City Council Minutes 01-27-2014 SpecialMINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING — MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL
Monday, January 27, 2014 — 6:00 p.m.
Mississippi Room, Monticello Community Center
Present: Lloyd Hilgart, Tom Perrault, Glen Posusta, Acting Mayor Brian Stumpf
Absent: Clint Herbst
Others: Jeff O'Neill, Bret Weiss /Shibani Bisson/Tom Roushar (WSB), Chuck Keyes
(Veolia Water), Lane Stewart (Automatic Systems)
1. Call to Order
Acting Mayor Brian Stumpf called the special meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.
2. Purpose of Meeting: Discussion of Wastewater Treatment Facility Phosphorus
Removal Facility Plan Amendment and project updates
Shibani Bisson introduced this item and referenced the information on a handout
provided to Council in advance.
• Wastewater Treatment Facility Computer Upgrade
Shibani Bisson explained that this item is on the council agenda for the regular
meeting tonight and includes replacement of three computer workstations and
upgrades to the SCADA control systems. The software updates will apply to the
control software. Brian Stumpf asked if this includes training. Chuck Keyes
explained that there should be some training on the changes to the software.
Lane Stewart of Automatic Systems talked about the three components of the
upgrade and how that will tie together the existing control system and new
upgrades to the Wastewater Treatment Facility.
Tom Perrault asked about the paragraph involving the computers and wondered if
there might be some change orders. Lane explained that there would be no
change orders; he was simply allowing flexibility to utilize the best technology
available for their needs at the time of purchase. He also noted that one of the
workstations is in their shop and they are holding off on repairs, contingent on
approval of this agenda item. Tom Perrault also asked about some of the
language in the terms and conditions regarding repairs and delivery. Chuck
Keyes commented that they have never had an incident of the type referenced.
Bret Weiss noted that these are typical terms and conditions and incorporate
conditions that generally do not apply to a project of this scope.
• Phosphorus Reduction Facility Plan Amendment
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Shibani Bisson provided an update on this item. The Minnesota Pollution Control
Agency (PCA) has new requirements for phosphorus reduction which was
discussed previously at a council meeting. Council gave approval for city staff to
review the new requirements in order to submit an amended facility plan to the
PCA by March V, 2014. Tom Roushar of WSB provided information on
reducing effluent phosphorus. He explained that there are two ways, biological or
chemical, to reduce phosphorus and briefly talked about those processes. Glen
Posusta asked why the city has to do this now after they have spent a lot of time
and money updating the plant. Bret Weiss stated that this would not change
anything that the city has already done. The state has never implemented a
phosphorus limit previously. The work that the city is doing would have had to be
done no matter when the city would have addressed the issue in order to maintain
their NPDES permit. Bret Weiss noted that Roushar has been in contact with the
manufacturer of the screwpress equipment to find the most efficient way of
managing the phosphorus levels. Bret Weiss stated that they would eventually
look at ways to fund the cost through user fees.
There was some discussion about funding sources for future implementation
costs. Tom Roushar talked about a loan through the public facilities state loan
program which may be available at an interest rate about 1.5 %. Glen Posusta
stated that he wasn't sure he would favor that choice in case the state would
change their mind about the phosphorus reduction levels. Chuck Keyes explained
that the city still has to comply with the NPDES permit requirements and those
standards are not likely to change. Bret Weiss explained that the facility plan
would be set up to be flexible enough to accommodate changes by the State.
• Sludge Dewatering Facility Update
Tom Roushar updated council on the sludge dewatering improvements including
the screw press installation, which was made operational at the beginning of
January. Huber, the company that did the installation, has been working with
plant staff on making sure everything is working the way it was intended. There
is some finishing and site work to be completed. Biosolids are now being hauled
to a landfill rather than having to spread the sludge. Glen Posusta asked about
creating a class A product. Bret Weiss explained that is the eventual goal but not
sure that would necessarily be done at this plant as that would greatly increase the
volume of biosolids output. Chuck Keyes noted that they recently received a
letter from the Vonco II landfill site that they would not be able to accept product
after a certain date. The city contacted them and will be able to utilize the landfill
through the end of the contract (in April). Chuck Keyes is in the process of
identifying a new site to accept the biosolids. Chuck Keyes reported that they are
close to the biosolids output that they anticipated originally. Bret Weiss noted
that both Big Lake and Buffalo have biosolids dryers and he is continuing to
consider that as an option. However, at the time this was first discussed with
those entities, the cost was prohibitive.
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• Aeration Blower Installation Update
Torn Roushar summarized the process, which started in September 2013, when
they took bids and awarded a contract. They have been working on the shop
drawings which he anticipates to be finished before long. The aeration blower
will then be constructed according to those drawings. The city will need to
advertise for bids for installation of the aeration blower. He is looking at a
timeline for completion in September 2014. Chuck Keyes explained that this will
greatly enhance the processing of the biosolids once the new blower is installed.
• Potential Phase 2 Improvements
Bret Weiss commented that the phosphorus improvements plan will be brought to
Council once the facility plan is put together.
Lloyd Hilgart asked about costs for the phosphorus removal and to comment on other
communities that are dealing with this. Tom Roushar feels the costs will be mainly
for the biological or chemical products that will need to be purchased. He stated that
it is about a 50150 mix of biological and chemical solutions to achieve the proper
phosphorus levels in communities that are addressing phosphorous levels. Bret Weiss
asked how much they expect costs to increase in the coming years. Tom Roushar
said they don't expect any increases until 2018 when the new rules go into place.
Glen Posusta asked about the odors near the Wastewater Treatment Facility and
where they are coming from. Chuck Keyes explained that the odors are produced
from the digester and there are some repairs that will be necessary in the future.
3. Adjournment
GLEN POSUSTA MOVED TO ADJOURN THE SPECIAL MEETING AT 6:54 P.M.
TOM PERRAULT SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 4 -0.
Recorder: Catherine M. Shuman_C,#J,,
Approved: February 10, 2014
Attest:
inistrator
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