CITY OF WANAMINGO
City Council Regular Meeting
Monday, June 12, 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 (Late)
City Administrator: Michael Boulton
Deputy Clerk: Karen Masters
ABSENT: None
ALSO PRESENT: Cobus Peens, Gary Floan, Melissa Meyers – Zumbrota News-Record, and Josh McGovern – Kenyon Leader.
ADOPT AGENDA: Ohr motioned to adopt the agenda, seconded by Haugen. Passed 4-0-0.
CONSENT AGENDA: Dierks motioned, seconded by Ohr. Passed 4-0-0.
PRESENTERS:
A) Cobus Peens reported on:
1) Floorcoat Midwest completed manhole casting adjustment work and injected one manhole with grout to plug leak.
2) Put up welcome to Wanamingo 4th of July banner
3) Both water tower sites have been graded and hydroseeded. Downtown location is being watered so that there is grass for the 4th of July celebration.
4) Replaced leaking water service line on Nelson Drive. B & N Construction poured new curb/gutter that had been removed during the underground work. Hoping to schedule asphalt work with other asphalt work late summer or early fall.
5) Swimming pool is up and running for the season. There were roughly $7,500 in building and equipment repairs that include kiddie pool bleach/chlorine system, painting (blue instead of white) pool, new filter median (rock & sand) for water filters, new filter to collect sediment, and an assortment of piping to repair leaks within the bathhouse filtration/heating system.
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) Sprayed weeds along curb/gutters of streets, downtown sidewalks, and parks.
8) Burned brush pile at City dump
9) Jetted plugged drain line located on the north side of Hill Circle homes running between Hill Avenue and the ballfields.
10) Replaced 200-gallon non-potable water tank with two, 275-gallon totes at the Community Garden. This will increase capacity for watering from 200 gallons to 550 gallons. The house and brass fittings that attach to the hydrant have been removed due to concerns of the public damaging the hydrant that the tank, and now totes, are filled from.
11) Staff have completed street sweeping along the streets every two weeks.
Holmes asked how long it took to change out the filter median in the swimming pool filter tanks. Peens stated that it took parts of three days to chisel and vacuum out the swimming pool filter tanks. The new filter median seems to be helping with water clarity in the pool compared to the last two years. Holmes stated that the Wanamingo Memorial Day program honoring America’s fallen soldiers went well. Tom Ersland was the keynote speaker while Mayor Holmes, Pastor Rueter, and Wanamingo VFW Commander Gary Floan all spoke. The program was well attended by the public on a beautiful day.
Administrator Boulton provided a memo regarding a proposed street salt-sand storage shed. The current salt-sand shed is constructed utilizing 4’ x 2’ x 2’ concrete blocks with a wood framed roof. There is no floor (ground) while the roof height is not adequate for the skid loaded to push up a pile of material. This makes loading even more difficult while already dealing with the elements. There is concern with salt-sand being exposed to ground elements and washing into street. Area Cities are migrating away from spreading only salt-sand mixture. Most area cities also spread direct salt. Wanamingo would like to have a salt option to spread on the road when there is ice to assist with melting when there are not traction issues. The Wanamingo City staff ordered 40 tons of salt from the MNDOT cooperative purchasing for the upcoming winter. The only place to store the material is on the concrete outside of the shop covered by a tarp. An upgraded street salt-sand shed would be a savings on maintenance time, a savings on street maintenance material costs, and better for the environment (not having sand down storm drains).
Brad Kennedy obtained quotes to construct a new street salt-sand shed. The shed would have room for both salt-sand mixture and for salt piles. B & N Construction provided a $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 other option would be a 24’ x 30’ $9,750 quote for a heavy floating slab with a 5’ x 25’ apron curb. This would require constructing the walls fully out of wood. This would require block wood with tongue and grove to handle the pressure of a wall. The wood material cost for the sidewalls is similar to the cost of concrete. Concrete will last longer and is more durable than wood. Kennedy obtained a quote from Pine Island Lumber of $6,233.66 for materials on the remaining portion of the studded walls cdx plywood (6’ to 12’ height of walls) and roof. It is 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.
