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MAY UTILITY MEETING MINUTES
MAY 20, 2009
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by chair Cindy Endicott. Present for the meeting were Cindy Endicott and Robert Parker, members of the utility commission; supervisors Jeff Bachke, Greg Andrews and John Werner; MSA representatives Jerome Flogel and Eric Sautbine; clerk Patti Alander, deputy clerk Cammy Hansen; and residents Jack MacNally and Sylvia Korby (with unidentified guest.)
BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR: Jack MacNally, 4740 1st Ave. S.: Jack is having issues with the sewer line beneath his driveway freezing in the winter months. He has contacted Hanco Utilities to install a new line. He is here requesting that the utility committee waive the hook up costs for the new line as he has already paid those fees; this work is simply a repair to restore functionality. The only fee that should be paid is the inspection fee charged by the engineer. No permit is required.
Sylvia Korby, 4210 W. Calvary Road: Sylvia comes to the committee with concerns regarding the installation of her new water and sewer lines. Her contractor (Watters & Sons) has expressed frustration with the requirements the town has on the work to be completed. Her contractor has told her that the requirements on this project are more stringent than in Hermantown and Duluth. Also, she is wondering why she is not able to use a gravity feed line to the lift station. Jerome responds that the standard set for this job is so that all the work is done the same on each connection and to ensure the best quality connection possible to avoid leaks in the system that would result in fines imposed by WLSSD. The standards are above and beyond what has been done in the past. The butt fusion method is the preferred method and is required whenever possible as it provides a higher quality weld. The contractors had all of this information for nearly a year and should have known that butt fusion was required prior to bidding the job. Sylvia also questioned if the gauges the contractor is using are accurate. Jerome responded that the number that the gauge reads is not as important as if the needle on the gauge moves when the test is done; a moving needle indicates a leak in the pipe. Jerome will not pass any pipes with leaks. He also explained how the inspection process works. He also let her know that he has been very flexible to this point with the inspection billing that had been charged. Jerome reiterated that Shelton Excavating was able to complete their job in one day; they read and understood the specs prior to beginning. Shelton has even offered to help the other contractors by doing the required butt fusion. Jerome assured her that the town and MSA are looking out for the best interests of the town as well as the homeowner. Sylvia asked that something be done so that a one day job won’t take three days. Jerome again stated that he cannot and will not approve any line that does not pass the pressure test. It is the contractor’s responsibility to make sure the line does not leak. Regarding the grinder station: No one person can hook up directly to a lift station. Only a handful of homes are able to hook up to a gravity line. Due to its location, Sylvia’s home is not able to be hooked up via a gravity line. Jerome and John also explained the reason for the upgrade on lift station #3 to respond to Sylvia’s question on what was being done there. Ms. Korby’s guest asked about the people on the road who don’t understand what is happening. The town has mailed out information to all affected residents and asked Ms. Korby and others to please let the town know if there are specific residents who we should contact to help understand the process.
CORRESPONDENCE:
1. Email received by the Minnesota Department of Health notifying the Town that the two projects they submitted have been placed on the Project Priority List (see attached copy of the email.)
2. Email received from the Corps of Engineer’s 569 program that we were not awarded funds for 2009 and to reapply for 2010 grant monies
3. WLSSD has us on their June 9th committee meeting agenda regarding the takeover of Lift Station #9. If all goes well we should be on the WLSSD board agenda for the July meeting.
SEWER/WATER EXPANSION PROJECT 1A:
1. Qwest has been paid
SEWER/WATER EXPANSION PROJECT 1B:
1. Received a complaint about a culvert at 4251 W. Calvary Rd. (Schaefbauer.) As a favor, and by request of the homeowners, Wagner had replaced a culvert on a previously unused driveway during construction of the system. The owners are now asking that the culvert be repaired as it is causing water backups. John asked that since the town did not request the culvert to be replaced, why would we have the responsibility to make repairs? Wagner decided to replace the culvert in order to avoid an argument with the homeowners. Patti will check the construction meeting minutes and also look for the “before” pictures of the culvert prior to making a decision on this.
2. Final set of O&M’s and record drawings are in the process of being completed.
3. Cindy asked how many homes are now hooked up to the system. Patti answered that besides the three that hooked up last fall, there are approximately nine that are currently being installed.
4. Jeff stated that the 90 day letter will be sent out within the next couple weeks to the residents on the system.
5. The question was raised as to how we would respond to homeowners who choose not to comply with the 90 day rule. If that happens, we will have to give them notice that they have not complied and that the town has the option of making the hookup and then charging the owner for the cost. This cost would be assessed to the property as a one year assessment.
LIFT STATION #3:
1. The change order has been forwarded to USA. We have not yet heard back from them.
KOLSTAD, AUSTIN, CHICAGO, MILWAUKEE WATER REPLACEMENT:
1. Nothing to report
LIFT STATION #1:
1. Final plans for rehabilitation were presented, bid opening scheduled for June 11.
2. It was decided that the culvert and driveway leading to LS#1 should be widened by about four feet.
3. Smoke testing was completed on 5/20/09. No significant breaks or leaks were discovered. Three minor needed repairs were indentified, one completed.
LIFT STATION #4:
1. An additional pump needs to be installed as the temporary pump that we borrowed has been returned to Shelton Excavating.
LIFT STATION #6:
Tabled
REVIEW OF LONG RANGE SEWER PLAN:
1. Infratech cleaned all lift stations two weeks ago. We need to schedule maintenance on them at least annually or semi-annually.
STIMULUS PACKAGE:
1. Robert Parker asked which projects are parts of this package and what is the status of Rice Lake Road North? The two projects are the Martin Road water loop and the Rice Lake Road North, although Jerome stated that it is nearly certain we will not be receiving any of this funding at this time. Robert expressed his view that he does not agree with the stimulus package and would not be in favor of receiving stimulus funds.
2. Cindy asked if the Kolstad project may still be a viable project if we were to receive the 20% grant. Patti stated that only if the 569 grant comes through.
3. Robert also asked about the 35% number regarding the board acting on a petition and asked where that is written; Patti said it is part of MN statute 429.
ST. LOUIS COUNTY ROAD PROJECT:
1. John provided an update on the County’s plans for the upcoming construction season:
A. West Calvary Road cross culverts are nearly done. In October the road will be ground and over-layed, contingent on the amount of stimulus funds that are available.
CHARLES ROAD UPDATE:
1. No new information has been received by the town.
2. Jerome had some correspondence with a resident on the road regarding engineering. He sent the resident the road spec.
WILLARD ROAD:
1. Patti has had a conversation with a Willard Road resident who may be interested in again beginning the petition process for water/sewer services. So far we have not received anything.
2. Cindy asked if there may be some low income assistance for the residents on this road. We are not aware of any at this point but will do additional research if presented with a petition.
TOM NESGODA:
1. It was discovered by AEOA that Mr. Nesgoda has two residences hooked up to his eone grinder station. This is not allowed per our ordinance. Patti will pursue legal avenues to remedy this situation.
NEXT MEETING DATE IS JUNE 17, 2009 AT 6:00 P.M.
With nothing further to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m.
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