09.c1 Engineering Updates 10-19-21
City of Scandia
Engineering Updates 10/19/2021
Engineering italics = old information
· 2021 Street Improvement Project & Layton Ave N
City Council authorized Plans and Specifications for the 2021 Street Improvement Project at the
October 20th City Council Meeting and Approved Plans & Specifications and Authorized Ad for Bid at
the January 19th City Council Meeting.
Bid Opening was held on February 24, 2021 at 10:00am. March 16, 2021 City Council awarded the
project to North Valley, Inc. and the Preconstruction Meeting has been scheduled for April 20, 2021,
Contractor’s schedule will be discussed at that meeting and available for better updates at the City
Council meeting.
Contractor paved bituminous driveways the week of May 24th. Contractor paved wear course on
June 2nd and 3rd on Pomroy Avenue N/Peabody Trail N/220th Street N. These roads will be
shouldered and gravel driveways will be resurfaced the week of June 7th. Layton Avenue wear
course was paved on June 10th. Driveways were surfaced on June 16th. 220th Street and Pomroy
Avenue N were striped on June 21st. Layton Ave ditch/restoration work was redone on July 15th.
Watershed inspector to walkthrough site to potentially close out permit tomorrow Tuesday, August
10th.
Punchlist was sent to North Valley on July 15th.
Watershed has given to approval to close this permit out. Punchlist has 1 item left that
should be completed today. Still waiting on final IC134’s/Lien Waivers, then will be ready
for closeout.
· Bliss Drainfield System
Both the 2020 permit application for this system and the “final report” for nitrogen mitigation have
been completed and submitted to the MPCA. The memo which serves as a final report doesn’t
present final solutions for the nitrogen issue, but instead outlines the issues that have been found
and solved in this treatment system, as well as some additional testing that will now be
recommended to get a handle on the nitrogen, BOD, and TSS entering and leaving the facility. The
hope is to gain us a little more time from the MPCA before they mandate action. We’ll use this time
to perform the aforementioned testing and evaluate options for removing nitrogen at Bliss.
City received on February 22, 2021 a Pre-Public Notice Review of Draft Permit - Bliss Collector WWTP
(#MN0054119) that also included a statement of basis outlining any changes or new requirements to
the draft permit. This 30 day pre-public notice review period starts on February 22, 2021 and ends on
March 24, 2021. Once your pre-public notice review is complete the draft SDS permit will be placed
on public notice for 60 days.
· First thing that needs to be done is complete a Facility Evaluation Report within 180 days of
issuance of the new permit they requested. Based on the report, MPCA will then ask the City
to follow either Track 1 or Track 2. Track one is the new monitoring well. Track two is a
facility upgrade. There are a few other changes to the permit, they include some additional
monitoring required over this permit. Also, MPCA is requesting flow monitoring at WS 004,
WS 005 and WS 006. These are to each of the infiltration trenches. We are in the pre-public
draft notice stage where just the City received these draft documents and can
comment. We can review and suggest changes or modifications prior to March 24th.
· Current updates: Under track 1, the requirement to abandon GW 008 is included because
using this well for monitoring is problematic, since we have no information on the well’s
construction nor well boring records. Based on the limited information we do have, it is the
opinion of MPCA hydrologist, Steven Stark, that this well is too deep to be used as a
monitoring well and may be sampling a confined aquifer. All monitoring wells should be
sampling the surficial aquifer and have well screens that bisect the watertable.
· The justification for proposed timeline is sufficient and the new timeline will be incorporated
into the draft permit. Shown below (last page of this report) is a revised compliance
schedule. Flow monitoring requirements at WS 004, WS 005, and WS 006 will become
effective upon installation of the flow monitoring equipment. The permit will continue to
the 60-day Public Notice period.
The final permit has been issued. The assumption is that we’ll end up on Track 2, with
required system improvements due to the nitrate issue. Only thing that needs to take
place in the next 6 months (February 28, 2022) is for new flow meters to be installed at the
system, something we’ll begin working on. At the one year mark (September 1, 2022), we’ll
need to have a Facility Evaluation Report drafted to summarize the system’s ability or
inability to meet the nitrate limit.
· Sump Pump Inspection Program
2 homes/cabin remain to be inspected.
· Bliss Addition Stormwater Planning
Recent engagement with the Carnelian Marine St. Croix Watershed District resulted in the two bullet
points below:
· Cost responsibility - Who would take on what costs and how? Ideally the District would like
to participate with a Clean Water Fund Grant.
· Timeline - The District is working to complete the Subwatershed analysis for Big Marine
Lake. It will be complete by June 2021. Clean Water Fund Grants are awarded based on
how the score. Without a completed Subwatershed analysis for the entire lake and
application would score low. We planned to apply for a CWF grant in the fall of 2021 (after
the completion of the analysis). If the City would like to dedicate funding and move up the
timeline, they could request the CMSCWD Board of Managers consider funding a phase of
the project without a CWF grant. I do know that next year’s budget is tight with the state
required 10-year management plan update.
