Committee Minutes

MINUTES/PUBLIC SERVICE COMMITTEE
Monday, January 27, 1997 - 7:00 p.m.

Members present: Hagness, Hafner.

1. Request from Red River Regional Council for continuation of
contract for services.
Held until Monday, February 3, at 6:45 p.m.

2. Matter of appraisal report for property acquisition for
pedestrian underpass/walkway between S. Wash. St. and S. 12th
St. and S. Wash. St. and 23rd Ave.S. ext.
Mark Walker presented matter of appraisal report for property acquisition for this project in the amount of $7,950.00 from Freeberg and Uglem, and requested authorization to make offer to the property owners. Moved by Hafner and Hagness to approve property acquisition in the amount of $7,950.00. Motion carried.

3. Matter of bids for 1997 vehicle purchase.
Chuck Grotte, asst/dir. public works, reported that 5 bids had been received and presented tabulation of bids, and recom- mended award to Rydell Chevrolet for 3 pickups and Hansen Ford for 1 mid-size automobile. The committee reviewed bids.

It was moved by Hafner and seconded by Hagness to accept bids as follows:
Rydell Chevrolet:
a) Engineering Department for compact pickup with extended cab in
the amount of $14,296.00, less trade of $900, for net bid of $13,396.
b) Street Department for heavy-duty half ton pickup in the amount
of $14,888.00 less trade of $600, for net bid of $14,288.00.
c) Water Department for heavy-duty half ton pickup in the amount of $14,888.00 less $3,200.00 for net bid of $11,688.00.

Hansen Ford:
a) Water Department for mid-size automobile in the amount of $15,096.00 less trade of $2,000.00 for net bid of $13,096.00.
Motion carried.

4. Matter of negotiating engineering agreement for Surface Water
Treatment Rule Improvements, Phase II.
Held for additional information.

5. Matter of potassium permanganate resale from inventory (water
treatment plant).
Hazel Fetters-Sletten, supt. water treatment, reported that they have had potassium permanganate on inventory since 1989, originally intended for taste and odor control, but didn't work; have surplus inventory of about 30,000 lbs.; Feed-Rite Controls, Inc., chemical wholesaler, offered City $0.90/lb, City paid $1.15/lb. She stated that East Grand Forks still uses this chemical. Moved by Hafner and Hagness to declare as surplus and to offer for sale. Motion carried.

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6. Minnesota DNR filing fees for 1996.
This item handled administratively and Mrs. Sletten dis- tributed copies of report to the committee. She reported there is a flaw in their permit and the new Red River pump house which is on Minnesota side of the river will have to be permitted through Minnesota, so next year fees will include water they take from that pump house, about 80% of the water they treat will be permitted according to this process. Information only.

7. Matter of membrane treatment study - request to negotiate
contract.
Mrs. Sletten reported that in 1997 CIP budget they defined project to look at membrane processes for the City, have done several similar studies in the past to try to prepare themselves to meet future regulations (ie., chlorine dioxide, ozone, etc.) and what they have decided to go for in the current regulations was the chlorine chloramine disinfection treatment and that's what they have their current surface water treatment rule Phase I in progress for, and that will help them meet regulations. She stated there was a re-authorization of the Safe Drinking Water Act but that did not affect the surface water treatment rule and they are still looking at disinfection by-products in the enhanced surface water treatment rule, they are still pending and will regulate by-products that are disinfection scenarios, and will further refine the contact time and give them more assurance from micro---- contaminants. She stated that at this point in time they are looking at membranes and are at pivotal point; that in 1989 did exceed the plant capacity for over 24 hours (and then it rained); that since 1989 their average day has increased 1.2 mgd, been fortunate and had wet years and haven't had any odd/even sprinkling days, but if do have a dry year, going to be in problem situation as far as meeting our water needs. She stated that plant last expanded in 1984, and already in 1988 and 1989 were at plant capacity; that in January of 1995 Simplot added mgd to their demand. She stated that looking at past in a 20-year planning period, and reviewed usage summary going back to 1973 with average day compared to 1996 little over 1 mgd difference, so in that time have been doing conservation; that they are reducing chemical costs each year. She also reported that they do water audit, which is in Dwight Wurzbacher's area, and doesn't have figures for 1996, but in 1995 9% loss, and in 1994 14% (that has lot to do with water breaks). Mr. Vein stated that water losses well below national average. Mrs. Sletten reviewed additional info. re. peaking factor, and also average, max. and min. days for the year broken down by the month. She stated that there is definitely going to be a need for expansion (that we've had wet summers and not big demand in the summer, but now have Simplot going year round, so summer peak day hasn't happened because of the rainfall, but when it get's dry, will; not saying they need to expand now but expand in the future. She stated that the project they are proposing would address any
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January 27, 1997 - Page 3

