7.c) Wastewater Advisory Minutes-09-20-2012 � . c
September 20, 2012
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 7:07 p.m. In
attendance were: Daniel Cartier, Holly Kaufhold, Brad Bergo, Council member Jim
Schneider, Staff Kristina Handt, Tim Keiffer, Colleen Firkus, Engineer Phil Gravel.
Members absent were James Malmquist,Wayne Schmidt, Mike Peterson, Doug
Salmela, Councilmember/Chair Chris Ness, and Planning Commissioner Steven
Philippi, 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.
"201" Community Wastewater System
Draft Budaet- The proposed 2013 budget was presented by Treasurer Firkus as
well as cash balance projections for 2012 and 2013. Cartier questioned the need to
have $5,500.00 as depreciation. It was explained that the $5,500.00 was actually to
build up the replacement fund.A replacement fund is required as a condition of the
"201" grant used to build the system. The city has also been warned by the State
Auditor's office about the insufficiency of its replacement fund. Cartier suggested
changing the wording from "Depreciation" to "Contingency Replacement" for the
$5,5001ine item as the auditors already depreciate the system by$30,000 annually.
Staff also recommended a rate increase of 5%, or $32.04. The new total rate would
be $690.76 annually or $172.69 quarterly. Rates have been level since 2009. The
cash balance of the "201" fund is projected to decrease this year due to the
engineering study and upgrades to the system.A rate increase is necessary to
recover those costs and continue to add to the contingency/replacement fund.
Committee members were in agreement with recommending a 5% rate increase,
except for Cartier who strongly objected, stating that the $5,500 "Contingency
Replacement" expense was sufficient being 9% of expenditures.
Anderson-Erickson Collector S�stem
Engineer Gravel presented the monitoring report for this system. His
recammendation was to continue testing before allowing any new connections. The
two samples taken were so different (nitrates high in March and low in July); further
testing is needed to see if the March reading was an anomaly. Mr. Christensen,
attorney for Continenzas, asked what happens if additional testing shows high
nitrates. Gravel said we would have to pre-treat to get the levels down. Gravel also
stated that even if the system could handle additional flow with new connections,
extra nitrates could push the system over its limit.Another sample will be done in
October and then another round next year. Gravel said a policy needs to be
developed to deal with requests for connections. Those present had a consensus to
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accept the engineer's recommendation for more testing before allowing new
connections and to work on a policy at the next committee meeting.
Bliss Collector S s�em
There were no questions about the Operating Agreement with EcoCheck/Natural
System Utilities. EcoCheck will take over as operator effective December 1, 2012 for
two years, and the city's contract with Washington County will terminate at the end
of the year. Cost is $6,660.00 per year, subject to adjustments for inflation.
U�town Wastewater S�stem
The City Council awarded the bid for the Uptown Wastewater Improvement Project
to Septic Check in the amount of$138,683.25 at their August 21, 2012 meeting.
Engineer Brian Malm reported at that meeting that he hopes to reduce the cost by
approximately$13,750 by making some changes to the plan. The work is to be
coordinated with Washington County's curb and gutter work on Olinda Trail.
Future Meeting Date J Agenda
The next meeting is scheduled for November 1, at 7:00 p.m. Items to be discussed
will be: 1) adequacy of current connection fee of$4,250.00, 2) identify the number
of potential connections for Bliss &A-E systems, 3) policy to handle connection
requests, and 4) the Uptown Sewer ordinance and rates.
Meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Coileen Firkus
Treasurer