Flotterud asked how much salt/sand and salt the City utilizes each snow season. Boulton stated that the City ordered 70 ton of salt for the first time through MNDOT cooperative purchasing for 2023/2024 season. Boulton stated that the City obtains roughly 70-100 ton of salt/sand from Goodhue County as part of an agreement for snow removal on the County Road around the school. Ohr asked of the proposed shed would have a dividing wall. Peens stated no, since the dividing wall would decrease available space. Peens stated that the proposed shed would have separate piles of salt/sand and salt. Peens stated that portions of the piles could mix helping dilute the sand usage on some loads. Peens stated that straight salt would help to melt ice. The sand material does not work with colder weather. There tends to be too much sand placed on the roads each winter to assist with ice and traction. Peens stated that the payloaders do not have enough down pressure to break up and remove ice from the streets without the assistance of straight salt. Peens stated that the salt/sand mixture tends to clump leading to chunks on the road. The maintenance staff need to sweep the streets multiple times in the spring to remove the sand from the streets. Flotterud and Haugen wished to review area salt/sand sheds for ideas on how to construct. Boulton reminded the Council that the footprint of the current and proposed shed does not allow for certain types of sheds to be constructed. Boulton stated that he and Kennedy had put together the options and costs that work on the location. Boulton stated that the lead time is 6-8 weeks for rafters and that the concrete contractor requires similar time for scheduling the work. Boulton stated that the Council should be involved with the proposed salt shed building and cost/budgeting policy and let staff handle the construction details. Ohr stated that the concrete could be installed with a tarped roof this winter if costs were a concern. Flotterud stated that the expensive part of the shed is the concrete and that it would not make sense to do only the concrete. Dierks moved to schedule B & N construction for the proposed concrete with, with walls, with no work to begin before the July City Council meeting with intentions of seeking Council approval, seconded by Ohr. Passed 5-0-0.
NEW BUSINESS:
RESOLUTION:
RESOLUTION 23-032 – Adopting 2023 3rd Quarter Maintenance Work Plan: Dierks moved to approve, seconded by Flotterud. Passed 5-0-0.
RESOLUTION 23-033 - Setting Date for Budget Workshop City Council Meeting: Flotterud moved to approve, seconded by Dierks. Passed 5-0-0.
RESOLUTION 23-034 – Declaring Wanamingo 4th of July Celebration a Community Event within the City of Wanamingo: Ohr moved to approve, seconded by Flotterud. Passed 5-0-0.
RESOLUTION 23-035 – Accepting 2023 4th of July Fireworks Monetary and In-Kind Donation: Dierks moved to approve, seconded by Ohr. Mayor Holmes thanked all parties for the monetary and in-kind donations for the fireworks display. Passed 5-0-0.
RESOLUTION 23-036- Approving Separate Land Lease Agreements with WANA-PROP LLC, 890 3rd Avenue LLC, and Concast Inc. for the July 3rd Fireman’s Dance and 4th of July Fireworks: Ohr moved to approve, seconded by Haugen. Passed 5-0-0.
RESOLUTION 23-037 – Certifying Delinquent Utility Bills and Other Services to the Goodhue County Auditor for Collection with 2024 Real Estate Taxes: Flotterud moved to approve, seconded by Ohr. Boulton stated that the City usually certifies delinquent utilities in March and October. Boulton stated that one of the properties is being foreclosed with a substantial utility bill balance. Boulton stated that the City needs to ensure payment through certification before the bank takes over the property. The other property is a rental with a new property owner in the past year. Administrator Boulton spoke with the property owner regarding the property owner’s first tenant’s balance. The tenant only rented for a few months but only made one utility bill payment. The landlord refused to pay the balance and staff recommends certification. Mayor Holmes asked if anyone wished to contest the certifications. No input was given. Passed 5-0-0.
RESOLUTION 23-038- Approving Pay Request (Invoice) No. 1- Final for Floorcoat Midwest, LLC on Manhole Casting Adjustment Work: Flotterud moved to approve, seconded by Dierks. Boulton stated that there ended up being thirty-five (35) manhole adjustments and one (1) manhole was injected with grout to stop groundwater from getting into the sanitary sewer system. Passed 5-0-0.
RESOLUTION 23-039- Approving Pay Request No. 8 to Caldwell Tanks, Inc. for the Cenex Water Tower Portion of the 2022 Utility Improvements: Ohr moved to approve, seconded by Dierks. Boulton stated that the work is substantially complete with a couple of items left on the punch list. The City will hold 5% retainer for one-year warranty, starting after the punch list along with submitting a completed IC 134 Form. Passed 5-0-0.
RESOLUTION 23-040- Adopting the Standards Necessary for the City of Wanamingo to be Designated as a Purple Heart City: Dierks moved to approve, seconded by Haugen. Mayor Holmes stated that he was approached by Colonel Richard J. Johnson USMC (Retired) about Wanamingo becoming a Purple Heart City. Wanamingo is supposedly the only City in Goodhue County that is not a Purple Heart City. Wanamingo has numerous veterans that have been awarded the Purple Heart, both living and deceased. Holmes stated that the first two signs are free. Holmes stated that the plan would be to purchase two additional signs so that there would be enough signs to be installed on all four of the population signs. Floan thanked the Wanamingo City Council for adopting the standards to become a Purple Heart City. Passed 5-0-0.
