Committee Minutes

MINUTES/PUBLIC SERVICE COMMITTEE
Monday, September 12, 1994 - 7:00 p.m.

Members present: Hagness, Beyer, Hamerlik.

1. Communications from District IV Solid Waste Mgmt. Board:
a) project to identify potential landfill sites.
Linda Kingery, Solid Waste Coordinator, District IV, Solid Waste Management Board, reported that this is one of the items included in work plan for this year, the District has a contract with the Dept. of Health, funded through Solid Waste Mgmt. Fund, and one of the work items was to use mapping software to look at Grand Forks County, and start to eliminate bad sites, and those not qualifying because of state and federal rules; that once those excluded would use scoring and weighting system to look at others; main purpose for including in work plan is to help with public relations. She reported she doesn't have any maps yet, but submitted listing of exclusionary conditions for a landfill site based on state rules. She stated she would like to have maps ready by middle of December. She stated that District IV is four county area; that they have set up to look at Grand Forks County only - would be advantage to have disposal site close to population center. She noted that she has been working with County Commission because of zoning requirements; and she will be coming back with mapping of sites.

b) request for funding to assist with solid waste board
program.
Ms. Kingery reported that the District has been supported by State grants and Regional Council's FMHA grant; that if going to exist long term have to come up with different funding methods, and are looking at three options: 1) fees at County level, 2) surcharge on tip fee at landfill, and 3) asking for portion of tip already being paid ($0.50/ton for waste generated outside city - rebate on what is being paid). The committee asked if this is a long term program, and Ms. Kingery stated there is no sunset clause built in; and if effective, serve a role, what services they provide and how. She noted that this is a one-time request. Mr. Lambrecht reported that there is controversy over system of district boards as to whether their original mission was to assist in closing all landfills and develop regional facilities and to waste flow designation and preparation of district plans, that's about done and there is controversy over whether their mission done. He stated that there is an extension of that mission into other areas; that there is a excellent relationship with small communities, which is a result of Dist. IV Board's work. He stated that at this time he feels Board very valuable to us, and his recommendation is that we participate and we do have monies within this year's sanitation budget.

The committee asked if by participating are we committing ourselves to regional concept, and Ms. Kingery stated would not be getting into anything that's binding. She stated they have come up with four recommendations and are waiting for final

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report from Burns & McDonnell: 1) that the City of Grand Forks either could or should own facility; 2) that the District Board would negotiate with owners on policy setting; 3) that it should be fiscally separate from balance of system; and 4) that it should be sited as close to population center as possible. She also noted that the same fees would be applied to all communities. There was some discussion whether this would be City's liability; and it was noted that there would be fund like Landfill Release Fund to take care of that.

Moved by Hamerlik and Beyer that we authorize contribution of $8,000 for this year and that we study the future of our closure and our needs before any other commitment is made. Motion carried. (committee action only)

2. Consideration of bids for Project 4185, storm sewer repair.
Mr. Lambrecht reported that bids came in at less than $5,000 and will be handled administratively.

3. Plans and specifications:
a) Project 4181, forcemain rehab.
b) Project 4199, rehab Lift Stations #22 and #23.
Held.

4. Consideration of bids for Project 3821, Richard's West
storm sewer.
Tom Hanson, WFW, submitted summary of bids received, and reviewed with the committee; and recommended award to the low bidders. He reported that in comparing bids from original bid to rebid, there is an overall savings of $38,411.00 to the project. It was noted that completion date for the project is August 30, 1995.

Moved by Beyer and Hamerlik to accept the low bids as follows:
Schedule A: (storm water pumping station)
General contract, ICS $256,940.00
Electrical contract, Rick Electric, 102,300.00
Schedule B: (forcemain, storm and sanitary sewer,
connection of pumping stations with
electrical and concrete work)
Molstad Excavating, Inc. 775,824.00
Motion carried.

5. Consideration of bids:
a) Project 4242, Dist. 355, sanitary sewer on N. 51st St.
Al Grasser submitted summary of bids received, which indicated that Molstad Excavating was low bidder in the amount of $69,420.00, which is over engineer's estimate of $50,450.00), possibly high because of tight time frame. He stated he had discussed bids, and possibility of rebidding, with Dan Schmaltz, developer; however, Mr. Schmaltz is planning to put up model

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homes with yards, etc. and rebidding would be disruptive to his plans. The committee asked if there was problem with contractor handling this project along with Richard's West storm sewer project, and Mr. Grasser and Mr. Hanson did not think there would be any problem. Moved by Beyer and Hamerlik to accept low bid and award contract to Molstad Excavating, Inc. in the amount of $69,430.00. Motion carried.

6. Matter of sidewalks in Kuster Fourth Resubdivision.
Mr. Grasser reviewed plans for temporary asphalt and/or permanent sidewalk along 17th Avenue South, and recommended installation because of rapid development of the area; and reported he had discussed installation of the sidewalks with the developers (they did not appear at meeting).

Moved by Hamerlik and Beyer to include on sidewalk list installation of temporary asphalt sidewalks on 17th Avenue South from Lynwood Circle to the end of the temporary street, and install permanent sidewalks from that point to South 34th Street. Motion carried.

