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MINUTES/PUBLIC SERVICE COMMITTEE
Monday, November 29, 1993 - 7:00 p.m.

Members present: Beach, Beyer, Glassheim.

1. Matter of Food Co-Op request to place an off-premises sign
at N. Washington Street and 9th Avenue North.
Ken Vein, city engineer, stated that under regulations in the Code they have no ability to waive or give variance. He expressed concern that if this request granted, would open up to others. He stated he had discussed with John Larson, and would have authority to put on premise. Betsy Perkins, mgr. of Grand Forks Food Co-Op, stated they had temporary permit from the City for sign across street, granted in 1986 for two years.

Mr. Vein recommended they visit with city attorney to find out under what circumstances temporary permit issued. Held in committee.

2. Matter of delay in bidding City Project No. 4056, chlorine
scrubber at water plant.
Mark Lambrecht, asst. director of public works, and Hazel Fetters-Sletten, water plant superintendent, reported that Advanced Engineering drew plans and specifications, but while vendors and contractors going over bid specifications, brought up matter of new technology being tested, and in light of that would recommend delay in the bidding of the project. They reported there is $200,000 budgeted in 1993, that they talked with auditor and will do budget amendment, monies would not be expended in 1993 (they can't encumber funds because not under contract). Moved by Beyer and Glassheim that we put an indefinite bid date on this project. Motion carried. (committee only)

3. Discussion of Safe Drinking Water Act re-authorization.
Hazel Fetters-Sletten stated she has had some correspondence on the re-authorization legislation, that she brought to the Utility Rate Comm. and was directed to draft letter (through mayor's office and Barb Rohde's office), and brought to committee for their information and input. The committee noted that all legislation is at federal level. Moved by Glassheim and Beyer that we recommend transmittal of this letter to the appropriate people in Congress. Motion carried.

4. Matter of Ozone Pilot Study at water plant.
Mrs. Fetters-Sletten reported she has been contacted by vendors interested in doing pilot-scale testing program for ozone disinfection at the water plant. She stated she feels this is worth investigating, that we have unique water and that's why firms are interested. She also stated that water tested wouldn't go into the system. She presented proposal to use UND student to collect data, prepare report, etc. and would like to fund out of 1993 budget in consultant's area; project cost to City $13,756 for salary, etc. for period January to December of 1994. Moved by Glassheim and Beyer that we approve participation in the pilot

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November 29, 1993 - Page 2

program and expenditure of funds in 1993 budget. Motion carried.

5. Budget transfers.
a) Water Treatment Plant - $3,000.
Mrs. Fetters-Sletten reviewed transfer request to cover budget shortfall of maintenance repairs on installed equipment. Moved by Glassheim and Beyer that the transfer be approved. Motion carried. (comm. only)

b) Wastewater Department - $390.00
Gary Goetz reported they had to send pump to Minneapolis to be rebuilt (pump still under warranty). Moved by Glassheim and Beyer that the transfer be approved. Motion carried. (comm. only)

c) Engineering Department - $9,800.00
Al Grasser reported transfer of funds from Salaries-Perm. to Salaries-Temp. is needed as they are overdrawn on part-time budget; and also to cover part-time person hired to cover duties of mechanical inspector, who is on maternity leave. Moved by Glassheim and Beyer that the transfer be approved. Motion carried.
6. Matter of development of a treatment model for blended Red
River and Red Lake River waters project.
Hazel Fetters-Sletten presented proposal for project for development of a treatment model for blended Red River and Red Lake River waters for period January to December, 1994 at a cost of $6,062 for personnel to work the project (UND graduate student); that study would evaluate river sources and chemistries to predict least expensive treatment. She stated this is information only and she will bring matter back in January for funding. It was noted that City would get benefit of expertise of faculty member working with graduate student. Information only.

7. Matter of compliance with industrial pre-treatment program by
RDO Foods.
Ken Vein reported that Keith Johnson, Gary Goetz and Mike Shea work with and oversee industrial pre-treatment program (City monitors suspended solids, ph's, and BOD's); that RDO has made various modifications and is working to comply with requirements but haven't been able to attain maximum levels and come into compliance by the December 15, 1993 deadline; that City is enforcement agency and that if City doesn't take some action by deadline, looking at EPA stepping in at next audit. He stated their recommendation is to follow through with items listed in letter from Mike Shea (move the sample site to the manhole outside lift station #23, increase sampling to a weekly 24-hour composite until compliance, and state the fine for future non-compliance); and revising our ordinance to set up schedule for fine or surcharge for non-compliance. He stated that enforcement is primary target of EPA, and we want to make sure we have done everything we can - this is to our benefit and also RDO Foods' benefit.

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Dave Larson, general manager of RDO Foods, reported that with equipment recommended by Honeywell they should be able to drop BOD's below compliance level; and to put in lime mixture to bring ph levels within compliance; that they have spent in excess of $400,000 in trying to get within compliance; that only thing not in compliance with on the 15th is BOD's.

Mr. Vein stated that won't pre-empt EPA from coming in; that City is going to have to change ordinance to allow levying of fine. It was noted that if City doesn't address, become accomplice.

