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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-05-11 UC Packet AGENDA UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING MAY 11, 2023 8:00 AM I. ROLL CALL II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. February 9, 2022 Utilities Commission Meeting Minutes III. OPEN FORUM – the open forum allows the public to address the commission on subjects which are not a part of the meeting. Commission may take action, reply, or give direction to staff. Please limit your comments to 5 minutes or less. IV. NEW BUSINESS 2. Appoint Chair & Vice Chair V. DIRECTOR/SUPERINTENDENT UPDATE 3. Sanitary Manhole Rehabilitation Project Update 4. Water Main Inventory Replacement Program 5. Water Tower Painting Project 6. PFO’s Update 7. Lead Service Line Requirements 8. Water Efficiency Rebate 9. Hydrant Painting 10. Midoaks Lift Station 11. Monthly Pumping VI. COMMISSIONER ITEMS VII. ADJOURN 12. Next meeting date is June 12, 2023 UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING February 9, 2023 8:00 A.M. Utilities Superintendent Benson called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. Present: Chairman Speedling, Commissioners Hutter, Jensen and Whitcomb, Councilmember Polehna Absent: Commissioner Hudak Staff: Utilities Superintendent Benson, Public Works Director Sanders APPROVAL OF MINUTES Possible approval of minutes of December 8, 2022 meeting Motion by Chairman Speedling, seconded by Commissioner Whitcomb, to approve the minutes of the December 8, 2022 meeting. All in favor. OPEN FORUM There were no public comments. NEW BUSINESS Discussion on Annual Water Rate Increase Public Works Director Sanders stated that after the last rate study, a residential rate increase of 5% was recommended but there was no recommendation of an annual increase for commercial properties. Staff was directed to contact CliftonLarsonAllen, and discuss the merits of an annual increase for commercial property. There was no opposition. All other utility funds (sanitary, storm and lighting) have been approved for an annual increase of 3%. To be consistent, staff recommends a 3% water rate increase for both residential and commercial properties. The Finance Director suggests that the rate increase begin with the first quarter water usage of each year for the April billing beginning 2023. Commissioner Jensen asked if the rate increase will provide enough revenue for projects such as the painting of the tower, and Mr. Sanders replied there is almost $2 million in reserves and the Finance Director stated there is enough money to do the 2023 budget items. Motion by Chairman Speedling, seconded by Commissioner Jensen, to approve an annual water rate increase of 3% for residential and commercial users. All in favor. Continue discussion on Water and Sanitary Sewer Connections Mr. Sanders stated that at the November meeting, the Commission discussed when a sewer and water connection is considered “available.” Often, both sewer and water main are adjacent to a property and considered available. However there are several areas in the City where only one utility is available, mainly water mains in the western part of the City where water was extended to serve a development and passes by existing homes that weren’t part of the development. Current code requires connection to water when it is available at the time sale of the home as follows: “Water Department Sec 28-3. subd 16. Immediate Connection Required. Any building which has available to it City water services must be connected to the City water system if and when they connect to the City sewer system or upon sale or transfer of title to the property.” The City Attorney recommends a wording change to: “If Utilities Commission Meeting February 9, 2023 Page 2 of 2 both sewer and water are available to the property, then upon sale or transfer of title, the owner must connect to the water system. Any new building that has City water service available to the property must connect to the City water system upon construction.” Commissioner Whitcomb asked if the language should also state that connection to sewer is required if available, and Mr. Sanders answered that staff can add that language for clarity. Motion by Commissioner Whitcomb, seconded by Commissioner Speedling, to approve the proposed language change as presented, adding “and sanitary sewer system.” All in favor. UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was no unfinished business. DIRECTOR/SUPERINTENDENT UPDATE Monthly Gallons Pumped Mr. Sanders gave the number of gallons pumped per month, on par with 2021, and Mr. Benson added that the January 2023 numbers are down a bit. Water Efficiency Rebate Update Mr. Sanders reported on the grant received from the Metropolitan Council, which provides property owners, who replace certain household items and install new water efficient and/or energy efficient items, an opportunity for a rebate for the purchase. In 2022 there were 34 applications and rebates of about $5,700. So far in 2023, nine applications have been received. Staff will continue sending the message out in the City newsletter and on the web site. PFAS Mr. Benson presented the report of the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) sampling for Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in each well. Levels were high (over 1) in Well 6 on Fourth Street. The prior sample was .3 so the MDH will continue quarterly sampling before making a recommendation on what the City needs to do. If indicated, the City would have to send out a letter noting that the samples exceed the health guidance. Mr. Sanders added there are really no standards, they are just guidelines at present. The MDH is considering establishing lower standards so it will monitor samples over the next three quarters. As time goes on the MDH will meet with the City to discuss what actions may need to be taken. COMMISSIONER ITEMS Chairman Speedling remarked he sent out a link to a KARE 11 segment on Minnesota drinking water not being an infinite resource especially in northern Minnesota. Councilmember Polehna and Mr. Sanders commented on manganese problems in water in the City of Mound, which has estimated $38 million to install a treatment system. