Agenda - Public Works Committee - 03/15/2011

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Public Works Committee Date: 03/15/2011 By: Brian Olson Engineering/Public Works Item #: 5. 1. Information Title: Consider Agreement with Minnesota Pollution Control Agency regarding Ambient Groundwater Quality Monitoring Wells Background: On February 10, 2010 Staff received a request from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) to consider allowing the use of City owned property to install monitoring wells so they could improve their Ambient Groundwater Quality Monitoring Network. This monitoring well program is part of a network designed to provide long-term information about Minnesota's groundwater quality. It is the MPCA's intention to maintain these monitoring wells and to monitor them indefinitely. Attached to this case is a presentation that explains the program as well as an access agreement that would allow MPCA Staff or their environmental consultant to enter onto the said premises for well construction and monitoring activities. There will be 2 members of Peer Environmental, (MPCA environmental consultant) available at the meeting if there are questions relating to the purpose of the program. Notification: Observations: Over the years, Staff has received numerous requests for information regarding groundwater levels. Whether that is a resident reacting to a construction project that requires dewatering or from another agency such as the Watershed Management Organization, this information would be helpful and could even reduce the amount of money spent in the future. Since the MPCA will provide copies of the results of all sampling conducted on the Property, any improvement of this network will also allow the establishment of a baseline of groundwater table information. As mentioned in the access agreement, termination can be achieved within 60 days notice by either party. The Property Owner understands that, should either party decide to terminate this agreement, state law requires proper closure of the well. The MPCA will be responsible for all costs and activities associated with closure of the monitoring well. The Property Owner agrees and understands that, to close the well, it will be necessary to provide access to the MPCA for the purpose of well closure, and the Property Owner hereby agrees to provide that access, conditioned only on 48 hours written notice. There are three sites that the MPCA has designated as appropriate for these monitoring wells. (See attachments). Two of them are located in underutilized park spaces and one of them is in an industrial area. Staff has internally discussed these sites and feel that the sites on the park properties are generally acceptible but the site shown on the industrial property should be located in the NW corner. Staff does not believe that these installations would not affect the use of these parcels nor the potential resale of these properties and therefore have recommended approval of the access agreement subject to the review and approval by the City Attorney.