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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-07-08 UC MINi 1 INki ater THE OIRTHELACE OF MINNESOTA UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING July 8, 2021 8:00 A.M. Utilities Superintendent Benson called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. Present: Chairman Speedling, Commissioners Hudak, Jensen, Whitcomb Absent: Commissioner Hutter, Councilmember Polehna Staff: Utilities Superintendent Benson ELECTION OF OFFICERS Motion by Commissioner Whitcomb, seconded by Chairman Speedling, to elect Commissioner Hudak as second vice chair. All in favor. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Possible approval of minutes of April 8. 2021 meeting Motion by Commissioner Whitcomb, seconded by Commissioner Jensen, to approve the minutes of the April 8, 2021 meeting. All in favor. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Roger Ryan - Service insulation Superintendent Benson summarized a request from Roger Ryan, 1016 North Third whose water service line runs in off Wilkins Street. He is on the list of people whom the Department calls to remind them to leave their water running, because their service line tends to freeze. In 2014 Mr. Ryan's service line froze. His property sits lower so he has a septic tank with a pump going up to a manhole. At the last meeting the Commission was going to see when the next street project will be done in that area, as that would be a good time to insulate the line. However, the street was redone in 2012 and will not be redone soon. Mr. Ryan got an estimate from Bell Excavating of $17,800 to insulate 60 feet of his service line. He has asked if the Commission would consider assisting with funding to help insulate the line. Mr. Benson voiced concern about setting a precedent for others by assisting with funding. Mr. Ryan said he requested bids from two other companies but did not receive them. Commissioner Whitcomb suggested trying to get a second bid. He is working on a project with Miller Excavating. He agreed to help Mr. Ryan get a second bid. Additionally, the Commission should discuss a standard course of action for Mr. Ryan and other homeowners on the freeze list. Chairman Speedling commented that in the past, the Water Board had some programs that funded front end costs for improvements and allowed property owners to pay back the costs over time. Mr. Benson said the Finance Director does not recommend that method of funding improvements. OPEN FORUM There were no public comments. NEW BUSINESS Possible approval of Utilities Capital Outlay Items -2022 Utilities Commission Meeting July 8, 2021 Superintendent Benson reviewed a list of the 14 items that are proposed for capital outlay funding in 2022, totaling $1,525,000. Motion by Chairman Speedling, seconded by Commissioner Hudak, to recommend that the City Council approve the proposed 2022 Utility Department capital outlay budget. All in favor. Discussion on proposed water use restrictions Mr. Benson stated that currently, there is no permanent watering restriction in place. Implementing watering restriction encourages water conservation and would help lower the per capita water use. He presented an overview of a proposed odd/even sprinkling ban from June 1-October 1. Past policy has always worked but the goal is to boost conservation. Most of the communities in the metro area already have such a policy in place. Commissioner Hudak asked, why limit the ban to certain months? Mr. Benson answered that June -October are high demand months, mainly due to irrigation of lawns. Commissioner Jensen asked how a watering ban would be communicated to property owners. She suggested using the State communication email system used by other cities, in addition to the City web site and Facebook. She feels the City should expand their communication options. Commissioner Hudak asked, who would enforce the ban and what is the penalty for violation? Mr. Benson said if the Commission approves the concept, the next step would be to look into enforcement methods and ramifications. Commissioner Jensen suggested that this may be an opportunity for the City Council to also consider what to do about irrigation systems that spray water into the street or are running during rain. Motion by Chairman Speedling, seconded by Commissioner Hudak, to recommend that the City Council adopt a permanent watering restriction using the proposed draft language. All in favor. 2021 Fee Schedule Mr. Benson reviewed the proposed list of 2021 Water Department fees. Unpaid water bills will now be assessed to the taxes. In addition to the existing fee schedule, staff is proposing a new fee of $2,500 for use of hydrant meters. Motion by Commissioner Whitcomb, seconded by Commissioner Hudak, to recommend that the City Council adopt the 2021 fee schedule. All in favor. DIRECTOR/SUPERINTENDENT UPDATE Project Update Mr. Benson reviewed the planned and proposed utility construction projects for 2021: Greeley Street Lift Station, Brick Street Generator Replacement, Marketplace Lift Station, Mid Oaks Lift Station, pump upgrades, SCADA Systems upgrades, hydrant painting, Risk and Resilience Assessment and Emergency Response Plan. He also reviewed the current and proposed developments: White Pine Ridge, Zvago, Central Commons, redevelopment of the block bounded by Second, Myrtle, Union Alley and Chestnut Street, and Marylane Gateway. 2022 Met Council Rate Increase Mr. Benson provided a memo informing the Commission that the Metropolitan Council's estimated wastewater service fee for 2022 is $2,059,619, a change of 1.24% from 2021. White Bear Lake Litigation Update - letter Page 2 of 3 Utilities Commission Meeting July 8, 2021 Mr. Benson referred to a letter from Attorney David Sienko updating the Commission on the White Bear Lake Litigation. On July 21, 2021, the District Court will hold a status conference for the parties to the Underlying Case. A scheduling conference may be held at the end of July 2021. City legal staff will attend the conference and update the Commission. Monthly Updates - gallons pumped Mr. Benson provided the report on gallons pumped. Smart Controller Rebate Program 2022 Mr. Benson stated the Commission was considering participating in a rebate program with SafeWater but their estimated cost this year would have been $150,000. Staff is considering setting up a program that is not so intense. $5,000 has been budgeted for the smart controller rebate program. Commissioner Jensen asked if it is possible to get the data from the smart controllers now in use, to get another year of data. Mr. Benson said he will talk with SafeWater about that. Retirement of Jim Tibbetts - 21 years Mr. Benson noted Mr. Tibbetts retired at the end of June. COMMISSIONER ITEMS Boards & Commissions Picnic Chairman Speedling reminded the Commission of the picnic August 11. Training on Open Meeting law Commissioner Jensen commented that last night's training session left her discouraged about the City Attorney's recommendation to Commissioners that any personal notes should be destroyed. Commissioner Hudak remarked he has heard that from other attorneys too. He understands the issue that some people's notes may be derogatory, insensitive or racial although his notes are not. As an engineer and professional geologist, he has been trained to take detailed notes. Commissioner Jensen said she functions best when she can take notes during a meeting. Tour Commissioner Jensen said she and Commissioner Hutter will be able to arrange a tour of the wastewater plant. Next meeting August 12 The next meeting will be August 12 if there is a quorum. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Chairman Speedling, seconded by Commissions Whitcomb, to adjourn. All in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 9:34 a.m. ATTEST: Robert Benson, Utilities Superintendent Steve Speedling, Ch Page 3 of 3