--- date: "2007-04-11" title: "Council Meeting Minutes 2007-04-11" source: "2007-04-11-minutes-council-monthly.pdf" --- CITY COUNCIL MEETING April 11, 2007 Attended: Stan Horrell, Mayor Frank Primozic, Councilor Bill Harrington, Councilor Pam Woodworth, Councilor Roger McKinley, Councilor Tom McAuslan, Councilor Don Strong, Councilor Jim Wood, Police Department Bob Titus, Public Works Brad Baird, Anderson Perry Gary Burnett, DHS Joe Boyer Melanie DeJong Adrian Albrich, CIS Steve Close Scott & MaryEllen Nunns Mayor Horrell called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Roll call was called, all members being present. The pledge of allegiance was recited. The minutes of the March 28, 2007 meeting were considered. It was noted that Tom McAuslan was absent at the meeting of the 28th. MSP: To approve the March 28 minutes as amended, Bill Harrington/Pam Woodworth. The Council recognized Brad Baird of Anderson Perry and Associates who addressed them regarding the wells and the water system improvements funding package. Baird gave the Council handouts and summarized the original project and budget. The original project which included sand filtration and at least one additional well was estimated at $2.3 million. The City has been approved for a SDWRLF loan in the amount of $1.7 million and is required to contribute $596,000. He estimated the cost to continue to develop wells at $824,000 and stated that the figure may be low because he had not included costs for a bridge. He also noted a typographic in the last sentence on the first page; should be $232,000 instead of $292,000 already spent for well exploration. When adding the $232,000 and the $824,000 he noted that the City will be paying an estimated $1,056,000 to develop the wells. With regard to the sand filtration system, Baird said the City has expended approximately $210,000 on design. If the City were to proceed with sand filtration, the cost would be close to the same as for wells and the City should decide which way to proceed. With regard to the extremely high iron and manganese levels, he stated that typical treatment methods would not be sufficient. It was noted that the samples were not taken under pumping conditions however, and that re-testing may produce lower levels. In the case of treatment, the City would need to have year round access to the site and Baird expressed a concern that access Minutes April 11, 2007 will be challenging to design. From what he had seen when visiting the area, he estimated a huge amount of earthwork and rock will be needed and could cost upwards of $100,000. He also indicated there could be issues with disposal of backwash that is a product of the treatment process. Regulatory agencies will be concerned with high iron concentrations seeping back into groundwater if a pond system is used. He said the other alternative would be to send it through the wastewater system. Baird said he wanted to make sure the Council is aware he is not promoting either one of the options over the other (sand filtration or wells) but is just making sure they are aware of what has been done so far and what the options and challenges are with each. Because the City is under order to treat the gallery water, they will have to discontinue use of it if they choose to utilize the wells alone. He stated that losing water rights has not been a problem for municipalities in the past, however, things are changing and the City will have to develop a plan for use within five years or lose the right. Baird said he had been in contact with the funding agency (OECDD) and that they have not received any information from the City regarding the revised scope of the project; i.e, that the City is pursuing wells instead of sand filtration. They have indicated that a revised scope and budget plan must be submitted before they will provide any more funding. He did not think the funding is in jeopardy, just that they do not know what the City is planning to do. Baird also advised that an environmental report will have to be re-done as well and will take additional time. Baird said the City must decide which way to go and was not offering and pros or cons, only cost estimates to analyze the impacts. He did advise the City not do another thing on wells until the landowner agreements are in writing and approved. He also stressed the importance of getting the re-testing done immediately in order to determine the level of treatment needed. The Council recognized Gary Burnett of the DHS who said he had also talked with OECDD and that a large amount of paperwork is going to be involved to get back on track. He said he had received the City’s request for another extension of time to complete the project and that it is still an issue until approved. The violation is the longest standing case in the history of the EPA, and although they have not yet interfered or imposed fines, the City must keep moving forward. 