from a State licensed onsite sewage treatment system designer. A discussion ensued as to the definition of "sufficient capacity." Gravel was directed to determine numbers for maximum peak flows and permitted flows. It was also suggested the word "feasible" be changed to refer to the language in Washington County's Septic Ordinance. The new ordinance would also spell out that the new user is responsible for all costs associated with hooking up to the system including, but not limited to the septic tank, sewer laterals, road repair related to the installation of the new equipment and any costs incurred by the City in the use of engineers or consultants. Kieffer asked that wet wells, pumps and control panels be added to the list of equipment. Salmela questioned the number of connections left on the Bliss side. He referred to a study done by TDKA a number of years ago. Salmela thought the study indicated there was room for five (5) more connections, with a couple of connections having been made since that study. He also mentioned there were still a lot of cabins on the Bliss side that if converted to year-round use would increase flows. Salmela asked if joint connections would be allowed to existing tanks. Staff recommended that all future connections be separate. January 10, 2013 Page 2 The committee also discussed the pros and cons of private versus city ownership of pumps and tanks, and how unusual it was for the City to own and maintain tanks and pumps on private property. It is customary for homeowners to own and maintain everything up to the main line. It was pointed out that the users are paying the city for maintenance through their user fees and that turning ownership over to property owners may result in a lack of proper maintenance. Mr. & Mrs. Continenza attended the meeting and asked when their connection request would be reviewed. It was determined the committee needed to wait for March flow results prior to making a recommendation to the Council. Future Meeting Date f Agenda The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 24 at 7:00 p.m. The revised ordinance, flow results and the Continenza request will be on the agenda. Meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Colleen Firkus Recording Secretary/Treasurer CITY OF SCANDIA WASTEWATER ADVISORY COMMITTEE Thursday, January 10, 2013 7:00 P.M. Scandia Community Center Board Room 1. Call to Order, Chair Chris Ness 2. Review Notes of Previous Meeting (November 1, 2012) 3. "201" Community Wastewater System a) Discuss Connection Policy -Ordinance No. XXX: Amending Ordinance No. 108 4. Set Future Meeting Date(s)/ Agendas 5. Adjournment Committee Members: Chris Ness, Councilmember/Chair Jim Schneider, Councilmember/ Vice Chair Steven Philippi, Planning Commissioner Daniel Cartier James (Moose) Malmquist Wayne Schmitt Holly Kaufhold Micheal Peterson Doug Salmela Brad Bergo Staff/ Ex-Officio: Kristina Handt, City Administrator Phil Gravel, City Engineer Tim Kieffer, Maintenance Superintendent Colleen Firkus, Treasurer and Recording Secretary November 1, 2012 A meeting of the Scandia Wastewater Advisory Committee was held on the above date. The meeting was called to order by Chair Chris Ness at 7:00 p.m. In attendance were: Wayne Schmitt, Holly Kaufhold, Michael Peterson, Brad Bergo, Chair Chris Ness, Council member Jim Schneider, Planning Commissioner Steven Philippi, and Staff Kristina Handt, Tim Keiffer, Colleen Firkus, Engineer Phil Gravel. Members absent were James Malmquist, Daniel Cartier and Doug Salmela. Also present was council candidate Dan Lee. Chair Ness reviewed the minutes from the previous meeting, asking for additions or corrections. There were none. "201" Community Wastewater System Engineer Gravel gave an update to test results of the Anderson -Erickson monitoring wells. Nitrates were low like the July reading, but ammonia levels were up. Analysis is needed to see the implications of the increased ammonia levels. Flows are running at 3,000 to 4,000 gallons. There was discussion about a Connection Policy. Gravel said issues like the Service Area, Parcel Size, and Zoning on multiple lots need to be determined to start drafting a policy. He suggested we use County criteria and our zoning codes. Also, the city needs to define the number of future potential connections allowed to keep within the flow limits. Ness also asked that the policy address how to treat people with their own on -site system. Gravel will work on a policy draft based on these guidelines. Uptown Wastewater System The proposed ordinance governing this system was reviewed. Kaufhold asked if all the current flow is split between current users is there a way for existing users to expand/get more flow. There was discussion about if users are using low flow toilets. Schmitt and Kaufhold indicated they are using low flow toilets. Kieffer will check with the church to