CITY OF WANAMINGO
City Council Regular Meeting
Monday, July 10, 2023 7:00 P.M.
Wanamingo City Council Chambers – 401 Main Street
Wanamingo, MN
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Holmes.
PRESENT: Council: Ryan Holmes, Stuart Ohr, Rebecca Haugen, and Eric Dierks
City Administrator: Michael Boulton
Deputy Clerk: Karen Masters
ABSENT: Jeremiah Flotterud
ALSO PRESENT: Brad Kennedy and Melissa Meyers – Zumbrota News-Record
ADOPT AGENDA: Ohr motioned to adopt the agenda, seconded by Haugen. Passed 4-0-0.
CONSENT AGENDA: Haugen motioned, seconded by Dierks. Holmes stated that he and Administrator Boulton just came from Goodhue County Habitat for Humanity ground-breaking at 5:30PM. The building permit is part of the consent agenda. Holmes is excited for the project and to work with Goodhue County Habitat for Humanity. Passed 4-0-0.
PRESENTERS:
A) Brad Kennedy reported on:
1) Much of the last month was in preparation for the 4th of July
2) Trimmed sucker branches on trees located along parade route
3) Weed whipped and mowed around public and private properties leading up to the 4th of July
4) Coordinated Waste Management dumpsters and brought garbage containers to fire hall for 3rd of July Dance/4th of July activities
5) Sprayed weeds along curb/gutters of streets, downtown sidewalks, and parks.
6) Mowed and trimmed along MN TH 60 & MN TH 57 ditch and utility poles. Mowed at the WWTP, community garden, undeveloped lot boulevards, and other various areas around town.
7) Staff have completed street sweeping along the streets every two weeks and multiple times leading up to the 4th of July weekend. This included clean up after the June 29th storm.
8) Installed 20 water meter endpoints in Hillcrest Manor. There are 21 water meter endpoints left to replace in Hillcrest Manor along with one home. The next endpoints shipment is on backorder from Metering Technologies & Solutions.
9) Installed new screws and roof caulking on the 648 2nd Ave Street Shop building roof. The roof experienced some leaking the spring and summer.
10) Drained baby pool to repaint after iron deposits. The filter installed this spring is collecting iron deposits but needs to be changed weekly.
11) Installed four Purple Heart City signs on Population sign posts along MN TH 57 & MN TH 60 City Limits
12) Metering Technologies & Solutions notified Wanamingo that Tyler, MN would like to purchase 75 old water meter end points – ERT’s (Encoder Receiver Transmitter). City staff plan to negotiate a price ($20-$30/meter) for the endpoints that were originally purchased for $90 4-7 years ago. There are few communities that still utilize this technology, so there is a limited market.
13) Maintenance staff will pick up 12’ Falls Plow edge piece from Little Falls at the end of the week. Shipping would be close to $1,000, but no one would ship it. The edge piece(s) were damaged last winter as part of the snow plow hitting manholes that stuck above the road.
14) Schumacher Excavating will be completing work to the Nelson Drive retention pond, repairing/replacing hydrants, and replacing a water shut off valve in the coming week or two.
Boulton stated that the City had received a bid of $18,452.50 from Rochester Sand & Gravel for saw cut clean bituminous edge, excavate backfilled aggregate, shape, and patch 4.0” average depth bituminous pavement. Boulton stated that the locations were as follows:
-Hill Avenue/2nd Street E – Asphalt work around manhole and catch basin that will be reset along with concrete curb replacement. It is estimated to be a 15’ x 8’ (120 sf) asphalt patch.
-Main Street/Beverly Street – Asphalt work around hydrant that will be replaced along with concrete curb replacement – It is estimated to be a 20’x 8’ (160 sf) asphalt patch.
-1st Avenue/4th Street West - Asphalt work around hydrant that will be replaced along with concrete curb replacement – It is estimated to be a 15’x 8’ (120 sf) asphalt patch.
-905 7th Avenue – Asphalt patch will be completed after manhole is adjusted. It is estimated to be a 30’ x 30’ (900 sf) asphalt patch.
-Nelson Drive – Asphalt patch will be completed after leaking water service line is repair. It is estimated to be a 15’ x 15’ (225 sf) asphalt patch.
Boulton stated that the Council had approved the 2023 Street Maintenance plan that included manhole improvements, hydrant repairs, concrete curb/gutter replacement, and asphalt patch work. The Rochester Sand & Gravel bid is consistent with the market for asphalt and preparation work. The Council agreed to move forward with the work. Boulton stated that he would sign and send back the bid estimate to Rochester Sand & Gravel.