6:55 The Council recognized Joe Boyer who asked them to consider writing a letter of support in his efforts to establish a Community Dispute Resolution Center in Grant County. He stated that he and another individual, Christie Waldner, are applying for grant funding and need support letters from the community to submit with the request. There was general discussion about the services that would be offered and the benefits of having people solve their problems without involving law enforcement or the courts. Bill Harrington was very supportive and cited that agreed upon mediation is very effective because it is an agreement between the parties involved. MSP: To write a letter in support of the grant request, Bill Harrington/Frank Primozic. The City Recorder was asked to write the letter. Planning: no report Minutes April 11, 2007 7:10 Public Safety: Officer Wood recapped the Police, Fire and Ambulance logs. He said the pump test tank had been installed at the industrial site. He also said he had talked with Dave Malkin regarding the Best Practices Survey from CIS and that he should have a recommendation by the 20th. He addressed Pam Woodworth regarding a question on one of his payables at the last meeting (in which he was not in attendance.) She said she didn’t question the spending, just that she didn’t know what it (Power Point) was. He asked the Council to please talk to him if they have questions regarding his purchases as he does not clear them with the Recorder. Steve Close addressed the Council and commented that no one on the Council would or could do Jim’s job and that they should be grateful for his work. He said the Council should get involved and try to understand what he wants and why before voting. He also said the City is ripe for being ripped off and that we are not living in a protected cocoon. He said the lack of officers leaves us open for problems and the Council should ask before denying the department any purchases. Bill Harrington addressed Close and said the Council realizes there are issues pertaining to the Police Department that need attention and that they are attempting to deal with them. Landfill: Bob Titus said he had not been to the landfill in 2 ½ weeks because he had been on vacation. Public Works: There was discussion of the water and sewer hookup the public works crew had been installing. Titus said the next time that extensive of a dig is required the City should consider using an excavator. It was noted that the City should make sure it is collecting enough when estimating the cost for the hookups. Titus asked the Council if they want extra bentonite hauled in and stored for future repairs to the wastewater lagoons. He said it can be stored underground in a pit and does not deteriorate, however he did not know the cost of the product. The Recorder reminded the Council that the project is already over budget and that there are no funds available for purchasing additional amounts. She also said the City has not yet received a change order for the project as specified at the time of awarding the bid. Titus said he would get the change order from the engineer. No decision was made regarding the acquisition pf additional bentonite. Accounts Payable: MSP: To approve the payables, Tom McAuslan/Roger McKinley. Committee Reports: none Other Business: The Council was asked to appoint Dawn Gray to the Budget Committee. MSP: To appoint Dawn Gray to the Budget Committee, Roger McKinley/Tom McAuslan. Abatement: The Council recognized Scott Nunns who addressed them regarding a written complaint he had submitted to the City. He recapped the issues he has had over noise and health aspects of the neighbors’ chickens getting into his yard. He said he has talked with the neighbor but cannot get any cooperation. Nunns also noted that he had contacted the health department and referred to a letter from them regarding the issues. Nunns asked the City to enforce their nuisance ordinance which covers the listed complaints including trash on the property. Officer Minutes April 11, 2007 Wood said he has given warnings and can write a ticket. The Council agreed that it would be more expeditious to issue a citation than to go through the lengthy abatement process. MSP: To issue a citiation and see if they comply, Tom McAuslan/Bill Harrington. The Mayor suggested forming an abatement committee, however no one was appointed at this time. 8:10 p.m. The Mayor recognized Adrian Albrich who introduced himself as the City’s Risk Management Consultant from City County Insurance. It was explained that CIS has a Police Services Liability Management section that has recommended that City utilize the services of a retired Chief of Police to assist them in assessing and supervising their Police Department. A former chief from Burns, Matt Fine, had submitted an agreement for the Council to consider. The Council was also given a letter from Rod Brown of PSLM urging the City to take steps to address critical areas of need with regard to maintaining a police department, i.e., the establishment of contemporary policies and qualified law enforcement management oversight. The letter advised the need to provide support and guidance for the City’s officer by way of an experienced and trained professional administrator. Albrich noted that Rod Brown was overall impressed with the City’s police department but said there are administrative gaps that need to be addressed. He also said that it would be a great opportunity for Officer Wood to be mentored by Matt Fine. The Council was asked to consider entering into a contract with Fine to provide these services while they are contemplating the options for providing police services to the community. It was decided that they would wait for the results of the Best Practices Survey before making a decision. 8:20 p.m. The Council was asked to consider three resolutions for approval. MSP: To adopt Resolution 2007-01 appropriated unexpected funds, Roger McKinley/Bill Harrington. MSP: To adopt Resolution 2007-01 authorizing a budget transfer, Bill Harrington/Frank Primozic MSP: To adopt Resolution 2007-03 authorizing a budget transfer, Bill Harrington/Frank Primozic The Council was reminded to attend the budget meeting on April 18, 2007. 8:35 p.m. It was moved and seconded to adjourn the meeting. Respectfully submitted: ___________________________ Diane Clingman, City Recorder Approved this Date: ________________ _________________________________ Stan Horrell, Mayor Minutes April 11, 2007