see what they are using. Philippi suggested showing the cost savings the church would achieve with low flow toilets. Design flow is 2,000 gal/day. Kaufhold asked the city to consider ways more flow can be achieved as business increases. Administrator suggested sprinkler meters on outside faucets. Schneider, with a second by Ness, moved to recommend the proposed ordinance governing the Uptown Wastewater Treatment System to the city council. The motion passed unanimously. Rates for Uptown Administrator Handt gave an overview of proposed rates estimating the total costs for the upgrades at $155,000. She showed three payment plans at with interest rates November 1, 2012 Page 2 of 0%, 2% and 4% based on full loan repayment, and at 50% of the loan forgiven. Also, shown was what the rate would be with no debt payment loaded into it. The base rate in all cases was the same at $114.18, with a varying Use Rate based on past average water use. Schmitt and Kaufhold indicated they have not been able to pass on their increased costs to their tenants. Paying back the full loan with interest would not be feasible financially. just the upgrade alone to the Edward Jones property increased the taxes from $400 to $4,000, according to Schmitt. The proposed sewer bills are as much as rent charged in some cases. It is a bad time to cover these costs now. Users would prefer no debt payment. Schneider said the city has a responsibility to the users due to neglecting the system. Also, the city has historically supported the system through tax revenue. Kaufhold, seconded by Ness, moved to recommend the proposed User Charge and Connection Fee ordinance with the change to eliminate the debt payment from the volume charge. The motion passed unanimously. Draft 2013 Budget Ness, seconded by Kaufhold, moved to accept the draft 2013 budget as amended with removal of the debt payment. Motion passed unanimously. Future Meeting Date � Agenda The next meeting is scheduled for January 10, at 7:00 p.m. A draft connection policy will be discussed. Also, it was noted that Malmquist will no longer be able to attend meetings. Meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Colleen Firkus Treasurer CITY OF SCANDIA ORDINANCE NO. XXX AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 108: GOVERNING THE "201" COMMUNITY SEWAGE TREATMENT SYSTEM Section 1. Amendment. Ordinance No. 108, Section 8, CONNECTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY SEWAGE TREATMENT SYSTEM, shall be amended to read as follows: SECTION 8. CONNECTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY SEWAGE TREATMENT SYSTEM. New connections to the community sewage treatment system shall be prohibited unless sufficient capacity is available in all downstream facilities. Connections shall be limited to residential users only, and to properties adjacent to the existing collection system. A-.B. Only properties that are not able to accommodate a private onsite sewage treatment system will be permitted to connect to the communitysewage treatment system. Any property owner requesting a connection to the 201 system must first provide to the City a survey and an analysis from a Washington County licensed onsite sewage treatment system designer documenting that an onsite sewage treatment system is not feasible for the property. 1-:C..No unauthorized person shall uncover, make any connections with, or opening into, use, alter or disturb any portion of the system or appurtenance thereof without first obtaining a written permit from the city or county as may be applicable. C':D. All sewer connections shall conform to applicable requirements of the State Building and Plumbing Code and all applicable rules and regulations of the city or county. All connections shall be made gas -tight and water -tight, and verified by proper testing to prevent the infusion of infiltration/inflow. Any deviation from the prescribed procedures and materials shall be approved prior to installation. The connection and inspection shall be made under the supervision of the city Building Official or his designee. 9E_New users connecting to the system shall pay to the city a sewer connection fee in accordance with the current fee schedule set by Ordinance of the City Council. In addition to the connection fee the new user is responsible for all of the costs associated with hooking p to the community sewage treatment system including but not limited to the sqptic tank sewer laterals road repair related to the installation of the new equipment and any costs incurred by the City in the use of engineers or other consultants. Section 2. Effective Date. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect upon its adoption and publication according to law. Passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Scandia this _th day of , 2013. Randall Simonson, Mayor ATTEST: Kristina Handt, Administrator/Clerk