Temporary drainage improvements that included two options were presented at the August 5th City
Council Workshop that were intended to relieve drainage concerns at the property of 19123 Layton
Ave. Upon the discussion there seems to be separate opinions forming on both sides of the street of
what temporary solutions are favored but why the ultimate correction is not just completed in
conjunction with the storm sewer improvements identified in the neighborhood stormwater study.
On October 14, 2020 at the Watershed Board meeting, Board Managers approved $3,600 cost share
for option 1.
Watershed anticipates in 2021 they will apply for 2022-2025 Clean Water Funds to implement stage
1 and 2, but could potentially also apply for all three stages. It should also be noted it will be difficult
for the District to participate in just the directional pipe installation without the water quality BMPs
being installed in that area. City may want to consider adding water quality practices to this stage to
leverage more funds from District (with or without Clean Water Funds).
· Stage 1 – directional drilled pipe to re-route drainage to wetland
· Stage 2 – North Layton Ave bioinfiltration basin, concrete trench and enhanced ditch
improvements, west bioinfilration basins, and 189th culvert crossings and enhanced ditches.
Watershed has completed the evaluation of potential projects on Big Marine. The Subwatershed
Analysis is currently being prepared. Schedule still anticipates to be on track to apply for Clean Water
Funds in July 2021.
Meeting scheduled with City Staff and Watershed District to discuss Clean Water Fund Grant
Application on Thursday, July 22nd.
The final permit has been issued. The assumption is that we’ll end up on Track 2, with
required system improvements due to the nitrate issue. Only thing that needs to take
place in the next 6 months (February 28, 2022) is for new flow meters to be installed at the
system, something we’ll begin working on. At the one year mark (September 1, 2022), we’ll
need to have a Facility Evaluation Report drafted to summarize the system’s ability or
inability to meet the nitrate limit.
· CLFLWD Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan
60-Day Public Comment Period ended on April 30, 2021
Responses to comments were sent to review authorities on May 27, 2021. Visit:
https://www.clflwdplanupdate.org/documents
The Board will hold a public hearing for the WMP on June 10, 2021. Visit: https://www.clflwd.org/6-
10-21_regular_board_meeting.php
The 90-Day Draft Plan was sent to the Board of Water and Soil Resources on June 15th
The BWSR Central Region Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, August 4, 1-
3pm. This meeting will be held virtually (link/info forthcoming). It is during this meeting
that CLFLWD staff will give a 5-10 minute presentation on the draft Plan and answer any
questions the Committee may have.
The full BWSR Board will consider the Plan for approval at its meeting on August 25-26
(exact time TBD, but staff has been told that discussion/questions aren’t likely to occur at
this time).
· CLFLWD & Scandia Staff Quarterly Meetings
Meeting held on October 19, 2020.
Meeting on February 9, 2021.
Meeting on May 11, 2021 covered the following topics:
· Lake Management District Updates
· Bone Lake projects status
· Greenway Corridor Planning & Parks
· Roadway projects
· CMSCWD Managment Plan
· Bone Lake H&H Modeling Update at 5/13 Board Meeting.
Meeting on September 13, 2021 covered the following topics:
· Permitting Update
· Roadway Projects
· Tiller Mining and WD Boundaries
· Bone Lake projects status (SE wetland restorations, NE wetland restoration,
agricultural practices)
· FY22 Clean Water Fund grant application – Moody Lake projects
· Greenway Corridor Planning & Parks
· CLFLWD Watershed Management Plan
· CMSCWD Watershed Management Plan
· MnDOT/Washington County – Hwy 97 & Oakhill/CR 52
First initial contact/conference meeting with MnDOT to discuss issues and concerns with intersection
safety on October 13, 2020.
· This work has been completed; Signing – MnDOT will upgrade the size of all the fluorescent
yellow-green signs and add fluorescent yellow green tape to the sign structure (the post). At
the crossing itself MnDOT will be placing the enlarged signs back to back as to warn
motorist on approach of the crossing on Hwy 97. These additions will enhance the visibility
of the intersection.
· Striping - The school Xing pavement markings were completed with the last pavement
maintenance project, if City staff observes that these are worn out, please send in a request
to MnDOT and they will submit it to our pavement makings crew.
County Road 52/Oakhill
· City Council Workshop on June 2, 2021; Scandia City Council heard concerns residents who
live along Oakhill Road, east of the business area, where they have observed speeding traffic
and parking issues. One resident who lives at the site of the 30 mph zone remarked that the
majority of drivers do not slow their speed at all and race in and out of town, causing safety
concerns for the many pedestrians and bicyclists who share the road.
· Washington County has scheduled a meeting with City Staff on June 21, 2021 to discuss the
concerns brought forward to the City Council.