change to treatment as well as expansion, when looking at that, lot of ground work that has to be done. Why now - part of it is for the master plan so know how to plan for the future; and another reason for doing now is that the work Advanced Eng. has done with Malcolm Prinie is that they are really looking at surface water and membranes and how they might apply to water. She stated that the uniqueness of our water will work in our favor, because they feel that if they can prove themselves in Grand Forks, they can prove themselves just about anywhere else because we have temperature extremes, water quality extremes, and surface water. She stated that Malcolm Prinie has some interest in our project and they would propose to provide equipment and bring some of their newer engineers here and observe and watch it. She stated that in every trade journal everywhere they are looking at membranes rather than ozones; membranes are way to mechanically remove contaminant instead of chemically treating it, chemically altering it and creating something new to take out in a later step, with membranes take it all out and add back what we need, and thinks it is a safer option to go into the future and gives more flexibility.

She stated she is asking to negotiate contracts for study and would like to bring contract back prior to council meeting to get started and take advantage of spring run-off; this is budgeted; and Advanced Engineering did pre-qualify and they would negotiate with their firm.

Moved by Hafner and Hagness to negotiate contract with Advanced Engineering for the study and to bring proposal back to committee. Motion carried. Committee only.

Mrs. Sletten stated they have consulting budget and would like to take advantage of a University student to get data in right format and have ready to present; that student would probably use University computer equipment, limited on site. Moved by Hafner and Hagness to approve request. Motion carried. Committee action only.

8. Plans and specs. and advertisement for bids for ion chroma-
tography equipment.
Mrs. Sletten reported she had included this item in the 1997 CIP budget, later became apparent they needed mixers at the 7mg tank and delayed this item; they did really well on chemicals and saved over $100,000. (She stated that the chemical savings is definitely due to diligence of the operators.) She stated this instrument measures charged particles, etc. and several ways it would be used: 1) put in on-line configuration so can get feedback on efficiency of treatment and use in river blending, dial in chemistry by blending the rivers at different percentages and help control costs; 2) fluoride - would have better handle on doses, eliminate over-feeds and have better control; 3) nitrate/
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nitrite levels in river and how migrating in the river (Fargo has gone on-line with a continuous discharge from their wastewater and also city of Moorhead - interested to see how moving down the river because affect infants under 6 months when mixing formula - that if river levels low enough and migration is slow enough it can concentrate and cause problems, and would want to know so could go to Red Lake River. She stated that City of Grand Forks going to be doing this also; that ice has impact, during summer nitrates and nitrites change to ammonia and dissipate, but when ice on the river there's a concentration - minor concern, haven't had problem to date, but when discharge changes, river will change.

Mrs. Sletten stated she is asking for authorization to spec. equipment and to bid, est. cost - range of $20,000 to $40,000 (depending on how automated).

Moved by Hafner and Hagness to authorize specs. and call for bids. Motion carried. (comm. only)

9. Matter of cost participation and maintenance agreements for:
a) Proj. 4531, street light modifications on DeMers Avenue
b) Proj. 4225.1, paving South Washington Street from Hammerling to 24th Avenue South.
Held until Monday, February 3, at 6:45 p.m.

