05-04-98 SCCCITY OF OTSEGO SPECIAL COUNCIL NIEETLNG
MINUTES
MAY 4, 1998 - 6:30PNI
1. Mayor Fournier will call meeting to order:
Mayor Fournier called the Special Council Meeting to order at 6:30PM.
Introductions were given and the audience introduced themselves as well.
ROLL CALL:
Mayor Fournier and Council Members Suzanne Ackerman, Mark Berning, Virginia
Wendel and Vern Heidner were present.
Also present were Ted Field and Don Burgardt, Engineers from Bonestroo, Andy Mac
Arthur, City Attorney, Larry Koshak, City Engineer, Mike Robertson, City Administrator
and Elaine Beatty, City Clerk/Zoning Administrator.
2. Discussion of 62ND Street and decision on City Road issue with Andrew
;MacArthur, City Attorney,
Mayor Fournier explained the 62nd Street issue and made the following motion:
MAYOR FOUR:NIER MOTIONED TO ACCEPT 621ND STREET AS A ONE-
HALF (1/2) STREET CONTINGENT ON THE FOLLOWING:
1. RESIDENTS PAY THE EXPENSES INCURRED
2. THE FINAL QtiIT CLAIM DEED BEING SIGNED
VIRGINIA WENDEL SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
DISCUSSION:
CM Heidner questioned if we had already made a motion to that effect? Mayor Fournier
stated that the reason for his motion is to allow the City Attorney to handle this. More
discussion occurred.
Attorney MacArthur stated that the road will not be accepted unless or until the last quit
claim deed is signed. He also explained that he has the deed via fax from Mr. Emmerich
for the ninety (90') foot turn around at the end of the road.
Discussion was had about putting this in a reasonable time frame.
CM Wendel asked about the bill to residents. Mayor Fournier had an up-to-date billing
from Gary Groen of $1,302.50, which amounts to $234.00 per property owmer and it was
stated that more bills will be coming in, plus the cost of recording. She also asked what
happens when the developer wants to develop this? Engineer Koshak noted that we
would make sure there was adequate right-of-way. More discussion on the right-of-way.
CM Berning asked about development of the road.
CITY OF OTSEGO SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY =1, 1998 AT 6:3PNI
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CM Wendel questioned if this was not adopted would we have to change our maps to
take this road off `? Engineer Koshak said technically yes, unless it was desirable to have
the road on the maps for emergencies.
3. Council review the Plans and Saecifications for the Wastewater Treatment
Facility with Ted Field, Bonestroo Engineer. If Council agrees, Motions on the
follow*ng•
A. Council Motion to approve plans and specifications
B. Council Motion to authorize submittal of plans and specifications to
NIPCA
C. Council Motion to authorize advertisement of construction bids
Mayor Fournier noted that he has contacted our State Representative and he will write a
letter and make a phone call Re: Wastewater Treatment Plant Permits for Otsego.
Meeting was turned over to Ted Field who updated the Council on the EAW Permit
issue. The EAW has run into a snag and is the reason for the letter to MPCA. The EAW
was submitted last October. We learned when Mike Robertson and Ted Field met with
MPCA recently that they intended to review Greenfield's EAW application first and hold
off on ours. The N1PCA noted both a possible road block by DNR and a possible
phosphorus cap. The two agencies (DNRiWCA) are not on the same page regarding
sewage treatment plants. The City of Hinkley had a similar problem and MPCA backed
down to the DNR.. (They have not yet required a phosphorus limit for Hinkley). Ted
Field estimated S100,000. to $125,000. in extra construction costs would be added for
phosphorus limit. Ted indicated that at this point, early to mid July would be the earliest
we can bid the sewer plant and we could extend the award of construction for up to sixty
days.
CM Heidner asked about the phosphorus procedure. Mr. Field stated it is a chemical
treatment and it results in more solids (sludge) being precipitated out of the wastewater.
Engineer Koshak had two questions for Mr. Field.
I . If you add this chemical and create more sludge, is the result a better
quality for field application'? Mr. Field did not think it would increase sludge
quality and he said he consider it a neutral affect.
2. Greenfield phosphorus - we will know if it is an issue when May 15th
comment period ends. Mr. Field said if Greenfield does not have phosphorus
limits, we probably will not.
Mr. Field wants to wait and see if phosphorus is an issue with Greenfield before we bid.
CITY OF OTSEGO SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 4, 1998 AT 6:30PNI
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He said an extra 15 x 15 building would hold the phosphorus treatment chemicals, it
could be in current building, but he felt it was better to have a separate building, because
of liquid chemicals.
CM Wendel discussed sludge and us needing permitted sludge application sites. Mr.
Field stated it would be 2001 before we would need to dispose of sludge. Mike
Robertson noted he had suggested a separate EAW process to the MPCA for sludge
application sites.
CM Berning questioned how much additional sludge would we get with phosphorus
limit? Ted estimated an additional 10% .
Engineer Koshak asked about adding lime to sludge. Mr. Field stated that with one years
storage, no lime treatment is needed. All sludge is hauled in the Fall when it has a better
chance to meet all the requirements.