· Coincidentally the County has been communicating with the City Engineer to discuss Oakhill,
Highway 97, and Olinda Trail. We think this is a good time to have a conversation about
overall traffic flow, pedestrian connections, speeding, bike routing, school issues, etc. in the
“downtown” Scandia area and potentially start to develop a joint strategic plan for this
entire area – including engaging MnDOT about improvements to highway 97.
· CSAH 3 (Olinda Trail) Mill and Overlay Project
· Construction Contact: Allan Brandt (651-430-4348)
· If you would like to get these updates via email when they are available, sign up using the link on the
web link: https://www.co.washington.mn.us/2899/County-Highway-3-Olinda-Trail
· Contractor has finished the major work, currently working on site restoration and punch list
items.
· Floodplain Risk Assessment
Online Workshop held, January 5, 2021
The Brown’s Creek Watershed District (BCWD), Carnelian-Marine-St. Croix Watershed District (CMSCWD) and
the Comfort Lake – Forest Lake Watershed District (CLFLWD) are jointly evaluating approaches to conducting a
floodplain mapping/flood risk assessment with two goals in mind:
· The short-term goal is to outline potential approaches the watershed districts could take to map and
quantify future flood risk.
· The long-term goal for these watershed districts is to build a common understanding of risk and
prioritize projects and other resiliency actions.
Recommendations from consultants were to: 1. Conduct a GIS-based flood hazard assessment and workshop
and 2. Model both historical and projected rainfall data to evaluate current design practices and inform future
planning and management decisions.
CMSCWD has a completed Hydraulic and Hydrologic Model that was updated and calibrated in 2021. This model
will be the foundation for any future climate resiliency modeling we conduct.
CMSCWD has identified climate resiliency/floodplain risk assessment work to be conducted
in the 2023 in the CMSCWD Draft 10 Year Management Plan. The public comment period
for the Management Plan ends October 15th and the public hearing for the final plan is
scheduled for November 18th.
· 191st Street N and Kirk Ave/220th Street N Pavement Maintenance Project
Quote package was emailed out on Tuesday, August 8th requesting quotes back by Thursday, August 12th,
3:00pm so they can be included in the City Council packet for potential award at the August 17th City Council
meeting.
Contractor’s Request for Payment No. 2 and Final will be on the agenda as a separate
business item.
· Uptown Drainfield System Capacity Review
Recent inspection of interior of pumped-down EQ tank by Smilie’s didn’t detect any apparent
sources of I/I – we still don’t know where the additional flow that seems to be reaching the
treatment system is coming from.
Recently received some info which should help us predict flows from the downtown café once it
reopens.
After a final review we’re looking at allowing the proposed Heritage Center to connect to the
existing system without modification. However, we’d like one more specialist to take a look at
the system, specifically the drainfields, and verify that there isn’t evidence of an immediate
capacity problem. We’re currently working with this specialist to schedule a time for him to do
a site visit in the next 1-2 weeks.
· Regional Update – Highway 243 Osceola Bridge
MnDOT are in process of designing the reconstruction of the Hwy 243/Osceola Bridge over
the St. Croix National and Scenic Riverway, in partnership with the Wisconsin Department
of Transportation (WisDOT). The Osceola Bridge was built in 1953.
The purpose of this project is to maintain a reliable highway connection over the St. Croix
River for Hwy 243 between Washington/Chisago counties in Minnesota and the Village of
Osceola and Polk County in Wisconsin. The project team will work with federal, state and
local interests to minimizing project impacts to the St Croix River and other natural
resources in the area.
Project website: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/metro/projects/hwy243osceola/index.html
Schedule:
· Environmental documentation and preliminary design: 2021 through 2023
· Final design: 2023 through 2025
· Anticipated construction: 2025 through 2026
· CMSCWD 2022-2031 Watershed Management Plan and Rule Revision
CMSCWD Rule Revisions:
· The rule revisions were very minor. No substantial change to the intent per the
previous set of rules. Simply minor comments to address concerns surrounding “direct
conveyance to a groundwater repentant natural resources or public water”.
· The Watershed Management Plan states that a more significant revisions could be in
the next 3 to 5 years.
CMSCWD Watershed Plan:
· Bliss Addition Improvements listed as future projects for Big Marine.
· The water quality improvement, flood protection, wetland mitigation, and public out
reach goals all seem very achievable and will be accomplished proactively by the
district with partnerships.
· Page 70: “District Rules may be significantly revised in 2024/2025 in conjunction with a
voluntary grant program for communities to update stormwater and shoreland
ordinances and other controls by local government units. The Minnesota Minimal
Impact Design Standards (MIDS), or similar, may be incorporated at that time for
consistency among neighboring communities.”
o This will be a worthwhile effort for communities in CMSCWD, especially if grant
money is available, such that local ordinances match the watersheds
approach. This will dramatically simplify permitting.
o Scandia should continue to partner with the district on their regulatory
program in preparation for this potential change.
o Scandia should be especially aware as they have two watersheds. How will this
impact CLFLWD? Would they be willing to implement a new ordinance if it
deviates from CLFLWD rules? Would CLFLWD be willing to do the same?