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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-01-26 CC MIN ("-, SPECIAL MEETING STILLWATER CITY COUNCIL MINUTES January 26, 1993 7:00 P.M. The Meeting was called to order by Mayor Hooley. Present: Councilmembers Bodlovick, Cummings (arrived at 8:45 P.M.), Funke, Kimble and Mayor Hooley. None Absent: Also Present: City Coordinator Kriesel Consulting Engineer Moore Public Works Director Junker Dennis McKean, Water Board City Clerk Johnson Julie Kink, The Courier Mike Marsnik, Stillwater Gazette Press: Others: Duane Seaquist, Vern Stefan, Dennis and LaVonne Breu, Wayne Stevenson, Brian & Esther Longseth, Bill Funari, Stan Scheid, Jim Bradshaw, John Ramberg, Rod Hobson, Kermit Sommers, Gordy Handevi dt. n INFORMATIONAL HEARING - SOUTHEAST SANITARY SEWER PROJECT. Mayor Hooley opened the meeting by stating that thlS is an informational meeting on the possibility of installing sanitary sewer in the southeast section of the City. Dick Moore, Consulting Engineer for the City, presented a summarization of the original study done in 1969-70 and stated that since that time the report has been updated in 1988 and 1992, although they have not identified the increase in homes in the area. He stated a need for input from the residents east of Hudson St. as to whether they are interested in City sewer. He further stated there is a lot of bedrock which adds to the cost of the project. Also included in the discussion was the possible need for a water system because of galvanized services with lead connections. Dennis McKean, of the Water Board, added comments on the water system. Further discussion followed regarding obtaining Federal funds and Mr. Moore stated the City did try to receive a Community Development Block Grant, but the qualifications excluded this area because income levels were too high. A man asked, considering EPA rules, who will take out holding tanks and drainfields? Mr. Moore explained that the City will run the service up to the property line and then the property owner "would be responsible. (' 1 r Stillwater City Council Minutes January 26, 1993 Special Meeting Public Works Director Junker added that they could be pumped and filled with sand. A lady asked if a property owner has to hook up to the system if it is available. Staff explained that any time the sewer is made available, the property owner has to hook up within one year. Also, there is a policy for deferred assessments. r A man asked for the timeframe for putting in this sewer. Mr. Kriesel stated that Council has discussed phasing the project. Further questions followed regarding the policy for assessing corner lots. Another gentleman felt that if the sewer goes in, the waterlines should also be replaced and asked for a price. He also was concerned regarding replacement of water lines where there are trees. Mr. Moore replied that if they both went into one trench it would probably cost $16.00/ft. He also stated it has been policy to replace galvanized lines in the public right-of-way and it is up to the property owner to replace it from there. A man asked about procedure for public input and Mayor Hooley replied they are taking input tonight and then will ask the Engineer to do a study based on it. City Coordinator Kriesel explained the process followed covering the repair of public works improvements. A man asked about the effect of the project on his taxes and if the majority of the people are against the project, would it still go through. Mr. Kriesel stated it depends on the need for the project and how the Council views it. Another man asked about costs to hook up to the sewer. Public Works Director Junker stated it could probably be done for $2,000 to $3,000. A lady asked if the present system is affecting public health -- her system works well now and she doesn't have money to put into a City sewer. Mr. Kriesel stated 40% of the phone calls received stated that they hope the City goes forward with the project. Technical studies have not been done to determine the amount of problems in the area. Mr. Moore added that it is difficult to determine how long an on-site system will last. Another lady stated she does have a problem and if it was tabled, how long would it be before you would consider it again. They may need to put in a new drainfield. Mr. Moore stated a feasibility report could be done in a couple of months. (' 2 Stillwater City Council Minutes ("- January 26, 1993 , . Special Meeting Jeanne Schwietz, 1023 So. Fifth Ave., asked if the Health Dept. has any say about septic tanks. Council asked how many of the residents present would like a Feasibility Study done and, by a show of hands, approximately 19 were in favor of the study and six were not in favor. A man, living on Second Ave., stated he does have Oak Park Heights sewer and water -- could he be assessed again. Mr. Moore stated that would not be part of this project and if it is, they would have to look at the connections. Mr. Junker stated there are five homes on the north side of Orleans St. that go into the Oak Park Heights system. Mr. Kriesel explained the policy when a resident hooks up with Oak Park Heights. Councilmember Kimble stated that a study should tell us who would be assessed and what needs to be done. r A man stated he went through this before and wanted to hook up to Oak Park Heights. He retained a lawyer who stated that if Stillwater could not furnish sewer, he could hook up to someone who could. A man asked what the cost would be for a resident to put in a drainfield now -- they haven't had trouble for 20 years. Another man stated they put one in two years ago at a cost of $4,000. His neighbor put one in for $2,400. A man asked what other utilities would be included in the Feasibility Study. Mr. Moore answered that, at present, he was directed