CITY OF WANAMINGO
City Council Regular Meeting
Monday, January 13, 2025 7:00 P.M.
Wanamingo City Council Chambers – 401 Main Street
Wanamingo, MN
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Holmes.
The oath of office was administered to Mayor Holmes, Council Member Jeremiah Flotterud, and Council Member Stuart Ohr by Administrator Boulton.
PRESENT: Council: Ryan Holmes, Stuart Ohr, Eric Dierks, Jeremiah Flotterud, and Rebecca Haugen
City Administrator: Michael Boulton
Deputy Clerk: Karen Masters
ABSENT: Council: None
ALSO PRESENT: Brad Kennedy, Brandon Theobald – WHKS, Beth Haas – Zumbrota News-Record, Daren Strobel – Kenyon Leader, and Goodhue County Deputy Abigail Scanlan.
ADOPT AGENDA: Ohr motioned to adopt the agenda, seconded by Dierks. Passed 5-0-0.
CONSENT AGENDA: Dierks motioned, seconded by Ohr. Passed 5-0-0.
PRESENTERS:
A) Brad Kennedy reported on:
1) Ice rink was up and running before warm stretch. Since weather turned cold built back up ice. There seems to be more use at the rink this season than past seasons.
2) Plowed snow and salt/sanded streets after snow events
3) Replaced all worn/exposed fiberglass hydrant markers
4) Holiday banners were taken down on Main Street. Will not be installing the newer City of Wanamingo banners due to the plastic material used to make them does not bend or stretch well in cold weather. Staff will wait for warmer weather to put the new logo banners back up.
5) Removed eight Emerald Ash Borer damaged trees at Riverside Park. City staff cut down and removed five trees while the City hired Heartland Tree Service to cut down three larger trees while the City staff removed the debris.
6) The well house project in nearing completion in the next couple of weeks. The contractor is working on the piping in well #3. Automatic System is scheduled to finish up the telemetry system on Thursday and Friday this week.
B) Brandon Theobald – WHKS, City Consulting Engineer reported on:
1) Sump Pum Inspection Program
A) There are 480 properties to be inspected in the program. 461 properties have been inspected. There are 11 other properties scheduled for inspection on January 15th.
B) 421 properties have passed inspection. Two properties required follow-ups. 38 properties failed inspection with 8 beaver systems, 14 flexible hoses, 9 sump pumps tied to sanitary sewer, and 7 pits without sump pumps.
C) A number of homeowners admitted to making changes before the inspections occurred.
2) Lead Service Line/Water Main Curb Stop/City GIS
A) MN Department of Health provided grants to cities for lead service line inventory in October 2024.
B) The results of the inventory have been posted to the City website and at City Hall
C) The City has 0 lead service lines, 9 potential galvanized service lines (requires eventual replacement), 224 unknown, and 347 non-lead service lines.
D) It is not worth going after grant funding. The City has no identified lead service lines and only has 9 potential galvanized service lines. The process is time consuming for contracted staff and the State requirements push up the overall cost for service line replacements.
E) The City staff tests for lead in the water supply system yearly. There are no exceeding rates of lead in the Wanamingo distribution system.
F) MN Department of Health has a lead service line inventory website: https://maps.umn.edu/LSL/
G) The program allowed the City to GPS all water curb stop location in town. The information will be available to City staff through GIS in the field.
3) Smoke Testing
A) City-wide smoke testing field work was conducted September 19th
B) Results of the testing included: 18 defects with 2 broken manhole collars, 9 open manhole pick holes, 6 broken sewer service cleanout covers, and 1 open valve from equalizer basin. This basin is in the sewer treatment plant area that was designed when the creamery processed milk. This is a significant amount of ground water entering the sewer treatment plant. The issue will go away when the plant is decommissioned and the new regional wastewater plant is operational.
