Minutes - Planning Commission - 01/07/2021

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Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood commented that activity within The COR has continued regardless of the economic climate, between public improvement and infrastructure and housing developments which shows retailers the confidence that the City and residents have in this community. 7.02: Consider Water Treatment Plant Site Selection Recommendation Presentation City Engineer Westby presented the Staff Report stating that based on the tabulated information in the staff report, as well as other operational benefits and cost savings that would be realized over time,engineering and public works staff recommend locating the proposed WTP on the public works site. It was noted that the City has been primarily running only two to four of its municipal wells to supply water to the City since mid-2019. Since these wells are constantly in operation they are not able to be taken off-line for routine maintenance. Staff therefore recommends proceeding with the proposed WTP construction in as timely a manner as possible to ensure that the City is able to continue providing water in compliance with the MDH HBV for manganese. If the City elects to proceed with construction of the WTP, it could be operational by spring of 2023. Commission Business Chairperson Bauer commented that the construction costs are the same no matter the site but when looking at operation, convenience and ease it would make the most sense to locate on the public works site. Commissioner Peters and Gengler agreed. Commissioner Anderson agreed that this site would be the most efficient of the choices and that it would make sense to have the buildings close together for staff. He asked if they have considered placing the facility on the west corner as that would leave the east portion for sale/development in the future. City Engineer Westby replied that the west side would be more marketable as it has access from two different roads and provides more development/redevelopment opportunities. He stated that the proposed location would also be across from Moline Concrete and therefore the uses would compatible. He noted that Moline also provided concrete panels for the public works facility and would perhaps do the same for this facility, as it also provides Moline with the opportunity to easily show those panels to customers. Commissioner Anderson asked if the City is considering pulling water from the river for treatment, on a longer-term scale. City Engineer Westby stated that the City just completed a study that looked at using surface water, in conjunction with the Metropolitan Council and nearby communities but the cost for each community would be many times over the $32,000,000 for a water treatment plant. He noted that Planning Commission/January 7,2021 Page 18 of 19