NEW BUSINESS:
RESOLUTION:
RESOLUTION 23-041 – Approving a Joint Powers Agreement for North Zumbro Sanitary Sewer District Between the Cities of Goodhue, Pine Island, Wanamingo and Zumbrota: Dierks moved to approve, seconded by Ohr. Mayor Holmes recommends the appointment of Michael Boulton as the City of Wanamingo director of the executive committee and Stuart Ohr as the City of Wanamingo alternate director of the executive committee. The executive committee will be the legal body of the Joint Powers Agreement. Joint Powers decisions will not be coming back to the City Councils for approval. The City Council can change director or alternate director to the Joint Powers executive committee at any time. Haugen asked if anyone could attend the executive committee meetings. Boulton stated that the meetings will be open to the public. Boulton stated that the executive committee meeting minutes will be published on each of the communities’ websites and that a copy of the minutes will be included monthly in each of the City Council meeting agenda packets. Boulton stated that Prairie Island Indian Community will start out as an ex officio member with ability to become a full member once land purchased is placed in Federal Land Trust and development occurs. Passed 4-0-0.
RESOLUTION 23-042 - Approving Support for a North Zumbro Sanitary Sewer District Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility G.O. Bonding Bill Request: Ohr moved to approve, seconded by Dierks. Boulton stated that a support resolution is required for the Minnesota Management & Budget capital request form. Holmes asked if there will be other Federal funding opportunities beyond the Point Source Implementation Grants. Boulton stated that having the pre-design documents completed will make the project open to applying for Congressionally Directed Spending and other infrastructure related Federal grants. Passed 4-0-0.
OLD BUSINESS:
Administrator Boulton provided a North Zumbro Sanitary Sewer District group update. The legislative group has been working with Kennedy & Graven Law Firm to finalize a Joint Powers Agreement between Goodhue, Pine Island, Wanamingo, and Zumbrota. The Joint Powers agreement puts together a formal executive board which will govern the use of the $10 million State Appropriation. The $10 million is for the predesign, design, land acquisition, and legal work for Phase I of the project. The Joint Powers Agreement, through Wanamingo Resolution 23-041, is in front of the City Council for consideration of approval. Mayor Holmes will be recommending the appointment of Michael Boulton as the City of Wanamingo director of the executive committee and Stuart Ohr as the City of Wanamingo alternate director of the executive committee.
The $10 million appropriations are expected to be available in Fall 2023 through the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority. The North Zumbro Sanitary District working group has had initial conversations with the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority who will be administering the $10 million. The legislative group will need to work with the engineers to complete a check list submission before incurring expenditures. Expenditures after June 1st will be eligible for reimbursement.
The working group met with Minnesota Pollution Control Agency on June 29th. The overarching goal of this meeting was for MPCA to learn a little bit more about the project. The MPCA wanted to discuss projected project timelines, the permitting process, steps to applying for/obtaining a permit, etc. Early communication should make the process smoother and more efficient for all involved. There was a discussion on the Joint Powers Agreement. The group discussed concept for new regional facility (plant location, outfall, AWW Flows, etc.). The MPCA laid out Preliminary Effluent Limits, SDRs, Anti-Degradation, and Sulfate Update (Scott Weiss). There was an Environmental Review Considerations/Process (Samantha Bump). We discussed Funding and Facility Planning Considerations (Corey Hower). There was discussion on Applicable Waste Load Allocations, Nitrogen update, and Regulatory Certainty (Marco Graziani). The Permitting process, steps, and approximate timelines were laid out (Holly Mikkelson). There was also discussion on Permitting Timeline Goals-Four Cities.
The legislative group put together the Minnesota Management & Budget application for 2024 capital investments requests. The application was submitted June 15th (June 16th deadline). The Councils will consider Resolution 23-042 for the Phase II, construction, capital request of $37.5 million ($44.8 million estimated inflator) at the July City Council meeting. The initial $10 million Phase I is for predesign, design, land acquisition, and other work in preparation for construction. Phase I is being paid 100% by the State. Phase II would be for construction of the wastewater treatment plant, collection lines, detention ponds, and decommissioning of the existing sewer plants. Phase II would include a Capital Request of $44.8 million (including estimated inflator) to the State. The total costs for Phase II are $99.6 million, which includes the State 17.07% inflationary factor.
On Wednesday August 2nd there will be an appreciation picnic for all those involved in securing the $10 million appropriation. Representatives from Goodhue, Pine Island, Wanamingo, Zumbrota and The Prairie Island Community have been meeting for almost 3 years to this point. We want to recognize everyone’s effort, including City Councils, Legislators, Engineering Consulting Firms, and City Staff. You invited to an evening of appreciation for your time and effort you have dedicated to help to move this project forward. This will be a chance for City Council members and staff to thank area legislators for their work on the bill. The event will take place at the Zumbrota Park Shelter from 6:30PM-8:00PM. There will be hot dogs, hamburgers, bars, and refreshments. A formal invitation was sent out June 29th. Notices will be posted of possible quorums of City Councils for each of the communities.
