CITY OF WANAMINGO
City Council Regular Meeting
Monday, October 14, 2024 7:00 P.M.
Wanamingo City Council Chambers – 401 Main Street
Wanamingo, MN
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Holmes.
PRESENT: Council: Eric Dierks, Rebecca Haugen, Ryan Holmes, Jeremiah Flotterud, and Stuart Ohr
City Administrator: Michael Boulton
Deputy Clerk: Karen Masters
ABSENT: None
ALSO PRESENT: Brad Kennedy, Cobus Peens, Brandon Theobald – WHKS, Christine Lundin, Shawn Anderson, Bobby Stewart – Highland Sanitation, Goodhue County Deputy Mike Ayres, Beth Haas – Zumbrota News Record, and Daren Strobel – Kenyon Leader.
ADOPT AGENDA: Ohr motioned to adopt the agenda, seconded by Haugen. Holmes stated that Jon Whitcomb of Metro East Commercial Real Estate would not be present and has asked that Emerald Valley II Addition items be removed from the agenda. Passed 5-0-0.
CONSENT AGENDA: Dierks motioned, seconded by Flotterud. Passed 5-0-0.
PRESENTERS:
A) Brad Kennedy reported on:
1) Worked with Jason’s Sewer Sucking & Excavation to repair water service line on 2nd Street E. The leak was to an old line that fed 2nd Street E houses before the road was extended. The line was capped off, eliminating roughly one hundred feet of old unused line.
2) Clay sanitary sewer lines jetted with cutting head. There was a tree root plug discovered in the line between the Livery Barn and the elevator. The plan is to hire a contractor with a camera and a small jetter/cutting head to see if the line can be opened back up. If there are continued issues the line may need to be dug up and trees planted over the sanitary sewer line removed.
3) Plan to haul out and land apply biosolids from the WWTP when soil tests complete.
4) Flushed all the hydrants throughout town
5) Winterized community garden water tanks
6) Well House prefab building will be set on October 15th. Working with contractor to pour concrete driveway, set backup generator, and pour concrete slab for rails/cart/mile marker.
7) Leaf vacuum has been out getting leaves sucked off the streets
8) 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.
9) Swept streets; the goal is to sweep Main Street weekly, the west side of town one week and the east side of town the next week on Wednesdays.
B) Brandon Theobald – WHKS, reported on:
1) Smoke Testing – a fan pushes pressurized smoke into manholes and comes out sewer venting. No major cross connection issues found.
A. Sanitary sewer equalization pond is impactful on allowing rain water into the sanitary sewer. The intakes on the pond will stay open for now. If plugged the pond will fill with stagnant water. The pond would either need to be regularly pumped out or the storage material would need to be removed. The pond will be decommissioned when the new sewer plant is constructed, eliminated the rain water from system in the future.
B. There are eleven casting manholes with open pick holes. One of the manholes is in a ditch and could have impactful amount of rain water entering the system.
C. There are six broken service cleanout line covers.
D. There are two manholes that need sealing attention.
E. Would like to have found more issues while smoke testing. A final memo/report will be submitted to the City. City staff plan to follow through with manhole repairs and broken service cleanout lines cover replacements.
Flotterud asked how much rain water that the equalization basin was letting into the sanitary sewer system. Theobald stated that he could calculate the area of the catch basin times roughly thirty-five inches of moisture per year. Theobald stated that he would send staff the numbers to share with the Council. Theobald stated that the equalization basin has a fifteen-inch line that has not been used in decades.
2) The sump pump inspection program is well underway.
A) There are roughly 480 properties with connections. There have been 359 inspections completed. There are an additional 49 properties scheduled for inspection. There are 72 properties that have not scheduled their inspection. 85% of the City has been scheduled for inspection. This is the best response for a sump pump inspection program that WHKS has conducted with the first letter.
B) There have been 327 properties that have passed inspection. There are two properties that require follow-ups by City staff to conduct dye testing. There have been 30 properties that have failed inspection. There are 7 properties with beaver systems into the sanitary. There have been 10 properties with flex hoses. There are 8 properties with sump pumps directly into the sanitary sewer system. There are 5 properties with a sump pit with no pump or piping for pump. Roughly 9% of properties have failed inspection, right in line with other communities’ failure rate. The inspector has also come to properties where the homeowner told the inspector that they made corrections to their sump pump system before the inspection was completed. This changed what would have been a failure to a pass.
C) WHKS, City Staff, and City Attorney reviewing the second letter that should be sent out next week.
D) Staff plans to reach out to unique properties that have not scheduled inspections to help shrink remaining list.
