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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-05-11 UC MIN(499ateir THE NIATNYLALE Of MINN EIOTA UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING May 11, 2023 8:00 A.M. Utilities Superintendent Benson called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. Present: Chairman Speedling, Commissioners Hudak, Hutter, Jensen and Whitcomb, Councilmember Polehna Absent: None Staff: Utilities Superintendent Benson APPROVAL OF MINUTES Possible approval of minutes of February 9.2023 meeting Motion by Chairman Speedling, seconded by Commissioner Whitcomb, to approve the minutes of the February 9, 2023 meeting. All in favor. OPEN FORUM There were no public comments. NEW BUSINESS Appoint Chair & Vice Chair Motion by Commissioner Whitcomb, seconded by Commissioner Hutter, to keep Speedling as Chair and Hudak as Vice Chair. All in favor. UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was no unfinished business. DIRECTOR/SUPERINTENDENT UPDATE Utilities Superintendent Benson gave an update on the following projects. Midoaks Lift Station The existing lift station is a wet well/dry well and will be replaced with a submersible pump. Yesterday they were able to hook up the bypass. Today they will start removing the equipment in the dry well. Aiple Lift Station Generator Replacement This was completed in December 2022. Downtown Manhole Rehabilitation Project Update The project should eliminate I/I in sanitary manholes from Elm Street to Aiple Lift Station (30 total). The contract was awarded and work should be completed in 2023. Lily Lake Sewer Lining Project This project will eliminate flow from Lily Lake from entering sanitary sewer. The 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. Utilities Commission Meeting May 11, 2023 Hydrant Painting This is the third year of a four-year project to paint all hydrants in the City. The 2023 project will focus on the north and west parts of the City (365 total hydrants). Fluoride Pumps New fluoride pumps for the wellhouse have been received, installed and calibrated. Telemetry Upgrades ades 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 The contract has been awarded for building improvements for Wellhouses 6, 8, and 12. Lily Lake Tower Pressure Reducing Valve TKDA was selected to complete plans and specifications. Work should be completed in 2023. Sanitary Sewer Lining - Main Street Stairs The project was awarded and work should be completed in 2023. Water Main Inventory Replacement Program Staff is working with TKDA to set up a plan. Commissioner Hudak noted that since his water lines were changed to copper, he has had to change the humidifier panels on his furnace much more frequently. He learned that the old galvanized pipes pulled the calcium carbonate out of the water but the new copper lines do not. Water Tower Painting Project Staff is looking at repainting the Tower Drive Water Tower in 2024. Its elevation controls the pumps, so they are working on a plan to control the system off of pressure instead, when the tower is out of service. It was last painted in 2002. PFO'S Update Information was sent to WCCO after they contacted the Minnesota Department of health (MDH) looking for results of PFO tests. The EPA changed the PFO measurement from parts per billion to parts per trillion. Once they lowered the threshold, more is being found. For now, those two wells (6 and 10) have been turned off and they are run only as needed. The City will work with the Department of Health and TKDA on how to handle the issue. It will be three years before it becomes law establishing allowable levels. Right now it is more "guidance." The Department of Health has also noted the fact that water from the two wells is being blended in with all the other wells. That will have to be taken into consideration. Commissioners want to ensure the City has a spokesperson ready to speak to media, if needed, to assure residents the City water is safe. Mr. Benson said City Administrator Kohlmann is aware of the issue. Lead Service Line Inventory Mr. Benson noted that all Public Water Systems must complete and submit this inventory to the State by October 2024. Staff will be talking with TKDA to accomplish this. The City is down to about 100 galvanized lines throughout the City. There are still a few lead gooseneck connections. Portable Generator Page 2 of 2 Utilities Commission Meeting May 12, 2023 A new portable generator for the pump house at Olive Street has been delivered and is being stored at the shop. It will eventually be set up at the Olive Street well house. Rutherford Lift Station Pump Replacement Bids were received and equipment is awaiting installation. The project was put on hold during the flood. New Projects Projects for 2024 are: Tower Drive Water Tower painting, Maryknoll Lift Station replacement, and hydrant painting. Gallons Pumped Mr. Benson gave a report on gallons pumped and Commissioner Hudak noted 2023 is the lowest year in about seven years so far. COMMISSIONER ITEMS Mr. Benson reminded the Commission of the June 12 Board and Commission Training. Commissioner Hudak commented he has talked with many of his hydrogeology friends about the White Bear Lake lawsuit and they have all shook their heads in disgust that Stillwater is even in the lawsuit. It seems more politically driven than science driven. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Chairman Speedling, seconded by Commissioner Hudak, to adjourn. All in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 8:46 a.m. The next meeting date is Jul Steve Speedling, Chair ATTE T: A*k4-- Shawn Sanders, Public Works Director Page 3 of 3