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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-01-11 UC MIN(499ateir THE NIATNYLALE Of MINN EIOTA UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING January 11, 2024 8:00 A.M. Utilities Superintendent Benson called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. Present: Chairman Speedling, Commissioners Hudak, Hutter, Whitcomb, Councilmember Polehna Absent: None Staff: Utilities Superintendent Benson, Public Works Director Sanders CLOSED SESSION Motion by Chairman Speedling, seconded by Commissioner Hudak, to go into Closed Session. All in favor. Present: Chairman Speedling, Commissioners Hudak, Hutter, Whitcomb, Councilmember Polehna Absent: None Staff: Utilities Superintendent Benson, Public Works Director Sanders Pursuant to Minn. Stat 13D.05 subd. 3(b), the Commission met in Closed Session to discuss attorney - client privileged communication related to the White Bear Lake litigation. Motion by Chairman Speedling, seconded by Commissioner Hudak, to reopen the meeting. All in favor. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Possible approval of minutes of August 10, 2023 meeting Motion by Commissioner Whitcomb, seconded by Chairman Speedling, to approve the minutes of the August 10, 2023 meeting. All in favor. OPEN FORUM There were no public comments. NEW BUSINESS Water Main Extension - 2024 Street Project Public Works Director Sanders explained that during the feasibility study for the 2024 Street Improvement Project, it was discovered that there is no water main on Abbott south of Willard Street and Willard west of Owens. The properties on these two segments are served by two separate private lines located in the street. Since the streets will be torn up for street reconstruction, it is an opportune time to install new water main and eliminate the private lines. This would require about 700 feet of new water main and reconnection of the existing services at an estimated cost of $70,000. Staff requests that the Water Revenue Fund pay for the water main looping as part of the 2024 Street Improvement Project. Motion by Chair Speedling, seconded by Commissioner Hutter, to spend the estimated $70,000 from the Water Revenue Fund for the watermain on Willard and Abbott. All in favor. PFAS Update Utilities Commission Meeting January 11, 2024 Mr. Sanders informed the Commission that the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) required the shutdown of Well #6 due to Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) above the health risk index of 1.1. The MDH issued a Health Risk Advisory and is requiring the City to send a notice to residents even though the well has been shut down since April 2023. Staff will work with the MDH to notice residents and develop options for getting the well operational again. Staff believes Well #10 may be the next well to be shut down, as PFAS appears to be slowly moving from Woodbury, Cottage Grove, Lake Elmo, to the north. Cottage Grove and Woodbury have constructed water treatment plants. Commissioner Hudak commented it would be helpful, as the City considers future options, to know if the MDH has the plume delineated. COMMISSIONER ITEMS Commissioner Whitcomb asked why the storm sewer system is not under the purview of the Utilities Commission. New developments are required to have a homeowner association to manage the stormwater, but if there is a problem, the City gets involved because it is better equipped to handle those types of projects versus homeowners who have no experience with them. Mr. Sanders replied that adding the storm sewer utility could be discussed in the future. Councilmember Polehna noted that lights are another utility to consider placing under the Utilities Commission. Commissioner Hudak asked for an update on security of the City's water system in terms of both terrorism and emergency needs/failure. Mr. Sanders replied that staff is working with a vendor to develop a security system for the well houses and funding is set aside this year. Councilmember Polehna asked for an update on property development. Mr. Sanders stated developments occurring in the southwest corner of the City over the next few years are: Central Commons south of Highway 36, east of Manning; and the Lakeview Hospital site on the northeast corner of Highway 36 and Manning. A contractor is working on plans to extend sewer and water from Curve Crest Blvd to the west on the Lakeview property, then crossing under Highway 36 to serve Central Commons. The goal is to have those utilities completed later this year. There will be a lift station on the north side of Highway 36. Commissioner Hudak asked if the current water capacity can handle the new development and Mr. Sanders answered yes. DIRECTOR/SUPERINTENDENT UPDATE Mr. Sanders stated the City is advertising for a new commissioner to fill Commissioner Jensen's seat. He reported there was a water service break at 4th and Oak Streets. The property owner was notified, Miller was hired to do the work and the City would be reimbursed. However another water service was discovered in the same trench which was the actual source of the leak. The work was done, the City notified the second property owner and they disputed the charge because they were not properly notified and could have fixed it on their own for less. The City may be responsible for the $8,000 cost. Mr. Sanders also stated the water efficiency rebate grant money is almost gone and he has asked the Met Council for another $10,000 to cover the next two quarters because the program is very popular. The Commission acknowledged with sadness the passing of Commissioner Karen Jensen. Monthly Gallons Pumped Mr. Sanders provided the gallons pumped in 2023: 756 million gallons. Page 2 of 3 Utilities Commission Meeting January 11, 2024 UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was no unfinished business. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Chairman Speedling, seconded by Commissioner Hudak, to adjourn. All in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 8:49 a.m. The next meeting date is Febru 24. pe ling, Chair ATTEST%. Shawn Sanders, Public Works Director Page 3 of 3