Flotterud asked if failures would be mapped to see if certain areas of town had more issues than others. Flotterud said that it would be nice to quantify gallons saved from being treated at the sanitary sewer treatment plant with the program. Dierks asked what happens if the City does not obtain 100% sump pump inspections. Theobald stated that there will be two to three letters sent to property owners. There will also be a door hanger placed at the property with how to set up inspection. Theobald stated that after the notification process the Council will approve a list of the remaining properties to place a monthly administrative fee as part of the utility bill.
3) Lead Service Lines
A) The Wanamingo lead service line identification was paid for through a Minnesota Department of Health grant.
B) The program was able to take out new homes since the lead service line ban went into effect.
C) That leaves 75% of the service lines in town as unknown.
D) Lead or galvanized service lines or unknown would be required to be sent a notification letter within 30 days (November 19th).
E) Still working to identify lead or galvanized service lines with the sump pump inspection program.
F) State will be creating a GIS mapping of all service line types that will be updated yearly.
G) There will be future grant funding available through State and EPA to replace lead and galvanized service lines in the future.
Holmes stated that the letters should be held off to be sent until the sump pump inspection program/service line identification program is complete. Theobald stated that the first letter would be confusing to the public stating that your service line is unknown and could be lead. Theobald stated that service lines could be copper, plastic, lead galvanized, or other. Theobald stated that 359 service lines could be removed that have been inspected. Theobald stated that WHKS staff will work with Minnesota Department of Health on specific details of who needs the letters in order to keep confusion to residents to a minimum. Holmes stated that it was too bad that the 30-day letter requirement was in place while the City is still gathering information and preferred to wait.
NEW BUSINESS:
RESOLUTION:
24-059 = Certifying Delinquent Utility Bills and Other Services to the Goodhue County Auditor-Treasurer for the Collection with Real Estate Taxes in 2025: Dierks moved to approve, Seconded by Ohr. Mayor Holmes asked if there were any challenges to the certifications. No challenges were made. Passed 5-0-0.
24-060 = Certifying Mowing Service Charges to the Goodhue County Auditor-Treasurer for the Collection with Real Estate Taxes in 2025: Ohr moved to table, Seconded by Haugen. Mayor Holmes asked if there were any challenges to the certifications. No challenges were made. Passed 5-0-0.
24-061 = Declaring 1999 Ford Ranger Surplus Property and Authorizing the Sale of Surplus Property By Graves Online Auction: Haugen moved to table, Seconded by Ohr. Flotterud asked why Graves Online Auction was picked over Houghton’s Auction Services or Oronoco Online Auctions. Holmes stated that Graves has 0% seller fee over $1,000. Flotterud stated that Houghton’s vehicle sales tend to go for more money. Flotterud asked how many miles were on the Ford Ranger. Kennedy thought roughly 85,000 miles. Flotterud asked why not list on Facebook Market Place. Boulton stated that the City sold the old skid loader on Facebook Market Place. Boulton stated that the staff experience was not pleasant and that the City staff received a large volume of calls, even after the skid loader was sold. Boulton stated that the Ford Ranger sale would gauge how the City will proceed with other surplus equipment such as the dump truck and fire truck. Staff has asked for direction from Council to sell surplus equipment for several months and have requested that Council try the auction method with the Ford Ranger. Passed 5-0-0.
24-062 = Approving Residential and Commercial Solid Waste and Recycling Franchise Agreement with Highland Sanitation: Dierks moved to approve, Seconded by Flotterud. Stewart and staff had discussed changes to the draft agreement. Highland would like to be able to start pickups at 6:00AM, rather than 7:00AM. The disposal fee language was changed to reflect the actual cost of the tipping fee at the Red Wing facility as part of the pass-through cost. The 2025 tipping fee will be $123/ton compared to the $130/ton proposal. Stewart stated that the agreement will reflect the reduced price in 2025. Stewart stated that this change will help avoid awkward conversations and requests to increase costs when tipping fees increase at the Red Wing facility. Boulton stated that language was added so that the City would be provided with tonnage collected numbers to aid with future Request For Proposals in the future. Boulton stated that language was included so that when the contract expired and was not renewed that the hauler would pick up totes and dumpsters at no cost to the City. Stewart stated that Highland has an agreement with Concast to temporarily store totes and dumpster during the service change. Dierks asked what the color(s) of the totes would be? Stewart stated that the new totes will be burgundy with gray top for garbage and burgundy with yellow tops for recycling. Holmes stated that he is looking forward to a great relationship with Highland Sanitation moving forward. Passed 5-0-0.
