Committee Minutes

MINUTES/PUBLIC SERVICE COMMITTEE
Monday, August 11, 1997 - 7:00 p.m.

Members present: Hagness, Hafner, Klave.

1. Application from Carl Lizakowski for moving permit to move
garage from 1919 8th Ave.N. to 1909 8th Ave.N.
Chairman Hagness stated that this building moved off foundation but not on site. Moved by Hafner and Klave to allow the application contingent upon meeting all City Codes. Motion carried.

2. Matter of bids for traffic paint.
Held (being rebid).

3. Matter of public education for storm water control.
Mike Shea, Environmental Coordinator, reported that the EERC has requested assistance in establishing a storm drain stenciling program (on storm water catch basins) as part of an educational program to prevent a major and preventable source of water pollution through the practice of disposing of wastes directly or indirectly into storm drains. He stated that EERC would use volunteers for the project and were asking for $200 to help buy paint, etc.; they are also going to be requesting funding from the State who has money for this type of program and would like to request funding from the State on behalf of the City, that City would get money and could use for that program. He noted that this is test project, and that this project been done in Fargo and Bismarck.

Mr. Shea reported that on November 25 of this year storm water regulations will be out and what they are proposing to do is work through State Health Department who will have control of this program and they will permit the City of Grand Forks, and rather than putting numerical limits for different contaminants, will write permit such that the City would provide public education and outreach (ie., which is what doing with EERC), public participation and involvement, illicit connection and discharge detection and elimination, construction site storm water discharge control, etc.

Klave expressed some concern re. timing of the project; Mr. Shea stated that there would be information distributed in area of the project and will publicize. Mr. Shea stated that once City gets permit from the State will have to put money into the program.
Mr. Vein stated that benefit much greater than the cost.

It was moved by Hafner and Klave to authorize funding in the amount of $200.00 for the project. Motion carried. (Comm. only).
4. Matter of composting study.
Jim West, KBM, Inc. was present. Chuck Grotte, Asst. Dir. of Public Works, reported that little over year ago the City approved concept of doing composting study in the amount of approx. $500,000 as part of our wastewater treatment facility project, to do study MINUTES/PUBLIC SERVICE COMMITTEE
August 11, 1997 - Page 2

to see if sludge resulting from the wastewater facility could be combined with municipal solid waste garbage to see if it has some useful purpose, and is alternative method of disposal of sludge rather than trying to find farmer willing to dump on his field, and about year ago in theory agreed to pursue that along with the wastewater treatment facility, requested funding through the State Revolving Loan at 3.5% interest for 20 years so funding for this study included in that loan, have come to agreement with KBM for $524,299, and in addition a $5,700 grant from the Dist. IV Solid Waste Mgmt. Board, for a grand total of $529,999, is basically a two-year study where KBM, working in conjunction with EDT will make compost, test it to see if have some commercial application in the agricultural sector, the contract has three components: 1) setting up equipment, 2) running facility for 110 days year for two years and 3) testing, analyzing and research on what can do with the product. He stated they were recommending approval pending further review and review of the city attorney.

Committee questioned whether there was any promise of success; Mr. Grotte reported this has been done other places and can work, and part of the study involves distributing special containers to households where they would separate their organic material from other garbage, that would be collected and put into compost. Mr. West stated that part of this that's never been integrated is going to agricultural sector and trying to get value out of the product; that they have talked with NDSU and they will enter into agreement to do this and test in field and labs.

Mr. Grotte stated that cost of study would be paid out of State Revolving Loan Fund which would be repaid through wastewater rates.

Committee questioned timing of the project; Mr. Grotte stated that if this doesn't develop into method of sludge disposal, would have to come up with something else and other alternatives aren't very good. He stated that presently don't do anything with it, stir around in lagoon every few years, this would be new by-product of wastewater treatment plant. Mr. West stated that the City has already increased rates to begin to pay for a wastewater treatment plant, which this is incorporated into.