CM Wendel questioned if we get OK to go to Crow River, what assurances do we have
of future discharge? Mr. Fields said once permitted you are entitled to expand. Once we
are permitted for Crow River, we should be OK for a long period of time.
Mr. Field brought the specs (blue books 2 -volumes) and passed them out. MPCA
probably will not take too much time to review plans and specs, because we are not
asking for a PFA loan from the State. He felt we can submit plans and specs now and if
we are required to have a phosphorus limit, we can resubmit.
CM Heidner questioned where the building would go to hold the chemicals if needed.
Mr. Field stated they needed access to the road to deliver liquid chemicals, so it had to be
adjacent to the road.
CM Wendel questioned if this facility would be large enough for the entire City. Mr.
Fields stated close to one million gallons per day can be handled on this site without
purchasing more land. It is limitless if more land is purchased. Some pipes are now
already sized for tripling of flow.
Mr. Koshak questioned the "barn style" building. Mayor Fournier asked what other
choices do we have? Mr. Field stated they strongly recommend pitched roofs.
Discussion of barn look of building, CM Wendel, Mayor Fournier and CM Heidner felt
the barn look was fine and CM Berning and Ackerman thought it should look like a
house. Discussion of changes that could be made to accomplish this. There would have
to be changes to sheets A2 and 3 and eliminate the barn features. CM Wendel did not
want a red building.
CITY OF OTSEGO SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING OFF MAY 4, 1998 - 6:30PLNI
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Engineer Koshak asked Mr. Field what he would add if he could spend more? Ted said
grit removal (for sand, gravel and grit). We are eliminating it to save money. Grit will
accumulate in the oxidation ditches. They will be shut down and periodically cleaned.
Mr. Koshak asked how will the oxidation ditches be drained? Mr. Field answered a pipe
over the side. Mr. Koshak felt it was wise to keep the drains in. Mr. Field answered
they have a pump that handles the drainline because the pumping station would have to
be deepened if they kept the drains in the ditches. Mr. Koshak felt it was a maintenance
thing, weigh the maintenance against the cost of drains. Mr. Field stated the new
collection system brings less grit. This would be for 10 years or less. If it is a twenty
year plant, we would look at it.
Mr. Koshak asked if Mr. Field had considered a grinder? Mr. Field had not, but felt it
was an option for the future instead of a mechanical screen. Mr. Koshak felt it would be
difficult to add this. Mr. Field explained the process of building expansion. Mr.
Robertson stated that he felt manual screen worked fine in his experience and talked
about everyday maintenance of plant. Cost saving measures were discussed and having
two tanks rather than one. Mr. Field stated MPCA requires the two tanks. Discussion
of steel tanks Vs concrete. Mr. Field felt concrete was the better way to go.
Discussion of next expansion and what needs to be done. Mr. Koshak still questioned
the drainage of the tanks. More discussion of proprietary items and does this add to cost.
Discussion of how many people regularly bid these plants. Ted said between 3 and 8.
After the plans are signed by the engineer, MPCA changes will be made without an
addendum. Addendum's added to the bid if necessary. Building changes are estimated to
be a minor cost. This plan assumes that no phosphorus is taken out. If we need to take
out phosphorus, plans would change. It is premature to go out for bids now. Sheets will
be added if phosphorus needs to be taken out.
CM HEIDNER MOTIONED OTSEGO APPROVE THE PLANS AND
SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY
DESIGNED BY BONESTROO, WITH AMENDMENTS. CM ACKERMAN
SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
CM HEIDNER MOTIONED AND CM ACKERNIAN SECONDED TO
AUTHORIZE THE ENGINEERS TO SUBMIT THE PLANS AND
SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY TO
THE MPCA. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
CITY OF OTSEGO SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETLNG OF NIAY 4, 1998 AT 6:30PNI
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CM Wendel asked if there was any way MPCA could say NO you cannot discharge into
the Crow River`' Mr. Field felt we have the permit, but a phosphorus limit is the issue.
CM Wendel asked if Mississippi discharge is stricter standards than the Crow River'?
Ted said they are similar. Mayor Fournier stated we have a preliminary permit approval.
Mr. Robertson said MPCA told him they want us to go to the Crow River when he asked.
On Item C. Mr. Field said we do not need a motion now, as the MPCA response to
Greenfield will make a difference to us.
4. Any Other Council Business
CM Wendel questioned if a letter should be written to clarify the newspaper article that
was incorrect? It was noted that regarding future articles that are incorrect, should be
corrected. Mr. Robertson stated he had called the Editor and in the future if he has
questions he will check with Mike.
It was noted that regarding the Dayton Contract, Mr. MacArthur had sent a draft but had
not received a call from Dayton's Attorney Hoff.
CM BERNLNG MOTIONED TO ADJOURN. CM HEIDNER SECONDED THE
MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. N-IEETLNG ADJOURNED AT
8:26PM.
CITY OF OTSEGO:
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ATTEST: ELALNE BEATTY,
CITY CLERK/ZONING ADM.
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