Flotterud asked if the basin area could be a source of leaves that the maintenance staff sees at the wastewater treatment plant after a significant rain event. Theobald and Kennedy said maybe, but more than likely not. Dierks asked if Mead Johnson had been smoke tested. Theobald stated that the City could calculate the water usage based off the sewer flows since the flow meter is at the service line entrance to the wastewater treatment plant. Theobald stated that the City will be buying capacity at the new regional wastewater treatment plant. The flow capacity has to assume for growth. Eliminated inflow and infiltration into the sanitary sewer system helps to eliminate costs to all users within the City in the future. Flotterud asked what the next steps to eliminate inflow in infiltration are. Theobald stated that the City could do more searching in the sanitary service line laterals for drain tiles. This would involves placing a camera down the laterals from within the homes. Theobald stated that the City could check for higher flow areas after rain events by pulling off manholes and monitoring flows. The City would then be able to narrow the area(s) of town that may need to have laterals checked. The City could also line or replace the old clay sewer lines. The City has high peaks of inflow and infiltration. There should have been a discovery of a cross connection with a storm line. Kennedy stated that the rain event in December doubled the flows at the wastewater treatment plant. Flotterud asked if we can measure flows in certain parts of town to get baseline flows in the winter months. Then when rain events occur in the spring, could the flows be measured soon after. Theobald stated that flow measurements can be done, but are labor intensive. The results can be difficult to correlate. Theobald stated that this is why opening manholes to get an idea of flows in dry times compared to wet times is the most cost-effective way to check flows. Flotterud asked if cameras can be installed at certain manholes for a period of time to determine both low and high flows based off time-lapse. Theobald stated that he would look into this since cameras have come a long way in technology and reasonable cost.
NEW BUSINESS:
RESOLUTION:
25-001 = Approving 2025 Appointments & Legals: Dierks moved to approve, Seconded by Ohr. Passed 5-0-0.
25-002 = Setting 2025 City Council Meeting Schedule: Ohr moved to approve, Seconded by Flotterud. Passed 5-0-0.
25-003 = Authorizing Temporary Liquor License for the Fire Relief Association snowmobile run: Ohr moved to approve, Seconded by Haugen. Passed 5-0-0.
25-004 = Approving 2025 Updated Wanamingo Emergency Management Plan: Dierks moved to approve, Seconded by Flotterud. Boulton stated that he and Gregg Erickson, the Wanamingo Civil Defense Director, had reviewed and made the necessary changes. The changes were mainly in the contacts and contact information. Passed 5-0-0.
25-005 = Authorizing a Temporary Gambling Permit for the Wanamingo Fire Relief Association: Dierks moved to approve, Seconded by Haugen. Passed 5-0-0.
25-006 = Approving Financial Authorization: Ohr moved to approve, seconded by Flotterud. Passed 5-0-0.
25-007 = Appointing Fire Department Officers for 2025: Ohr moved to approve, seconded by Haugen. Passed 5-0-0.
25-008 = Approving the Pay Equity Implementation Report for the City of Wanamingo: Flotterud moved to approve, Seconded by Haugen. Passed 5-0-0.
25-009 = Approving Pay Request No. 8 to The Joseph Company, Inc. for the Well House Portion of the 2022 Utility Improvements: Dierks moved to approve, seconded by Flotterud. Boulton stated that the pay request is for the electrical general provisions and general conditions. The total pay estimate is $23,275.00. Theobald stated that project will be completed in the coming weeks. Boulton stated that there is $52,807.30 left to be paid out to the contractor for work that will be completed on the project. Theobald stated that the contractor has submitted a change order for subcontractor costs due to delay. Theobald stated that the controller days by supplier are through a separate City contractor, leading to delays of the project. Theobald stated that he would work with City staff and the contractor to iron out the request for additional costs. Passed 5-0-0.
25-010 = Declaring 1967 Chevrolet Truck Surplus Property and Authorizing the Sale of Surplus Property by Houghton Auction Services: Ohr moved to approve, seconded by Haugen. Passed 5-0-0.
OLD BUSINESS:
Public Hearing - Mayor Holmes opened Ordinance #209 - 2025 Fee Schedule Hearing at 7:52PM. Administrator Boulton went over the proposed changes from 2024 Fee Schedule for the proposed 2025 fee schedule including increasing the park shelter rent from $35 to $40, increasing the copy and fax (per page rate) from $0.25 to $0.50, increasing the sewer hook-up from $700 to $750, increasing water meter cost from $360 to $370, increasing the per 1,000 gallons water rate from $6.00 to $6.25, increasing the per 1,000 gallons sewer rate from $7.00 to $7.25, increasing the sewer debt service/base fee from $28.00/month to $32.00/month, increasing the monthly garbage fee from $16.50/month to $19.11/month, and increasing the monthly recycling fee from $6.85/month to $7.35/month. The increase to the water meter fee helps to cover increases to the actual costs of the water meters and readers. Boulton stated that the proposed per 1,000-gallon water rate increase of $0.25 would bring in roughly $7,000/year more for water in 2025. Boulton stated that the proposed per 1,000-gallon sewer rate increase of $0.25 would bring in roughly $7,000/year more for water in 2025. Boulton stated that the proposed monthly sewer base rate/debt service fee increase of $4.00/month to each hook-up would bring in roughly $28,000 in new revenue in 2025. The garbage and recycling monthly increase reflect the yearly new contract with Highland Sanitation. Throughout the year, including the budgeting process, the Council has discussed and has recommended the above changes. The City Auditors recommend that the Council review sewer/water rates and make small adjustments regularly to capture revenue as opposed to large jumps. The wastewater treatment plant will need upgrades soon which could cost millions of dollars. No Additional Public Comments Offered. Mayor Holmes closed the public hearing at 7:57PM.
