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<br />hydropillar, similar to the existing tower #2 with total storage up to four million gallons. He <br />reported that the City currently uses approximately two million gallons per day, and during high <br />demand, up to five or six million gallons per day. He added that based upon the needs of <br />average demand with storage, the City is at threshold and it will take two years to get this water <br />tower on line. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig stated he was opposed to the location of the tower right next to a road with <br />marketable property, which renders that property considerably less valuable for other <br />opportunities. <br /> <br />Assistant City Engineer Himmer stated the City is purchasing 14 acres of land within the <br />location on the site plan and it was stafP s intent to save as much useable land as possible for <br />future use. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dehen asked if the Council debated the location for the tower. <br /> <br />Assistant City Engineer Himmer stated there was significant discussion regarding the appropriate <br />location, and three other locations were investigated. He stated the water main is already in <br />place at this location and staff is trying to stay as close as possible to the existing area; this was <br />the only area in this location that had soil suitable to construct a tower. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dehen stated as a City, we should support future growth and asked if there is an <br />immediate need for this water tower. <br /> <br />Assistant City Engineer Himmer replied the City is at a threshold trying to manage current needs <br />and future needs. He stated the City is able to meet current demands but with the development <br />of the Town Center, that demand will increase upwards of 800,000 gallons per day, which puts <br />the City over the threshold. He stated the Council needs to look at both supply and storage and <br />noted the City can pump it out ofthe river but it needs additional storage capability. <br /> <br />Public Works Director Olson stated the basic standard is that you should have enough above <br />ground storage to operate the system for a day or two without an interruption in service to your <br />customers. He stated with projected peak demand at almost 6-7 million gallons, it is important to <br />retain the capacity to fight a fire, so staff feels the water tower is an additional need beyond <br />water storage for a water treatment facility. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dehen requested further information regarding storage capacity of two million <br />gallons and the City's ability to meet peak demand of 6-7 million gallons. <br /> <br />Public Works Director Olson stated the pumps are all operating during peak demand and the <br />towers are filling up as they are drained. He stated you should have as much above ground <br />storage as required by your daily demand. He indicated that staff does not want to have to tell <br />developers that they cannot construct anything until the tower is up and running. <br /> <br />Assistant City Engineer Himmer stated that Progressive Consulting Engineers was retained to <br />work with the City on this project after receiving three other RFP responses. He added <br /> <br />City Council / January 27, 2009 <br />Page 12 of 20 <br />