There was some discussion relative to moving of sampling site by RDO Foods, to make sure both City and RDO Foods sampling same effluent. Mr. Larson stated that moving site not going to solve problem, would incur more cost; that they would like to work with City longer and find out if another infiltration into that line.
Steve Kolar, water plant employee, explained City's procedure for sampling; that sampling different from their plant and City's sampling site. Mr. Larson stated that if they have to build new metering house down the road, will do so, but received letter week ago Tuesday, impossible to do, but if can continue at present until spring and work in timely manner.

Moved by Glassheim and Beyer that we instruct city engineer to issue such administrative orders as necessary to move RDO Foods into compliance as quickly as possible. Motion carried.

Moved by Glassheim and Beyer to introduce ordinance to give city council ability to levy administrative fines against industries that are not in compliance with industrial pre-treatment permits. Motion carried.

8. Review of proposed 1994 informational brochure for sanitation
department.
Dick Newman, solid waste mgr., reported that they had hired individual to put brochure together after study was done, route adjustments, etc.; and reviewed brochure with the committee. Information only.

9. Matter of status of letter of map amendment to the English
Coulee Floodplain.
Al Grasser reported City started process to protect English Coulee area of city; dam and diversion channel constructed, about year ago hired CPS, Ltd. to do map revision to remove those areas from the 100-year floodplain; and that they have been waiting for information from State Water Commission. Dean Wieland, CPS, Ltd., reported that city map was done by spring, but ran into problem with State Water Commission re. diversion channel which was not constructed to FEMA guidelines at that time; now they are saying it has to meet these guidelines, channel can't work as a dike; they are working with State Water Commission for them to certify that it MINUTES/PUBLIC SERVICE COMMITTEE
November 29, 1993 - Page 4

will meet FEMA requirements, that they are close to getting this done, and when that certification received, will send that information to FEMA; should have sometime in December. Mr. Vein stated that with diversion system City has protection, but residents still paying flood insurance. It was noted there are over 100 residents affected, and with potential developed area, 200 houses. Information only.

10. Matter of approving quotes for:
a) Project 4168, clay cover material for landfill.
Mr. Grasser reported this project will be held and will be done next spring.

b) Project 4172, 1993 berm repair.
Mr. Grasser reported that berms have settled in watermain break repair areas, repair work will be done next spring (haul in black dirt and re-sod), but would like to obtain quotes for December 27 bid opening, est. cost less than $10,000. Moved by Beyer and Glassheim to authorize engineering staff to obtain quotes for berm repair, with bid opening of December 27. Motion carried. (committee only)

11. Matter of approving plans and specifications for Project 4061,
Leachate Collection Phase II.
Mr. Grasser reviewed plans with the committee, and reported that last year they did Phase I, Phase II continuation of project, which will be done in three phases, est. cost $120,000 which is budgeted in landfill budget. Moved by Beyer and Glassheim to approve plans and specifications and authorize call for bids with January 10 bid opening date. Motion carried.

12. Matter of consideration of quotes for emergency electrical
services.
Mr. Grasser presented tabulation of bids received, Ron's Electric low bidder, and they would recommend award to Ron's Electric, that this is one year contract with option to extend for an additional one year period. Moved by Glassheim and Beyer to accept the quote of Ron's Electric, Inc. in the amount of $13,160.00, contract for one-year period with option to extend for a one-year period. Motion carried.

13. Matter of change order No. 3, Project 3793, DeMers Avenue bike-
path.
Mr. Grasser reviewed change order for clean up of sod areas vandalized, repair of chain link fence, hardwood chips for mulch, and privacy slats in the amount of $2,472.63; City's share $135.00 non-participating and 20% of other items or $602.52) Moved by Glassheim and Beyer to approve the change order in the amount of $2,472.63. Motion carried.

14. Matter of snow removal policy.

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November 29, 1993 - Page 5

Gary Fish, supt. of streets, reported they have been getting lot of complaints re. snow removal and blocking driveways, and reviewed City's policy to open driveways when widening streets. Information only.

15. Matter of funding for Richard's West storm sewer project.
Mr. Grasser reported that he had talked with John O'Leary, who assisted in obtaining additional flood funds - with $860,000 applied to Richard's West storm sewer project and are pursuing additional funding from Economic Development, and that there is delay in bidding until getting funding straightened out. Info. only.

16. Matter of reimbursement for flood expenses.
Al Grasser reported they have received check from FEMA for almost $30,000 for 90% portion of flood fight expenses; that money coming back into budget; and they can apply for additional 5% from State next year. Info. only.

17. Schedule public meeting re. 6th Ave.N. reconstruction project.
Tom Hanson, WFW, reported on 6th Avenue North reconstruction project; that they need to set date for first public input meeting, and they would send notices to residents in the area. He noted that this is not the legal public hearing but would present project, alternates, etc., incl. Columbia Road connection and where cross English Coulee. The committee scheduled hearing for December 13 at public service committee meeting (first item on the agenda).
18. Matter of traffic signals, etc.
Ken Vein reported that the traffic signal light at 34th and 17th (overhead bars) has been moved to 32nd and S. 10th Street crosswalk.

He also reported that signals were to go up at 32nd and S. 20th Street last week. Info. only.

Meeting adjourned.

Alice Fontaine
City Clerk

Dated: 11/30/93.