Ordinance #209 - 2025 Fee Schedule - 2nd Reading - Ohr moved to approve, seconded by Flotterud. Passed 5-0-0.
Public Hearing – Mayor Holmes opened Ordinance #210 – Amending Chapter 116 Business Regulation – Regulating Cannabis Business Hearing at 7:58PM. Administrator Boulton stated that a sample ordinance was made available by the State in late November. Boulton stated that the sample ordinance was modified into the Wanamingo format. Boulton stated that all cities were required to have cannabis business regulation ordinances in place by January 2025. Boulton stated that the City Attorney, David Jacobsen, reviewed the ordinance with minimal proposed changes from the December 2024 draft that was presented. No Additional Public Comments Offered. Mayor Holmes closed the public hearing at 8:03PM.
ORDINANCE #210 – Amending Chapter 116 Business Regulation – Regulating Cannabis Business – 2nd Reading – Flotterud moved to approve, seconded by Ohr. Passed 5-0-0.
Administrator Boulton presented the 2024 Wanamingo Outstanding Indebtedness Report. The Wanamingo EDA paid $28,000 in principle in 2024 and owes $270,000 at the beginning of 2025. The City paid $482,000 in principal in 2024 and owes $4,584,000 at the beginning of 2025. Boulton stated that the current debt service is manageable with the interest rates associated with the existing bonds. Boulton stated that the City has roughly $130,000 of debt service capacity available for 2024/2025 (utilized in truck purchases in 2024 and Street shop rehab project in 2025) with additional capacity available in 2026 ($90,000), 2027 ($93,000), and 2028 ($53,000). The next debt service capacity available would be $108,000 in 2032. The plan would be to issue new debt in the coming years to pay for infrastructure and equipment needs. Boulton stated that the City paid $510,000 in principle and roughly $129,394.75 in interest in 2024. The report will be submitted to Goodhue County next week, according to the MN State Statutes.
Enforcement Process – Mead Johnson - Reckitt – 410 day written letter toward meeting goal of waste pH – Boulton stated that the City had not yet received a letter from Mead Johnson – Reckitt for the month. Mead Johnson – Reckitt pH of wastewater discharge was within range during most of the month of December. The frac tank was installed and incorporated into their process back in March. Mead Johnson – Reckitt goal is to install a new lift station with pH treatment, which will wait until 2025. The temporary, above ground tank had shell constructed around it for winter to keep it from freezing. Boulton stated that the Wanamingo staff are still monitoring the wastewater discharge from Reckitt-Mead Johnson. The pH levels of the wastewater discharge are being adjusted before being sent to the wastewater treatment plant. The pH levels should be within 5.0 and 9.5. City Staff have been working with Reckitt-Mead Johnson toward the achieved solution of pH levels within the limits. The City appreciates the open dialogue and work, to date, from Reckitt-Mead Johnson. Boulton stated the Enforcement Process would remain on the monthly agenda until Summer 2025 (or later), or when the permanent structure is completed. Boulton stated Reckitt-Mead Johnson would be required to provide written monthly updates to the City Council.
Boulton stated that the annual City Council/Staff Appreciation Dinner would be held on Saturday January 25th. Social hour starting at 6:00PM and dinner at 6:30PM. Boulton stated that formal invites would be sent out later in the week.
*Fire Department/Township/City Annual Meeting is on 2/3/2025 at 6:30pm
*Next City Council meeting on 2/10/2025 at 7:00pm.
Adjourn: At 8:11PM a motion to adjourn was made by Dierks and seconded by Flotterud. Passed 5-0-0.
Signed: Attest:
_____________________ ____________________________________
Ryan Holmes, Mayor Michael Boulton, City Administrator