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Whitcomb, seconded by Chairman Speedling, to adjourn. All in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 a.m. The Commission decided to cancel the March meeting. Steve Speedling, Chair ATTEST: Shawn Sanders, Public Works Director MEMORANDUM To: Utility Commission Members From: Robert Benson, Utilities Superintendent Date: May 11, 2023 Subject: Update of Utility Projects in the City Background The following is a list of utility construction projects in the City of Stillwater. Projects on the list will be updated to the commission and new projects added as they are made aware to the City. City Utility Projects (2023)  Mid Oaks Lift Station - Scope includes replacing the Lift Station at Mid Oaks. The existing lift station is a wet well/dry well and would be replaced with a submersible pump. Project bid on July 19th. Low bid submitted by Minger Construction at $388,000. Engineer’s estimate was $400,000. Work to begin in Spring 2023.  Aiple Lift Station Generator Replacement. Project replaces 60-year-old generator. New generator installed. Installation completed in December 2022  Downtown Manhole Rehabilitation Project. Project looks to eliminate I/I in sanitary manholes from Elm Street to Aiple Lift Station (30 Total). Project rebid in January 2023, Visu-Sewer was lowest bidder. Contract awarded work to be completed in 2023.  Lily Lake Sewer Lining Project. Project looks at eliminating flow from Lily Lake from entering sanitary sewer. Pipe is located on north side of Lily Lake, in the backyards of four properties. Staff is working on correcting easements prior to commencement of work.  Portable Generator. New portable generator for the pump house at Olive Street. Generator has been delivered and is being stored at the shop. Garage planned for Olive Street in 2024.  Rutherford Lift Station Pump Replacement. Bids received, awaiting installation. Project put on hold during flood.  Transfer Switch/ Generator Hook-up for Olive Street. Add a transfer switch at the pump house to allow for connection for a portable generator. Transfer Switch/ Generator Hook-up in stalled waiting to test under load.  Hydrant Painting. Third year of four-year project to paint all hydrants in the City. 2023 project to focus on the north and west parts of the City. (365 total hydrants). Project awarded.  Fluoride Pumps. New fluoride pumps for Wellhouse. Pumps have been received, installed and calibrated. Work Completed over the winter.  Telemetry Upgrades. Staff is looking to add security measures to entry doors using through the SCADA system. Staff is working with vendors on quotes.  Well house repairs. Building improvements for Wellhouse 6, 8, and 12. Work has been awarded. Roof & window replaced at Wellhouse 8 (Sunrise). Wellhouse 6 and 12 awaiting start date.  Lily Lake Tower Pressure Reducing Valve. TKDA selected to complete plans and specifications. Project awarded Work to be completed in 2023.  Sanitary Sewer Lining main street stairs. Lining Project awarded work to be completed in 2023.  Water Main Inventory Replacement Program. Working with TKDA on setting up a plan.  Water Tower Painting. Working with TKDA on a plan for running Distribution System on pressure while tower is out of service. Plan on painting tower in 2024.  PFO’S Update. Information was sent to WCCO after they contacted the Minnesota Department of health (MDH).  Lead Service Line Inventory. All Public Water Systems must complete and submit to the State by October 2024, will be talking with TKDA. New Projects for 2024. 1. Tower Drive Water Tower Painting 2. Mary Knoll Lift Station Replacement. 3. Hydrant Painting (Year 4 of 4) Million Gallons Pumped 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Monthly Totals Monthly Totals Monthly Totals Monthly Totals Monthly Totals Monthly Totals Monthly Totals Monthly Totals January 45271 47827 54174 47578 43126 44488 43203 40179 February 42187 42360 50969 42335 41409 39016 39417 37754 March 44082 43799 55676 47276 43148 41908 41176 39817 April 48484 45235 52580 45808 44003 41587 41248 40316 May 65753 56415 77250 57949 61400 66124 55346 June 82031 84085 77502 78308 74342 112800 91793 July 99063 93342 89533 78536 81984 110149 111197 August 78478 75439 99896 78626 87645 93628 89626 September 56973 74893 67085 61054 71455 64168 87366 October 46825 49115 48481 50054 52576 49781 59028 November 40135 41620 43112 43786 41754 40311 37840 December 49230 52404 46710 44426 42857 41322 40569 Total 698512 706534 762968 675736 685699 745282 737809 158066 Jan- Apr 180024 179221 213399 182997 171686 166999 165044 DNR Permited Amount 865,000,000 MGY   216 4th Street North, Stillwater Minnesota – 651‐430‐8800 – www.stillwatermn.gov    ATTENTION    All City of Stillwater Boards and Commission  members are invited to attend a training on    Monday, June 12, 2023  6 PM   at City Hall  Council Chambers    Presenter:  Kori Land, City Attorney    **Attendance required if you have not had training in the past two years**  All others feel free to attend for a refresher on the rules.    DETAILS:      Time:  6 PM – 7 PM  7 PM – 9 PM  Attendees:  All Boards & Commissions  Heritage Preservation Commission  & Planning Commission  Topics:     Conduct of Meetings  Municipal Planning/Zoning    Conflicts of Interest  Public Hearings         Data Practices Act/Social Media        RSVP to Nancy Manos at nmanos@ci.stillwater.mn.us or 651‐430‐8803.