10-17-06 WSITEM 3_2
CITY OF OTSEGO
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP
October 17, 2006
Roll Call: Otsego City Council: Mayor Larry Fournier,
Councilmembers Dan Scharber, Mark Thorsted, Jessica Stockamp,
and Vern Heidner.
City Staff: City Administrator Michael Robertson, City Clerk
Judy Hudson City Attorney Andy MacArthur, Building Official
Tim Rochel, City Engineer Ron Wagner, Assistant City Engineer
Jeff Elliot, and City Planner Dan Licht.
Mayor Fournier called the workshop to order at 12:05 p.m.
Review of Grenin's Mississippi Hills Septic Issues - City
Attorney MacArthur reviewed the legal issues. He noted that
these properties had individual septic systems which were the
responsibility of the property owners. He noted that the
septic systems were not standard mound systems, but fit the
definition of "other" septic systems as provided in State
law. He indicated that the City had received a copy of a
report prepared by Eco -Systems for the original developer
Manley Brothers, which stated that the soils could handle
these septic systems.
Assistant City Engineer Jeff Elliot described his review of
the systems and the paperwork provided. He stated that the
design of the systems had been done by John Oliver and
Associates. He stated that in his experience when a septic
system fails it is.either due to bad design, bad
installation, or to bad soils. In his opinion the primary
culprit in this situation is bad soils. The soils are just
so tight that they are easily saturated and once saturated
there is no where for the treated water to go. He indicated
that all tests so far have shown that it is clean water
coming out of the bottom of the mound system.
He noted that according to the system design, the homes are
presently producing only one third of the water that the
system design is supposed to handle. He said if they were
producing the full amount of water there would potentially be
a much larger amount of water in their back yards.
Staff and Council discussed these issues.
Council directed the City Administrator to place under the
City Engineer's items at the next Council meeting the
ordering of a Feasibility Study to bring City sewer to the
properties.
City Attorney MacArthur reviewed the legal issues involved in
assessing the properties for their share of the City sewer.
Council and staff discussed deferred assessments and related
issues.
Administrator Robertson said that staff would contact all
parties determined to be involved in the issue and attempt to
work with them to craft a solution to this issue.
Council discussed the request by the Sculthorps for
compensation of their costs in dealing with their septic
problems. Staff recommended no action be taken until an
after Improvement Hearing was held.
With no other business, Mayor Fournier adjourned the meeting
at 1:10 p.m.
Michael Robertson
City Administrator