OLD BUSINESS:
Administrator Boulton provided a North Zumbro Sanitary Sewer District group update. The Legislature passed the 2023 Capital Investments (Bonding) Bill at the end of Session providing $10 million for Phase I of the North Zumbro Sanitary Sewer District. The House passed the bill 97-35 on May 23rd and the Senate Passed the bill 56-11 on May 22nd. Governor Walz signed the $2.6 billion bill on June 1st to become law. The North Zumbro Sanitary Sewer District group continues to meet monthly. The legislative committee would like to thank all those involved with obtaining the request. The list includes, but is not limited to Senator Jasinski, Senator Drazkowski, Representative Jacob, Representative Daniels, Representative Altendorf, the Senate and House Capital Investments Committee Members, the Legislature, Governor Walz and staff (MMB & MPCA), the Senate and House staff, Prairie Island Indian Community and lobbyists, Winthrop & Weinstine, the Communities’ Engineering Firms, Minnesota Rural Water, the Communities Elected Official, the Communities Staff, and all the others who assisted in the process.
The $10 million appropriations are expected to be available in Fall 2023. However, expenditures after June 1st will be eligible for reimbursement. There is a lot of work that needs to be done over the next year. The working group has been working with Kennedy & Graven Law Firm to put together a Joint Powers Agreement between Goodhue, Pine Island, Wanamingo, and Zumbrota. The agreement will put together a formal executive board which will govern the use of the $10 million. The Joint Powers Agreement will be brought to the City Councils for consideration of approval at the July meetings.
The working group has been working with Minnesota Pollution Control Agency on how the project design and permitting for the future plant is to proceed. The working group has had initial conversations with the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority who will be administering the $10 million.
It’s hard to believe but the working group is already putting together the Minnesota Management & Budget application for 2024 capital investments requests. The staff has a draft application that will be submitted before June 16th. The Councils will have Capital Request resolutions to consider at the July City Council meetings for the Phase II request. 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 waste water treatment plant, collection lines, detention ponds, and decommissioning of the existing sewer plants. Phase II would include a Capital Request of $44.8 million to the State. The total costs for Phase II are $99.6 million, which includes the State 17.07% inflationary factor. The Cities will need to discuss retaining Winthrop & Weinstine’s lobbyist services for the 2024 Legislative Session. An end of July social gathering will take place. This will be a chance to thank area legislators for their work on the bill. A formal invitation will be sent out in the future.
Flotterud asked if the City was fully committed to the project and the long-term financial costs. Flotterud stated that he had concerns if costs of the overall project increase significantly. Boulton stated that the $10 million from the State would be for predesign, design, land acquisition, and getting the district legal work set up for the district. Boulton stated that the proposed Joint Powers Agreement will have a withdrawal clause for each of the communities. The clause will state a 120-day notice and no refund for any portion of contribution will be given. Boulton stated that the Phase II capital request to the legislature would need to be fully approved to move forward. Boulton stated that the Wanamingo waste water treatment plant is near the end of its life cycle, is rapidly deteriorating, and needs to be replaced within the decade. Boulton said that the capital costs by the utility rate payer/tax payer of Wanamingo is less upfront and long-term by being a member the North Zumbro Sanitary sewer district rather than building a stand-alone plant. The cost share difference is $4-$6 million for the sewer district compared to $10-$15 million for a stand-alone plant after outside funding (Federal and State) is factored. It does not make financial sense for Wanamingo to back out of the sewer district. Flotterud asked about the project planning and how much say the Council would have on the project. Boulton stated that the Joint Powers Agreement lays out an executive board consisting of one member per community with defined alternates. Boulton stated that this board will be the decision-making body and that the Councils would receive updates, but would not be directly involved in the decision making. Boulton stated that he and Mayor Holmes had discussed recommending Administrator Boulton as Wanamingo’s director while Council Member Ohr would be recommended as the alternate. Boulton stated that if someone else from the Council or staff wishes to be the director or alternate, they are welcome to discuss with Mayor Holmes regarding the appointment. Ohr asked when the Council would discuss the groundwater inflow and infiltration issues with clay lines. Ohr stated that Wanamingo can not afford to send ground water with its waste once the sewer district is up and running. Boulton stated that most of the inflow and infiltration is in the 20-25 blocks of clay sewer lines in the older area of town. Boulton estimates the cost to replace the clay sewer lines, manhole, and restoration to be $2 million to $3 million. Boulton stated that a proposed street reconstruction project in 2025 will have a few blocks of clay sewer line replacement included. Boulton stated that there is not a master plan to replace all clay sewer lines and older manholes.
*Next City Council meeting on 7/10/2023 at 7:00pm.
Adjourn: At 8:05 PM a motion to adjourn was made by Ohr and seconded by Dierks. Passed 5-0-0.
Signed: Attest:
_____________________ ____________________________________
Ryan Holmes, Mayor Michael Boulton, City Administrator
