NOVEMBER UTILITY MEETING MINUTES

NOVEMBER 9, 2009

The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Chair of the Utility Committee Cindy Endicott.  Present for the meeting were:  Chair Endicott, supervisors Jeff Bachke and Greg Andrews; MSA representatives Jerome Flogel and Eric Sautbine; clerk Patti Alander, deputy clerk Cammy Hansen; and residents Jerry Robison, Leonard Hegg, Mr. and Mrs. Martin, David Granger, George Dulinski, David Churchill, Andi Schmaltz, Skip & Peg Buehring, Pat Hashey, Mary and Don Moss, Gene Kniep and Allen Kniep.  Absent were committee member Robert Parker and supervisor John Goman.

BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR:

 Andi Schmaltz, 4203 W. Calvary Rd.:  Andi spoke with a representative from WLSSD to ask what a trunk line is:  a necessary line to connect two points of access.  Andi asked the person if the W. Calvary line is a trunk line and he declined to answer as he was not the engineer on the project.  Andi’s opinion is that “that was a trunk line necessary to help out the failing system on E. Calvary Road.  We should not be assessed or have to pay for a trunk line at all.”  Cindy asked who she spoke to; Andi answered that his name is Brandon but does not want to be legally held to anything.  Andi asked Brandon what the $750.00 fee was for that is paid to WLSSD.  She was told that is for maintenance of the line.  She asked why she also must pay an $800.00 fee to Rice Lake for the sewer.  Greg responded that the $750.00 pays for WLSSD’s portion of the line and the $800.00 pays for Rice Lake’s portion of the line.  Jerome once again explained the situation:  Rice Lake can either connect to the WLSSD facility or build its own waste water treatment facility.  The town has opted to connect to WLSSD and pays a fee to them to do so.  Rice Lake assesses a fee to cover maintenance costs for its line.  Andi questioned where the maintenance fund for the E. Calvary Road was used.  Jerome clarified that the W. Calvary line is not a relief for E. Calvary Road.  Andi says that’s what she was told last month.  Jerome said he can review the notes from last month; however the W. Calvary line was increased in size (and paid for by the Town) in order to more efficiently handle wastewater that would be redirected from E. Calvary Road.  E. Calvary is not a failing system and that was not a driving factor in installing the W. Calvary line.  Andi made the point that if the residents along the W. Calvary Road had been allowed to vote on this matter, that it would have been voted down until there was guaranteed funding.  She made additional comments as to the situation of some of the neighbors on the road.  She also asked why everyone on the road was not told about the deferral program.  Cindy mentioned that two meetings, at a minimum were held that discussed deferrals and they were very well attended.  Andi asked for copies of the minutes from those meetings.  She then asked why Hermantown was allowed five years to hook up and W. Calvary was not.  Cindy stated that we are following our Ordinance.  Andi went on to further express her dissatisfaction with the project.

 Peggy Buehring, 4197 W. Calvary:  Asked why everyone has not yet connected to the system and why it stinks outside of her home.  She also stated that the restoration was not done properly.   Andi continued to express her dissatisfaction.  She also stated that she is speaking with Jim Oberstar’s office regarding receiving funding for a project that is complete.  Jerome responded that it is his understanding that the Town cannot receive funding for completed projects (deputy clerk’s note:  this was verified with Roland Hamborg, Project Manager, St. Paul District Corps of Engineers on November 10, 2009:  “ We cannot reimburse a community for construction work that has already been completed. “)  Andi summarized that what she is asking for is a five year deferment, asking that the five lots without occupied structures that were not assessed be assessed.  Cindy stated that the decision has been made regarding that issue and that the board will not do that.    Andi also asked to know what happened to the E. Calvary maintenance fund.  Greg stated that there is no “E. Calvary Maintenance Fund;” the maintenance fund is for Rice Lake.  Andi continued heated discussion.

Dave Granger, representing Helen Johnson Granger, 4647 Rice Lake Rd.:  Would like to know why there is a flat rate of $31.00 per month.  Mrs. Granger does not live in the home and he feels this is quite expensive.  He would like to see the town evaluate that rate.  He states that this project has become much more expensive than what was envisioned at the meetings that he attended.  Cindy stated that Cammy is compiling information regarding rates for the December 3^rd utility meeting. 

Skip Buehring, 4197 W. Calvary Rd.:  Asked Jerome when the scrubbers will be installed on the Lift Station near his home.  Jerome stated they are on the contractor’s punch list to be completed.  Jerome asked that Mr. Buehring let him know if the scrubbers do not work.  The first time Jerome has heard about it was a few days ago from a third party contractor.  Mrs. Buehring said that had she known how this was going to happen she would have never done it.

CORRESPONDENCE:    Patti stated that a utility bill adjustment has been requested by Colleen Akerstrom, 4861 1^st Ave. N. due to an error in her annual reading.  The adjustment should be a credit of $43.95.  Recommendation made by Cindy to make the adjustment.  Patti also stated that the annual repair on the water tower has been completed.

SEWER/WATER EXPANSION 1A PROJECT UPDATE:

1.       WLSSD ownership of Lift Station #9 is scheduled for December 1, 2009.  The Joint Powers Agreement will be presented and adopted at tomorrow night’s Board meeting.

2.       Flow overage a week or two ago:  MPCA temporarily addressed it.  They got behind during the wet weather.  It has been sandbagged and should be permanently addressed soon.

SEWER/WATER EXPANTION 1B PROJECT UPDATE:

1.       Jerome will contact Wagner tomorrow regarding the punch list.

2.       Fifty-nine connections are complete as of today

3.       Letters will be sent to homeowners who have not yet connected to the system.  Cammy will combine aspects of the attorney’s recommended letter along with some language offering assistance to begin the connection process.   Additional heated discussion occurred.  The letter will be prepared and presented for approval at tomorrow’s Board meeting.

KOLSTAD, AUSTIN, CHICAGO AND MILWAUKEE ROADS WATER REPLACEMENT:

1.       The 569 Grant application has been submitted.  Jerome does not expect to receive funding as there is only $1 million allocated for the entire state.  He recommends that we submit an IUP to the State so that we can get on the Project Priority List so that if we have to, in an emergency situation, make repairs, we will at least be able to apply for low interest loan money.

LIFT STATION #3:  Record drawings are complete, O&M’s still need to be finished.

LIFT STATION #1:  There are still outstanding items on the punch list.  WW Goetsch was here last week to make repairs to the cord that was damaged.  The flow meter still needs to be fixed by Quality Control; they are working with WLSSD to get that fixed.  We need to compile all of the costs related to the failure that occurred on the 16^th so that a pay app may be submitted to RJS.

LIFT STATION #4:  Larry is very busy; pump is back from shop.  Should be installed by end of November

LIFT STATION #6:  Nothing new

LIFT STATION #7:  Valve was repaired

SANITARY SEWER REPAIRS/PLANS:  Larry was to have fixed that last week; final restoration will be completed next spring.

I&I:  October flows were distributed.  One overage was noted and was the day of the failure.  Lift Station #3 overage noted and needs to be addressed with the homeowner on 5^th Ave. S.  Daily readings for one week need to be recorded.

 NEXT MEETING DATES:  December 3, 6:00 p.m. and December 16, 6:00 p.m.

With no further items to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p.m.