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<br />Mr. Morton presented a spreadsheet for the monthly fees, noting they go from $30 to $55 per <br />month. He explained that the fee is dependent on the number of homes and infrastructure that <br />has gone into the system. With the capital replacement costs, they look at the components of the <br />system and if something may fail in 15 years they start putting away those funds on a monthly <br />basis. <br /> <br />Mr. Morton displayed pictures that described construction activity including directional boring, <br />pressure sewer installation, lift stations with redundant pumps, multiple septic tanks, pre- <br />treatment box construction, dosing piping lines, and disposal systems using infiltrator trenches. <br />He also showed pictures of completed projects and a map identifying which States use onsite <br />wastewater systems. <br /> <br />Councilmember Jeffrey asked why it is not required to conform to the MPCA requirements for <br />all projects. <br /> <br />Mr. Morton explained the MPCA has set a standard of so many gallons and the City or County <br />could abide by the same standard if they chose to do so. <br /> <br />Councilmember Jeffrey asked if the system is managed differently if it is an MPCA approved <br />project. <br /> <br />Mr. Morton stated they manage all systems the same and the engineers also provide <br />recommendations on the best way to manage and operate the system. He explained they rely on <br />the engineer's expertise to assure longevity of the system. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec asked if most governments use a consulting engineering firm to assure the system <br />is properly designed. <br /> <br />Mr. Morton stated that is correct and it is the same thing with the civil engineering portion of the <br />project. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec asked if Crow Wing Power is doing the same thing. <br /> <br />Mr. Morton stated he is unsure but TriCounty, in the southern part of Minnesota, is looking at it <br />and other utility firms have contacted him about going on a tour. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec asked how much do soil conditions impact the design and noted that many <br />systems use ponding areas and open spaces. <br /> <br />Mr. Morton stated The Ponds development in Oak Grove uses the pond water to irrigate the golf <br />course. He stated that soil conditions are a huge consideration, noting that in Sherburne County <br />there is a lot of sand so you can get a decent cost per unit. Mr. Morton stated that the grinder <br />pumps are sometimes in the basement or sometimes outside but they are the responsibility of the <br />home owner. <br /> <br />Councilmember Pearson asked how often the drain fields are pumped. <br /> <br />City Council Work Session / April 4, 2006 <br />Page 3 of 19 <br />