7. Matter of curb replacement for 1112 to 1222 S. 12th Street.
Bev Collings, Code Enf. Officer, reported that in inspecting curbs and condition of berms, etc. she was recommending installation of a full curb and gutter for these properties. It was noted that earlier this year the council had approved Sidewalk List No. 1 with deletion of curbing at these properties. Mr. Grasser recommended doing work this fall by adding these properties to the sidewalk list, with notification to the property owners by certified mail. Moved by Hamerlik and Beyer to include curb and gutter replacement on Sidewalk List No. 2, and to approve said sidewalk list. Motion carried.

Mr. Hamerlik expressed some concern re. cars in driveway blocking sidewalks, re. visually impaired; and it was noted that enforce-
ment for this violation would be by the police department.

8. Plans and specifications:
a) Proj. 4223, drainage structure at N. 55th St. and 27th
Avenue N.
Mr. Grasser, and Dean Weiland, CPS, Ltd., consulting engineer, reviewed plans for the project, and noted that Community Development has obtained some funding for this project through grant; that they have looked at various alternatives, bridges, culverts, etc., and consultant is recommending construction of bridge. Mr. Grasser reported that the complications on this location is that there is jet fuel line, gas line, sewage forcemain and high voltage power line running through that location. Mr. Weiland reported bridge would be 40'x32'wide, precast concrete. He reported one of the major concerns of this location besides box culverts being old and

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somewhat damaged is that there was a 2 ft. rise in the head of them because they were in place and undersized, and by putting in new bridge will eliminate that 2 ft. rise in the water in the 100 yr. flood, beneficial project to the city, est. construction cost $110,000. He also noted that there is a 9" gas line to the Base, 6" natural gas line which feeds Emerado and the Air Base, and NSP high voltage power line which would need to be relocated. He stated they are working with Strategic Defense out of Virginia for relocation of fueling line to the Base, and doesn't have firm commitment from NSP that they will handle cost of relocation.

Moved by Beyer and Hamerlik to approve plans and specifications, and authorize call for bids. Motion carried.

b) Proj. 4248, flood hazard mitigation projects.
Mr. Grasser reported that they had received funding for 5 1993 projects: 1) culvert across Alpha Avenue; 2) pump behind reclamation plant, 3) combined 2 separate outfalls on Lewis Blvd. and Riverside Drive, and last project at intersection of Red Dot and Alpha Avenue (replacement of corrigated metal pipe and flapgate) at est. cost of $7400. Moved by Beyer and Hamerlik to approve plans and specifications for replacement of pipe and flapgate at Red Dot Place and Alpha Avenue, and to authorize call for bids. Motion carried.

9. Matter of update on status of English Coulee L.O.M.R.
Mr. Grasser reported that FEMA has map of the city showing areas in the 100 year floodplain, anyone within the floodplain financing or refinancing is required to pay flood insurance. He stated this project goes back to the 1979 flood, mainly caused by the English Coulee, and a plan was put together for a diversion structure and a dry dam to take care of that project, the work has been done, however, have been trying for three years to get process finished. He reported that the Letter of Map Revision changes the map that FEMA produces and takes those areas out of the flood plain and because of that no longer have to pay flood insurance. He stated that City hired CPS to assist City in putting together information needed to obtain and coordinate with the State Water Commission SCS. He reported that the State Water Commission has identified some work that needs to be done to satisfy FEMA before they will give us the Letter of Map Revision, work involves redoing a couple of approaches south of Highway 2 and building up some dikes so we get a min. of at least 2 ft. of freeboard above water surface profile. He reported that when that work is done they will certify that it's appropriate to the Soil Conservation Service, who will then certify to FEMA, only certification that FEMA will accept is from another federal agency.

He reported they will be asking CPS to prepare plans and specifications and come in with a contract at next meeting, $80-
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100,000 to do the work, doesn't know where monies coming from,
talked to GF Water Resource District, and if they want to ask them to participate (they participated in original project).

Mr. Weiland stated waiting on State Water Commission to complete their study, report outlining their suggestions and how to meet FEMA standards.

Information only.

10. Matter of public works/city engineer position.
Mr. Hagness noted this item on both public service and finance committee agendas; that sometime ago job split into two separate positions - public works director and city engineer, which are in place today; and now asking that they combine the two into one position of city engineer and public works director, with an assistant public works director and an assistant city engineer. Mr. Vein stated that he has capable assistants working under him, and he works as coordinator between departments, that positions have different responsibilities. He also stated that the grade could change, but thinks it would remain as is. Mr. Lambrecht and Mr. Grasser both agreed with combining of the two job descriptions into one position.

Moved by Beyer and Hamerlik that we recommend creation of a new job description for city engineer and director of public works. Motion carried.

Mr. Hagness stated that he would attend the finance committee meeting.

11. Budget amendment.
A request from the street department for budget amendment to transfer $5,410.00 from 1993 carryover to Vehicle Maintenance was reviewed by the committee. Moved by Beyer and Hamerlik to approve the budget amendment and to introduce an ordinance for first reading. Motion carried.

12. Minutes of department meetings.
Mr. Vein reported they were going to hold department meetings on a weekly basis and asked whether committee wished to continue to receive copies of the minutes, which they did.

Meeting adjourned.

Alice Fontaine
City Clerk

Dated: 9/13/94.