Mr. Vein stated that they have made commitment to change treatment process and to make it into profitable resource vs. dumping into landfill so have choice of dumping into landfill or make useable resource. He stated that this is pilot study to evaluate process and has been discussed over past two years, important part of determining best alternative solution. Mr. Grotte stated that they may not be able to dump into landfill, that dumping sludge in ND not as easy as it might sound. Mr. Shea stated that if don't compost have to put in some type of anaerobic digester; that doesn't think want to put into landfill will have some type of methane gathering; has to be treated before putting into landfill.

MINUTES/PUBLIC SERVICE COMMITTEE
August 11, 1997 - Page 3

Mr. West stated this is nutrient recovery system, would be taking organic material and putting with waste material from waste treatment system and recycling back into ag. sector; that cost would be recovered as part of bigger project, material worth up to $20/ton, helps ag. sector and return revenue back to the City; State Health Department in favor of this scenario, feels has value. It was noted that funds dedicated to this project, total project $13.1 million with $0.5 million specified for the study.

After further discussion re. timeliness of project, areas for the study, etc. it was moved by Klave and Hafner to approve funding and proceed with the study. Motion carried; Hagness voted no.

5. Matter of engineering services agreements:
a) Proj. 4332, upgrade lift station #7, amendment for addi-
tional design and construction phase services.
Keith Johnson, Asst. City Engineer, reviewed amendment to the engineering services agreement for increase in the design/bidding phase in the amount of $1,381.35 (added retaining wall to scope), and balance of change order is $18,060 for construction phase; and recommended approval. Moved by Hafner and Klave to approve the amendments as noted. Motion carried.

b) Proj. 4624, forcemain valve replacement, amendment for
additional design and construction phase services.
Mr. Johnson reviewed amendment to the agreement for increase in design/bidding phase in the amount of $1,454.50 (flood delay resulted in re-advertising and resulted in over-run and balance of change order for construction and operational phase services in the amount of $l6,046.00; that this is valve replacement project on S. Washington St. and 17th Avenue S. Moved by Hafner and Klave to approve the amendment as noted. Motion carried.

c) Proj. 4591, upgrade lift station #29, amendment for con-
struction and operations phase.
Mr. Johnson reviewed amendment to the agreement for this project increase in construction and operational phase services in the amount of $16,822.00. He reported they had received letter from one of the contractors, John's Electric, asking to withdraw from contract because of delays but hasn't had chance to talk with the city attorney. Moved by Klave and Hafner to approve the amendment as noted. Motion carried.

d) Proj. 4671, upgrade lift station #21, contract for design
and bidding phase.
Mr. Johnson stated this is new contract for design and bidding phase in the amount of $21,184.00, that several weeks ago Gary Goetz had requested to change budgeted amount and transfer activity from L.S. #5 (St. Anne's) to L.S. #21 (24th Ave.S. and S. 20th St.), project in range of $230-250,000. Committee questioned consulting engineering fee which is approx. 10%, Mr. Vein stated MINUTES/PUBLIC SERVICE COMMITTEE
August 12, 1997 - Page 4

this was reasonable fee for remodeling project. Moved by Klave and Hafner to authorize proper City officials to enter into agreement with Webster, Foster & Weston/Consulting Engineers in the amount of $21,184.00. Motion carried.

6. Change order for Proj. 4438, upgrade lift station #17.
Mr. Johnson reviewed change order in the amount of $6,005.00 to provide and install changes to the air release system and for floor slope correction; that this is master lift on North Washington and Bacon Road. Moved by Hafner and Klave to approve the change order.
Motion carried.

7. Matter of easement for Projs. 4625 and 4626, sanitary sewer
and watermain to Longview Fibre Company. (with power to act)
Ray LeClerc, Acting City Planner, reported that this item had been referred to the attorney for further review of the conditions and that has been done and documents drafted. He noted that Mr. Bateman is satisfied with the documents. It was noted that there are seventeen conditions (easement and crop damage, $10,000, violation of easement, $1,000, and $50,000 deposit in escrow account). Committee questioned whether this was setting bad precedent; and that in future projects, want easements looked at first and if can't reach reasonable final agreement look for land elsewhere.