to look at sanitary sewer. Direction to include other utilities would come from the Council. George Speers, 1229 Third Ave. So., stated that as long as the study is being done, all options should be included. He does not understand the water lines. Mr. McKean stated that this person is on a private water line which supports only domestic service. Mr. Speers asked if there are any homes that would require a lift station and Mr. Moore replied this would be addressed in a feasibility study. A lady asked again about the Health Dept. regulations regarding septic tanks and Mr. Moore stated the County does regulate an on-site system and if there are problems, the resident could be required to fix it. A lady asked if this project would have to be done 100% or could certain areas be done separately. Mr. Moore answered that some modifications could be made, but the project would have to start at the southern end. (' 3 c Stillwater City Council Minutes January 26, 1993 Special Meeting A man, living in the area of Hillcrest, Third and St. Louis, stated he is having problems and is faced with a new system. He asked to be included in the project. A lady stated concerns with buying and selling property and felt cheated that she did not know about the proposed project when she bought her house. She asked if she would have to disclose this information if she had to sell her house. Discussion followed and Councilmember Kimble stated he thought the law had changed in favor of disclosing such information to prospective buyers. This lady also stated her yard has never recovered from the repair of a septic system in regard to damage to the trees and landscape. She also questioned how long the assessments would be spread. Mr. Kriesel replied that the normal time is ten years, but it can go fifteen to twenty years. A man stated the same concerns regarding disclosure to prospective buyers and it was suggested that he contact his realtor. Mr. Kriesel added that the City does not say a project is pending until the Council orders the improvement. r Mr. Junker explained the process for replacing a septic system and the problems with this particular area. Gordon Handevit, 935 Fifth Ave. So., asked what happens if he decides to have two outlets -- would it cost him $10,000 for each one of the connections. Mr. Moore stated that would have to reviewed in the Feasibility Study. Duane Seaquist, 518 E. Dubuque St., stated he wrote a letter recently requesting a new sewer and explained the problems in the area. Discussion followed regarding the need for a complete study and Mr. Moore stated he would like to put together a work plan with costs for a Feasibility Study. Mr. Moore further explained their process for arriving at the costs of a project. A man asked that part of the feasibility Study include hook-up charges for homeowners and Mr. Moore stated it would be difficult to give an average cost on 96 homes because of each unique situation. A lady asked about excavating for the sewer and damage to foundations. Mr. Moore replied they will take videos to detect cracks and insurance should cover any damage. Mayor Hooley closed the hearing. r 4 r Stillwater City Council Minutes January 26, 1993 Special Meeting Motion by Councilmember Kimble, seconded by Councilmember Funke directing the Consulting Engineer to provide information on the cost for the various levels of the Feasibility Study for the Southeast area utilities; and to place this item on the February 2, 1993 Agenda for further discussion and decision. (All in favor). Council recessed for ten minutes and reconvened at 8:50 P.M. COUNCIL REPRESENTATION ON THE BRIDGE COMMITTEE Motion by Councilmember Funke, seconded by Councilmember Bodlovick to appoint Roberta Opheim as the volunteer representative and Councilmember Kimble as the Council Representative from the City on the Bridge Committee. (All in favor). Council Seatin~ Arrangement Discussion fol owed regarding the seating of Councilmembers according to their respective Ward. A secret vote was taken and Council will be seated starting with Ward 1 on the south end of the dais and ending with Ward 4 on the north end of the dais. Claim Relating to SnowPlowin~ Accidents Motion by Councilmember Kimb e, seconded by Councilmember Bodlovick authorizing the City Clerk to forward claims from snowplowing accidents for r Gramenz, Crooks and the City to the insurance agent. (All in favor). Discussion of Aerial Photographs of City A short discussion followed in which it was noted that a bid was received from Mark Hurd in the amount of $1,100 for this item. Parks & Recreation Meetings Councilmember Cummings gave a brief summary of the Parks & Recreation Commission meeting which he had just attended and stated they will be holding their future meetings at City Hall on the fourth Monday of the month. He also noted that the Commission would like to be involved in work on the Comprehensive Plan. Also, David G. Junker was elected President and Mike Polehna, Vice President of the Commission. Discussion of Wednesday, Feb. 27 Meeting with Bayport, Oak Park Heights on Perro Creek/Pond A short dlScussion followed with Councilmember Funke stating he would be attending the meeting. Consulting Engineer Moore stated the purpose is for communities contributing drainage to this creek to review the alternatives and costs for proceeding with management of the drainage. Efficiency Study r 5 C' Stillwater City Council Minutes January 26, 1993 Special Meeting Mayor Hooley initiated a short discussion of this study, stating that it will bring some ideas on how business could be done more efficiently with candidates being interviewed. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Councilmember Kimble, seconded by Councilmember Bodlovick to adjourn the meeting at 9:20 P.M. (All in favor). 47/~ ATTEST:~~VJ'~ r (' 6