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Commissioner Walker asked the cost for the facility. Mr. Nelson stated that the budget cost was $30,000,000. He stated that they have not completed a detailed cost estimate but believes that the project would fit within that budget. He estimated that the treatment plant itself would be about $25,000,000 noting the additional work that would be needed to support the facility. Commissioner Walker referenced the statement that 12,000,000 gallons of water are flushed when hydrant flushing is completed and asked the cost to the City to do that. Utilities Supervisor Nelson commented that the water itself does not have a substantial cost, noting that it is more the labor associated with that task. Commissioner Walker explained that he is attempting to justify the cost for the water treatment plant versus flushing water. Utilities Supervisor Nelson commented that the biggest issue is the manganese in the drinking water. He stated that currently the City has eight well and three of those are below the health - based guidance for manganese, which are the main wells used. He explained that the wells with the lowest manganese are the wells highest in iron, which results in the most complaints from residents. He stated that the water treatment facility will remove the manganese and iron from the drinking water. Commissioner Walker commented that it seems that every time there is a project, someone says the City is spending money it does not have and therefore he would like to have an educated response on why this is needed. Mr. Nelson stated that the impotence for this type of project has been based on the need to meet the health -based value, such as manganese removal, and noted that an added value is aesthetics such as the removal of iron. Commissioner Walker commented that he is not against the water treatment plant. He stated that many residents are upset with the 17 percent increase to property taxes and therefore would like to have the facts to support this request. Councilmember Woestehoff stated that the Council has approved the design specifications for this project already. He noted that Ramsey has anticipated this project for many years and $27,000,000 has already been set aside through utility funds and the remainder would be bonded and paid back with utility funds, therefore it will not be an additional cost to residents. Community Development Director Hagen stated that at the last worksession the Council added a legislative priority to request additional funds for this project. Commissioner VanScoy asked what would happen to the iron and manganese that is removed. Planning Commission/ January 27, 2022 Page 3 of 22