Moved by Klave and Hafner to approve easements and authorize proper City officials to sign the easements. Motion carried. (Comm. only/with power to act)

8. Plans and specifications for various projects:
a) Proj. 4660, Dist. 552, paving Johnson's 4th Addn.
Mark Lambrecht, CPS, Ltd., reviewed plans for paving which won't occur until next spring, will get utilities installed this fall, this extends 11th Avenue South from existing pavement to 40th Street and continues south to 17th Avenue South, jogs over and 38th Street, and ties westerly edge of Johnson's Addn. Mr. Lambrecht reported this is 100% special assessment project and using letter of credit for upfront money. There was some discussion re. ex-tending 11th to S. 42nd Street. Moved by Klave and Hafner 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 project. Motion carried.

9. Matter of consideration of construction bids:
a) Proj. 4619, Dist. 383, san. sewer on N. 55th St.
Mark Walker, Proj. Engineer, reported these bids held from last meeting, don't have necessary easements but can serve this property from the south and recommended termination of the project. Moved by Klave and Hafner that we terminate the project and reject the bids. Motion carried.


MINUTES/PUBLIC SERVICE COMMITTEE
August 11, 1997 - Page 5

b) Proj. 4557, Dist. 551, paving Rivers Edge
Mr. Walker reviewed tabulation of bids received and recommended award to the low bidder, Opp Construction; project costs will be special assessed. Moved by Klave and Hafner that we accept the low bid of Opp Construction in the amount of $399,782.00. Motion carried.

c) Proj. 4657, Dist. 388, sanitary sewer Johnson's 4th
Mr. Walker reviewed tabulation of bids received and recommended award to the low bidder. (It was noted that the developer had offered letter of credit for upfront monies.) Moved by Klave and Hafner that we accept the low bid of Molstad Excavating, Inc. in the amount of $223,628.00. Motion carried.

d) Matter of casting quotes.
Mr. Walker reviewed casting quotes, Fargo Water Equipment low bidder, and cost would be paid out of Highway Users. Moved by Klave and Hafner to accept the quote of Fargo Water Equipment in the amount of $14,249.10. Motion carried.

10. Matter of creating special assessment districts:
a) Proj. 4682, Dist. 390, san. sewer on 24th Ave.S. (40th to
42nd St.)
b) Proj. 4683, Dist. 257, watermain on 24th Ave.S. (40th to
42nd St.)
Mr. Walker reported that they have been requested by Valley Memorial Homes to install utilities this year, will be offering letter of credit as method of payment for upfront monies. Moved by Hafner and Klave 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, and that we declare intent to sell bonds to finance these improvements, and further that upfront monies be required. Motion carried. (Note: this motion made for each of the projects)

11. Matter of status of various projects.
Mr. Walker reported that goal for North Congressional Resub. (Univ. High Tech) and South Congressional Resub. (Sun Land West) was to get 200 lots ready by fall, and reviewed project schedule: that they took plans and specs. for underground utilities to Flood Response and that was approved and has been advertised; that on the 20th will be bring plans for paving to Flood Response and then bringing bids to Public Service for underground and then on the 8th for the paving. Info. only.

12. Matter of lift stations for future development areas.
Mr. Walker presented map showing Section 20 where Stauss building apartments, that City wants to build lift station in property purchased from Park District, and forcemain and gravity
MINUTES/PUBLIC SERVICE COMMITTEE
August 11, 1997 - Page 6

sewer, will be bringing in plans and specs. for lift station
and forcemain, and later bringing in plans for gravity sewer which is not a special assessment project. He noted that there is one lift station budgeted.

Mr. Vein stated that Crary is wanting to develop in their area, would like to see him move farther to the west, that lift station will require 3+ mi. of forcemain plus new station and opens up area that stretches along river in an area that could have flood problems, from development standpoint need to push farther west; will know more in next days/weeks what's going to happen for housing redevelopment, that the Housing Subcommittee is proposing housing in that area also, trying to work closely with comm. and could possibly have both lift stations going at the same time, will know more later this week.

13. Matter of compost study.
Mr. Vein stated he would like to go back to the consideration for compost study, that he would ask that they hold that in committee because difficult for council to make educated decision because of complexity of issue and without firm commitment from the committee, and that he doesn't see alternatives. Committee held the matter for more information.

Moved by Hafner and Klave to adjourn; meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

Alice Fontaine
City Clerk

Dated: 8/12/97