City Council Minutes 04-10-1995 SpecialMINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING - MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL
Monday, April 10, 199b - b:45 p.m.
Members Present: Brad Fyle, Shirley Anderson, Clint Herbst, Brian Stumpf, Tom
Perrault
Members Absent: None
2. Update on wastewater treatment plant biosolids site search.
Public Works Director John Simola reported that the City has been using
sludge from its wastewater treatment plant as a crop nutrient source
applied to farm land far many years, which continues to be the best and
highest use for sludge. Simola reviewed Manticello's history of sludge
application beginning in 1987 when PCA permits were first acquired on the
Robert Shierts property. These sites are still permitted today; however, the
City has less than 70 acres available. Because the needs for 1995 have
surpassed the amount of available land, the City needs to supplement those
sites with additional sites or alternative disposal methods.
Simola went on to note that in 1992, Council authorized staff and PSG to
pursue purchase or long-term lease of farm land within a reasonable
distance of Monticello. Since that time, staff and PSG have covered afive-
mile radius with state or county highway access. He noted the criteria for
selecting a site include land that is relatively level, soil with 6 inches or
more water holding capability above the seasonal high ground water table,
minimal or no wetlands, and a minimum of 120 acres. Several meetings
and discussions were held with Richard Holthaus regarding his property
along County Road 106 and Highway 25, but the City's first choice, which
met the criteria, was the Susan Hanaford property located at County Road
106 and Cahill Avenue. The Hanaford site was also reviewed by the PCA,
the Wright Water and Soil Conservation QfI"ice, and the Wright County
Planning and Zoning Office. All information received led staff to believe
this was a good site for sludge application.
In November 1994, an appraisal was received on the Hanaford property,
after which Council authorized staff to obtain an option agreement for
purchase and/or right of entry for soil testing of the site. At that time,
Council was also informed that the City does have eminent domain rights to
acquire the parcel if necessary. Simala reported that discussions were held
with Ms. Hanaford, and the City obtained right of entry for soil testing.
Meetings were also held with Jae Holthaus, who is currently farming the
site, at which staff stated they would like to enter into along-term lease on
the property but would consider purchasing the property and maintaining
Holthaus as the farmer. It was also Hated that although the City had
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eminent domain rights, this would be the City's last choice. At the
March ~7, 1995, Council meeting, Joe Holthaus requested that the
Hanaford site be removed from consideration, and the City also received a
letter from Susan Hanaford stating that she was not interested in selling
her property.
Councilmember Herbst noted that perhaps the City should pursue the
possibility of the Wright County compost facility being permitted to take
sludge. He noted that land could also be purchased for sludge application
in the event the compost facility is unable to take sludge in the future.
Joe Holthaus, the current farmer of the Hanaford property, stated that they
have farmed this land for 35 years and have just signed along-term lease.
Because root crops such as potatoes, peas, and string beans cannot be grown
on sludge-applied land and monitoring wells would have to be located on the
site, he stated he is not interested in having sludge applied to the site.
Residents living nearby the Hanaford site also noted their concerns
regarding the composition of the sludge, how long sludge can be applied if
the land is not farmed, the possibility of pollution entering the water table,
and odors emitted from the sludge. The Public Works Director noted that
sludge cannot be applied to land that is not being farmed, and six
monitoring wells would be installed on the site For nitrate testing. Kelsie
McGuire, PSG plant manager, stated that since most of the time the sludge
would be injected into the land, there shouldn't be much odor in the area.
Jerry Quaal, owner of Dan & Jerry's Greenhouse, stated that his land is
located across County Road 106, and every year water spills over 106 onto
his property and into his greenhouses. This would result in his craps being
flooded by sludge. After recently speaking with the PCA and the Health
Department, Quaal noted that they would be re-evaluating the site, as they
were not aware that water floods property across County Road 106.
City Attorney Paul Weingarden explained that when cities are searching far
a site to apply sludge, they must adhere to the criteria such as soil
composition, ease of access, topography, etc. He noted that if a site meeting
the criteria is found and the owner is unwilling to sell, the law allows the
City the right of condemnation in order to acquire needed land; however, if
it would negatively affect adjacent property, the City wouldn't want to do it.
He also noted that the PCA probably wouldn't permit a site if they knew
other properties would be flooded in the process.
Public Works Director Simola noted that if the Hanaford site does not work
out, staff will look for another one, and a public hearing would be held
before the PCA issues a permit on any site.
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Simola then requested that Council create a subcommittee to work together
with the Township on this issue. Mayor Fyle and Councilmember Perrault
volunteered to join the subcommittee. Mayor Fyle also noted that all
concerns mentioned at this meeting will be forwarded to the PCA for their
review.
3. Consideration of wastewater treatment lent ex ansion and review of
tarojections for community growth.
Due to time constraints, this item was added to the agenda of the regular
meeting scheduled far 7 p.m.
There being no further discussion, the special meeting was adjourned.
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Kare Doty
Office Manager
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