11. Matter of plans and specifications:
a) Proj. 4468, Dist. 12, sidewalks in Landeco 2nd Resub.
b) Proj. 4612, Dist. 14, sidewalks in Garden View Estates.
c) Proj. 4593, Dist. 15, sidewalks in Sun Land West 1st Resub.
d) Proj. 4617, Dist. 16, sidewalks in Landeco Addn. and Wash.
Estates Resub.
e) Proj. 4562, Dist. 379, storm sewer on 11th Ave.S. (Duke Dr/34th St.)
f) Proj. 4575, 1997 ADA curb ramps.
g) Proj. 4576, watermain replacement.
Mark Walker, project engineer, presented plans and specifications for these projects, projects (a through e) were presented at last meeting and reviewed by Mr. Grasser. It was noted that f) ADA curb ramps on-going project which is budgeted each year (work primarily on classified street systems and those with highest volume of pedestrian usage).

Hafner and Hagness moved the following motion for each of the projects a) through e): that we pass a resolution approving the plans and specifications for this construction and further that the city auditor be directed to advertise for bids on the pro- ject. and for projects f) and g) to approve plans and specifi- cations and to authorize call for bids. Motion carried.


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e) The matter of easement and temporary construction easement for storm sewer Project No. 4560 along 11th Avenue South between South 36th Street and the English Coulee was presented; grantor, The United Hospital; for the sum of $1.00. It was moved by Hafner and Hagness to approve and that the proper City officials sign the easements. Motion carried.

12. Matter of creating special assessment districts:
a) Proj. 4537, Dist. 548, paving 15th Ave.S., 3700 block.

Mr. Walker presented copy of engineer's report and map for paving on 15th Avenue South, 3700 block, and letter from Michael Hart, Cameo Homes, Inc., developer, requesting that the project costs be special assessed and that utilities already installed (water and sewer) be accepted in lieu of up-front monies. Mr. Walker reported that the developer had also asked that he be allowed to install sidewalk in easement and if this were approved to make it contingent upon installation by July 15.

Moved by Hafner and Hagness that we adopt a resolution creating the assessment district, approving the engineer's report, including estimate of cost, an assessment district map, and further that we pass a resolution instructing the city engineer to prepare detailed plans and specifications; that installed underground utilities be accepted in lieu of up-front monies; that we declare intent to sell bonds to finance these improve- ments; and further that the developer be allowed to install sidewalk at his cost in the easement (lying between Lots 19 and 20, Block 1, Johnson's 2nd Addition) contingent upon installation by July 15. Motion carried.

10. Matter of southend drainway Phase II and III alternate
routing.
Mr. Walker presented map showing last route of drainway, and requested approval to begin negotiations for acquisition of land. Mark Lambrecht, CPS, presented short version of the revised South End Drainage Study, Phase II, preliminary design and concept report, giving logic behind the reason for considering splitting into two branches once drainage ditch gets west of S. Washington, and this is graphic of what see and typical cross sections of what ditch would look like as it goes through single-family and non-single family and commercial areas. (Mr. Grasser was given complete copy of the study). He stated that Mr. Grasser had requested that motion be considered to allow the beginning of landowner contacts to determine availability of property, to begin negotiations on property, with north branch considered first. (The north branch will drain two full sections, incl. area between 32nd Ave.S. and 47th Avenue S., and between I-29 and S. Wash. St. The south branch will drain area bounded by 47th Ave.S. and Legal Drain 4, and I-29 to S. Wash. St. - approx. 4 full sections.)

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Moved by Hafner and Hagness to authorize staff to begin negotiations for acquisition of the land for this routing. Motion carried.

13. Matter of purchase of additional salt and sand.
Mr. Grotte reported that the street department is getting to a point of running out of salt and sand and is requesting funding of $15,000 to $20,000 to purchase additional salt and sand. Moved by Hafner and Hagness that we authorize expenditure of funds from the Emergency Fund for purchase of additional salt and sand. Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned.

Alice Fontaine
City Clerk

Dated: 01/29/97