Minutes - Public Works Committee - 01/15/2008

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and some still have manual readings taken. He stated that when he worked in Moundsview they replaced theirs over a period of 4 years. He asked whether there was a trade in value with the old meters because some of the components were made of brass. Utilities Supervisor Nelson stated that he is not sure what that value would be because he normally has just recycled the old meters. City Administrator Ulrich stated that Moundsview ended up authorizing overtime to the utility crews to do this work more quickly. Councilmember Elvig stated that he would like to move this forward with the understanding that the City still needs to look at the financing options with full Council review rather than waiting for the options to come back to the Public Works Committee and then move to the Council. Motion by Mayor Gamec, seconded by Councilmember Dehen, to recommend that the City Council agree to move forward with replacing water meters, with the understanding that the Finance Department will present the City Council with a cost analysis of how this can be completed in a short amount of time and still be fiscally responsible and that the old meters will be re-used, recycled or traded in for materials. Further Discussion: Councilmember Dehen stated that he would like to target completion in 5 or 6 years. Mayor Gamec suggested that staff come up with 5 year, 7 year and 10 year plan for replacement costs. Utilities Supervisor Nelson noted that another cost savings in the future will be that the readings can be done in-house. Mayor Gamec stated that these potential cost savings should be included in the calculations. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Elvig, Mayor Gamec and Councilmember Dehen. Voting No: None. Absent: Councilmember Olson. Chairperson Elvig noted that this item should be a Case and not put under the Consent Agenda for the next City Council meeting. Case #3: Update on Ermine Boulevard Storm Sewer Project City Engineer Jankowski stated that this case is a good newslbad news issue. He stated that staff was directed to replace the culvert in this area and in preparing plans and specifications. He stated that when this work began it was discovered that the 100 year flood level was considerably less than what FEMA had listed in their 1979 report. He stated that the good thing is that the City does not need to put in as large of a culvert as anticipated, so there will be a cost savings. He stated that the bad news is that there needs to be additional work done to change the floodplain by submitting a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) and it costs $4,400 for FEMA to review. He stated that the DNR is working to remodel other sections of the floodplains and this section is set for late 2009 or early 2010. He stated that the City could wait for the DNR remodeling and amendments before the project is completed, however, staff is recommending that the City complete the project by the fall of 2008. He noted that this is outlined as Option 1 in the staff report letter. Public Works Committee /January 15, 2008 Page 6 of 13