24-063 = Approving Pay Request No. 6 to The Joseph Company, Inc. for the Well House Portion of the 2022 Utility Improvements: Ohr moved to approve, Seconded by Haugen. Theobald stated that the pay request is for concrete and electrical work. The total pay estimate is for $36,625.00. Theobald stated that project completion would be roughly a month. Boulton stated that there is $448,455.72 left to be paid out to the contractor for work that will be completed on the project. Passed 5-0-0.
24-064 = Approving Agreement to Add New Member to the Zumbrota Area Ambulance Association: Flotterud moved to approve, Seconded by Ohr. Boulton stated that Mazeppa Township has been serviced by ZAAA for decades, but was overlooked as an official member for voting and paying per capita expenses. Boulton stated that Mazeppa Township has roughly 600 residents. Boulton stated that the ZAAA By-laws require new member approval. The board agreed that there should be a process for each jurisdiction to be made aware of the new member request and vote to make unanimous. Boulton stated that this should be put in place in case requests are made to expand into other jurisdictions where there could be an impact on staff, expenses, and response time. Passed 5-0-0.
Administrator Boulton provided an email request from Goodhue County regarding a potential housing study update. A County-wide housing study was completed in 2019-2020. The cost for the study was $34,515. The City of Red Wing needs to update their portion of the study and has asked if the County would like to update the 2019-2020 study. The County is asking Cities whether they wish to look into a housing study update. There would be a cost that could be offset by applying for a Compeer Rural Feasibility Grant for $5,000.
The Wanamingo City Council discussed the potential update to the County Housing study. There were concerns that the study would not directly assist Wanamingo. Larger communities with apartment buildings and potential new developments would benefit the most. The Council members were luke warm to the idea. The Council members were not closed to the idea and would take part if there is interest from the other communities. The Council agreed to apply for the Compeer grant, if the housing study moves forward.
OLD BUSINESS:
Enforcement Process – Mead Johnson - Reckitt – 300 day written letter toward meeting goal of waste pH – Boulton stated that the City had not yet received a letter from Mead Johnson – Reckitt. Mead Johnson – Reckitt pH of wastewater discharge was within range during most of the month of September, except labor day weekend. 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. The project has been funded and is proceeding through the final engineering design phase. 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. Prior to December 2023, results have regularly shown extremely low and at times high pH levels along with the presence of high levels of QAC (Quaternary Ammonium Compounds) have been sent to Reckitt-Mead Johnson. 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. A September 17th meeting with Reckitt staff and City staff took place. Reckitt has introduced failsafe measures for the tank, including having security staff check the tank on each security round check. The valve now has a lock and the key has to be signed out when opened/closed. Boulton stated that the temporary tank is having a warming structure built for the winter. The permanent system will not be constructed until 2025. The City appreciates the open dialogue and work, to date, from Reckitt-Mead Johnson. The City continues to keep the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency informed during this process, including Carolle Ternus the new Municipal Wastewater Compliance and Enforcement staff member. Boulton stated the Enforcement Process would remain on the monthly agenda until November 2024 (or later), or when the action items are completed. Boulton stated the Reckitt-Mead Johnson would be required to provide written monthly updates to the City Council.
Flotterud asked to discuss the 2020 Ford ¾ ton pickup. The pickup is now four years old. Kelly Bluebook shows a value between $30,000-$35,000. The City purchased the truck for $35,000 in 2020. Flotterud stated that the City should sell the 2020 Ford pickup to get roughly that same amount of money out of what the City paid. Flotterud stated that the City should be buying new trucks and selling old trucks every three years. Flotterud stated that service on aging trucks is expensive, including new tires. Flotterud stated that staff should price a new ¾ ton truck with potential upgrades that would help for resale value. Boulton stated that prices for the new ½ ton truck increased by roughly 1/3 from 2020 to 2024. Boulton stated that a new ¾ ton truck with potential upgrades could cost over $60,000. Boulton stated that the Council would need to budget for the additional costs (at least $25,000 more). Flotterud stated that the Council should review state bid pricing of ¾ ton truck then discuss options to pay for the balance later. Boulton stated that staff would check into 2025 pricing but that it would be wise to identify the balance of cost before moving forward with any purchase.
*Next City Council meeting on 11/18/2024
Boulton stated that a special City Council meeting may need to take place on November 12th or 13th to certify the local election results. Boulton stated that the State requires certification within so many days after the election at that the regular November meeting on the 18th is too far out to meet the requirement. Boulton stated that the City could not host the regular City Council meeting on November 11th due to Veterans Day.
Adjourn: At 8:04 PM a motion to adjourn was made by Ohr and seconded by Haugen. Passed 5-0-0.
Signed: Attest:
_____________________ ____________________________________
Ryan Holmes, Mayor Michael Boulton, City Administrator
