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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-08-12 UC MINi 1 INki ater THE OIRTHELACE OF MINNESOTA UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING August 12, 2021 8:00 A.M. Utilities Superintendent Benson called the meeting to order at 8:18 a.m. Present: Vice Chair Hudak, Commissioners Hutter and Whitcomb, Councilmember Polehna Absent: Chairman Speedling, Commissioner Jensen Staff: Utilities Superintendent Benson, Public Works Director Sanders APPROVAL OF MINUTES Possible approval of minutes of July 8, 2021 meeting Motion by Commissioner Whitcomb, seconded by Vice Chair Hudak, to approve the minutes of the July 8, 2021 meeting. All in favor. OPEN FORUM There were no public comments. NEW BUSINESS Possible approval of Utilities 2022 Operating Budget Public Works Director Sanders provided the proposed 2022 operating budget for the Sanitary Sewer and Water Departments within the Utility division. The proposed budget for the Sewer Department is $3,801,456 ($2.175M is for Met Council waste charges) and the proposed Water Department budget is $1,729,240. Staff recommends that the Commission review and approve the proposed operating budget for the 2022 Utility Division. Vice Chair Hudak asked, when a budget is approved, are funds shifted within the total amount if unexpected situations arise? Mr. Sanders answered if line items change, for instance a watermain breaks, funds can be shifted somewhat depending on the nature of the necessary work. The proposed budget does not include a specific line item for Smart Controllers, but he believes there is enough funding in the miscellaneous category to develop some type of rebate program where a property owner buys and installs the Smart Controller and applies to the City for a rebate. Motion by Commissioner Whitcomb, seconded by Commissioner Hutter, to approve the 2022 Utilities budget as presented. All in favor. Update on Water Use Restrictions Ordinance Public Works Director Sanders provided a proposed City Code amendment related to water conservation, which: 1) updates the procedure in declaring an emergency when there is a water supply shortage; and 2) creates a watering restriction during the summer months and allows the Utilities Commission to make a recommendation to the City Council to implement water restrictions when warranted. The water restriction would limit watering of lawns to odd/even days and prohibit watering from 10 am to 6 pm each day from June 1 to October 1. Violation would be subject to an administrative fine, at the discretion of staff to administer. First offense would $25, afterwards fines would double within a 12-month period. Staff recommends the Commission review, discuss and approve. If approved, staff would bring the amendment to City Council for final adoption. Utilities Commission Meeting August 12, 2021 Commissioner Whitcomb asked about accommodations for watering of new sod, new trees and so on. Mr. Sanders replied that new construction can get a waiver to water new sod, and hand -watering new trees would be allowed. Vice Chair Hudak asked, regarding water shortages due to drought conditions, if the City has enough capacity should two pumps go down at the same time. Mr. Benson said the City is permitted by the DNR to use 865 million gallons a year. The City can pump up to 10.5 gallons per day. If the City reached capacity with largest pump out, restrictions could be enforced. If a pump is lost, the City could still maintain the needed supply. Mr. Sanders added that if one pump went down, reducing the capacity from 10 million to 8.5 million gallons per day, the Commission could consider imposing restrictions. There are two parts to the ordinance. One part implements water restrictions for the summer months every year. Additionally, whenever there is a water supply shortage, the Utilities Commission would decide on a recommendation to impose water restrictions. Usage has been up to around 4-5 million gallons per day with the current drought conditions, less than half max capacity. Commissioner Whitcomb said he wants to make sure the ordinance does not create a problem for staff to enforce, for people watering trees. It seems to have flexibility to cover that. Motion by Commissioner Whitcomb, seconded by Vice Chair Hudak, to recommend the Council approve the Water Use Restrictions Ordinance as proposed. All in favor. Meeting time Mr. Sanders asked if the Commission would like to consider changing to an evening meeting to accommodate Commissioners who work during the day. Vice Chair Hudak noted it was much easier to achieve a quorum when meetings were done via Zoom. Commissioner Hutter said she is open to changing the meeting time if it works better for others. Mr. Sanders said staff will bring this up next time there is a full quorum. White Bear Lake Lawsuit Councilmember Polehna asked the status of the White Bear Lake lawsuit. Mr. Sanders replied there are still some pending appeals and litigation. As long as that is happening there is no action that the City must take regarding any of the requirements that were imposed. UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was no unfinished business. DIRECTOR/SUPERINTENDENT UPDATE Discussion on summer water use Discussed above. Monthly Updates - gallons pumped Mr. Benson provided the monthly totals. June and July were up compared to previous years. The City is at 456 million gallons pumped for 2021, slightly under 2018 numbers. Commissioner Whitcomb asked how the permitted amount gets changed to reflect population growth. Mr. Benson replied that the City may apply to the DNR to have the permitted amount adjusted. The City is still under the permitted capacity so there has not been a need to adjust the amount. Page 2 of 3 Utilities Commission Meeting August 12, 2021 COMMISSIONER ITEMS There were no Commissioner items. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Benson noted the next meeting is September 9, 2021. Motion by Commissioner Whitcomb, seconded by Vice Chai ,Hudak, to adjourn. All in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 9 a.m. ATTEST: 6k, &)162,11. Robert Benson, Utilities Superintendent urt Hudak, Vice Cha Page 3 of 3