RESOLUTION 23-043- Approving Street Salt-Sand Shed Construction Proposal: Ohr moved to approve, seconded by Haugen. Administrator Boulton reminded the Council of information provided last month regarding the proposed street salt-sand storage shed. The proposal includes a B & N Construction $17,900 quote for a 24’ x 30’ heavy floating slab type foundation with 10” thick 6’ high walls on three sides. A 5’ x 25’ apron between the structure and curb would be included in the price. The proposal also includes a Pine Island Lumber $6,233.66 quote for materials on the remaining portion of the studded walls cdx plywood (6’ to 12’ height of walls) and roof. Staff recommends an additional $1,500 to place steel on the walls. The estimated cost of the project is $24,123.66 (plus an additional $1,500 to place steel on the walls). The maintenance staff would plan to construct the walls. The proposed plan is to pay for the proposed $24,123.66 salt-sand shed out of the Storm Water Fund. The shed will allow for less sand usage. This will send less sand into the storm drains and keep more sand off the streets in the spring (less street sweeping and cleaning out of storm lines). The Storm Water Fund has $51,429 in it at the end of 2022. The Nelson Drive storm water pond clean out bill has not been received by the City, but should be around $15,000. The Storm Water Fund generates roughly $26,500 per year in revenue. At the end of 2023 the Storm Water Fund should have roughly $62,900. If the salt-sand shed project is paid for out of the Storm Water fund it would end up with roughly $38,700 at the end of 2023. Kennedy stated that a decision was needed in July. Kennedy stated that B & N Construction could complete the concrete work, but their schedule makes it difficult to guarantee being completed before September. Kennedy stated that the new leased skid loader is planned to be delivered in August. Kennedy stated that the City has roughly 30 hours left on the current skid loader lease that he wished to utilize on the dirt work preparation for this project. Kennedy stated that Councilmember Flotterud volunteered to obtain another concrete contractor quote, but has not provided a quote with staff. Haugen stated that after review from June the price of the proposed street salt-shed is in line with current construction costs. Haugen stated that the salt and sand needs storage requires improvement before this winter. Haugen does not wish to see a tarp covering any of the materials in the open. Haugen stated that she and the public wish to see snow removal and salt-sanding completed as soon as possible. The proposed salt-sand shed is an improvement to the snow and ice removal process that is needed. Haugen stated that the storm water fund is an appropriate funding source for the project. Kennedy stated that the costs seem high due to the numerous yards of concrete needed for the project. Kennedy stated that concrete saw a sharp increase in price from 2022 to 2023. Holmes agreed that the proposed salt-shed project pricing is fair and that the project needs to be completed before winter and before delivery of first salt shipment. Holmes stated that the City purchasing and utilizing salt will help with ice buildup compared to only utilizing sand. Kennedy asked if the Council wished to utilize tin or plywood and paint for the walls ($1,500 difference). Haugen moved to utilize tin, seconded by Dierks. Passed 4-0-0. Resolution Passed 4-0-0.
RESOLUTION 23-044- Accepting Monetary and In-Kind Donations for Prairie Ridge Estates Park Improvements: Haugen moved to approve, seconded by Ohr. Mayor Holmes thanked everyone who has been involved with planning the project, raising funds, and the contractors for completing the shelter. Boulton stated that Xcel Energy still needs to run underground power to the shelter. The shelter is fully wired and waiting for power. Kennedy stated that the City is also waiting on the 42” screen door to be delivered so that it can be installed. The total project costs were $41,718.13 while there were $18,500.00 in donations. Passed 4-0-0.
Mayor Holmes acknowledged that the Wanamingo 4th of July celebration went very well. Holmes thanked the fireman for the work with the Fireman’s dance, parade, water fights, and fireworks. Holmes thanked the Wanamingo Lions, Wanamingo Commercial Club, and all the other civic groups and churches that hosted events and contributed toward the celebration. Holmes stated that the current civic groups need additional volunteers to continue the celebration and encourage citizens to join either the Wanamingo Lions or Commercial Club. Holmes stated that the Goodhue County Sheriff’s office did not have the usual presence at the parade due to deployment of most on duty deputies being called to a tragedy on the Mississippi River that took three lives. Holmes stated that the weather cooperated on the 4th of July for the parade and fireworks. Holmes said that the turnout was great and look forward to next year. Boulton stated that additional communication between all groups involved will help improve operations with July 4th activities.
Mayor Holmes stated that the EDA board members toured the Wanamingo Medical Center Building. Board members were able to view the three suites leased by Olmsted Medical Center, Abounding Hope Counseling Clinic, and Reckitt/Mead Johnson.
*Next City Council meeting on 8/14/2023 at 7:00pm.
*2024 City Council Budget Workshop meeting on 7/24/2023 at 6:00pm. Administrator Boulton and Mayor Holmes announced that the City Council will be touring the Wanamingo Street Shop building and looking at equipment for the capital improvement planning. This tour will occur after the budget meeting work items are complete.
Adjourn: At 7:48 PM a motion to adjourn was made by Haugen and seconded by Ohr. Passed 4-0-0.
Signed: Attest:
_____________________ ____________________________________
Ryan Holmes, Mayor Michael Boulton, City Administrator
