Agenda - Council - 04/12/2011 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CC Regular Session Date: 04/12/2011 By: MaryJo Warner Engineering/Public Works Item #: 5. 14. Title: Report from Public Works Information Background: The Public Works Committee met on March 15, 2011 and discussed the following four cases. Case # 1: Consider Agreement with Minnesota Pollution Control Agency regarding Ambient Groundwater Quality Monitoring Wells Background: Public Works Director Olson reviewed in the staff report and stated 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. He explained the Agency is testing sites that have not yet been tested to establish a base line report. Discussion ensued regarding the requirement to establish an escrow for the well abandonment in the future. In conversations with the Department of Health as well as the MPCA, they have indicated that the administartive procedures that would be required to implement such a request would be too costly and that their track record since this program was first initiated (1980) has been 100%. Motion to recommend that the City Council approve of the access agreement subject to the review and approval by the City Attorney. Case #2: Consider Policy for the Disposition of Surplus Wood and Tree Waste Parks Supervisor Riverblood stated the purpose of this case is to develop a policy for handling the disposal of those wood wastes (saw logs and firewood suitable material) that have monetary value, such that it is fair, transparent, and may yield a small amount of revenue for the City. Discussion took place on whether it is more feasible to give wood away, sell good quality wood, or pay to bring it to the compost site. It was noted that there may be security or liability issues related to keeping the wood and there may be benefits to selling or giving it away. Parks Supervisor Riverblood offered to check with the County on their compost site, and bring an update back to the Committee. He added the policy can be updated at any point. Since the Public Works Committee meeting staff contacted the County's compost site and was informed they would be open to the City's use of the site during normal business hours and the same rates would apply as any resident