2. Minutes 11-20-13November 20, 2013
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 6:00 p.m. In attendance were: Council
member Jim Schneider, Daniel Cartier, Wayne Schmidt, and Brad Bergo. Staff Kristina Handt,
Tim Keiffer, and Engineer Ryan Goodman. Members absent were Holly Kaufhold and Doug
Salmela.
Motion by Schneider, seconded by Cartier to approve the minutes from the August 28, 2013
meeting. Motion carried.
Motion by Schneider, seconded by Schmidt to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Staff Report
The committee reviewed the staff report from Public Work Director Kieffer regarding activities
related to the sewers since the last meeting.
Review October 2013 Test Results
Goodman summarized report on test results from October testing of the 201 system. No limits
were exceeded; levels have been coming down since the monitoring began. Pete Ganzel,
Washington County, has agreed to use the bent wells as piezometers.
2014 “201” Operating Budget
Handt explained the reduction in expenses from the last meeting was due to the assumption the
contract with Ecocheck would not be renewed at its expiration. With an addition to the staff, this
work will be brought in house. Kieffer provided additional quotes related to the control panel
upgrades. The original $45,000 included in the draft budget would not be sufficient to upgrade
the panels on Bliss 3 and 4, the pumps and a master station on the public works shop. Kieffer
proposed increasing the budget to $81,000 to get these completed in 2014. Then plan for
additional replacements in following years. Given that the 201 fund was projected to have a
balance around $170,000 by 12/31/13, there was discussion about also doing similar
improvements on the Anderson/Erickson portion of the system. Motion by Ness, seconded by
Cartier to amend the 2014 budget to include Bliss 3 and 4, Anderson/Erickson, pumps, and
master station improvements at a cost not to exceed $120,000. Motion carried.
201 Capital Improvement Budget
Kieffer presented a draft capital improvement plan for the 201 system to begin the discussion
about long range planning. The A/E control panels and pumps would be moved to 2014 per the
previous action item. Schneider asked if the drainfield cost estimate included the land and
improvements. The proposed $200,000 is just improvements and does not account for land
costs. Schneider asked if the current dranfield location could be used with an alternative system.
Kieffer will check with the County on what they would likely permit. No other changes were
made to the draft presented.
2014 Uptown Draft Operating Budget
Handt explained the reduction in expenses from the last meeting was due to fewer of the
Treasurer’s hours allocated to the system if quarterly billing was instituted and also the
assumption that the contract with Ecocheck would not be renewed similar to on the 201 system.
November 20, 2013
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Also, revenue projections had been changed due to a reduction in use from 2010. There were
questions on whether or not the reduction would allow capacity for new users. This will be
researched further by staff and brought back to the next meeting.
The Uptown System is projected to have a small fund balance by 12/31/13 mainly due to there
being less pumping required than budgeted for as result of the low usage. However, the pumping
costs remained the same for the 2014 budget because the amount of pumping needed could vary
depending on usage.
Expenditures exceed revenues in the draft 2014 budget. Since the variability in expenses
(mainly pumping) is related to usage, staff proposed an increase in the usage charge of 2% to
$15.28/1,000 gallons. While the projected fund balance could cover the losses for a couple
years, the committee discussed whether it was preferred to slowly increase rates to cover costs or
wait a couple years and have a larger increase. Schmidt said he preferred the gradual increase.
Motion by Cartier, seconded by Ness to recommend the volume charge be increased by 2% on
the Uptown System. Motion carried.
Uptown Capital Budget
Kieffer presented a draft capital improvement plan for the Uptown system to begin long range
planning. Given the 2012 Improvement Project, there were few items in the near future. The
blower replacement is scheduled for 2017 and pump replacements in 2022. The committee
discussed the drainfield replacement planned for 2027, which will be the largest expense for the
system.
Ordinance No. 148
Staff prepared Ordinance No. 148 which would amend Ordinance No. 134 Governing the
Uptown System. The amendment would allow for quarterly billing as opposed to the current
monthly billing. Motion by Schmidt, seconded by Cartier to recommend Ordinance No. 148 to
the City Council. Motion carried.
Ordinance No. 149
Staff prepared Ordinance No. 149 to amend the rates for 2014, setting a quarterly rate equal to
three monthly base charges to coincide with the change to quarterly billing. It was also noted
that the Ordinance would need to be amended to include the new $15.28/1,000 gallons as
discussed previously. Motion by Ness, seconded by Cartier to recommend Ordinance No. 149
with the changes to the volume rate to the City Council. Motion carried.
Future Meeting Date / Agenda
The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 19, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. The 201 upgrades,
Uptown flow/capacity issues, and drainfield replacement options will be on the agenda.
Motion by Schneider, seconded by Cartier to adjourn. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Kristina Handt
City Administrator