Minutes - Public Works Committee - 01/16/2007

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COMMITTEE BUSINESS Case #1: Review Annual Water System Complaints Utilities Supervisor Nelson stated the water utility tracks customer complaints regarding water quality. Included in the Committee's packet is a summary of the number and types of complaints that have been received over the past five years. The most numerous type of complaint continues to be relative to high iron concentrations in the water. Noticeably reduced is the number of low pressure complaints from earlier years. None have been received in 2006. This is largely attributable to the increased water supply and the expansion and looping of the distribution pipes within the system. The other complaints received include odor, hardness, and sand in the water. Chairperson Elvig verified with Mr. Nelson that the complaints are primarily related to flushing. He asked ifthere are still complaints about odor. Utilities Supervisor Nelson replied he received nine of these complaints in 2006. Many of them are due to stagnant water in water heaters. He assists these residents in flushing out the water heater, which usually handles the complaint. Chairperson Elvig asked if manganese comes through commonly with flushing. Utilities Supervisor Nelson replied yes, some areas of town have a bigger problem with manganese than others; it is a naturally occurring element in drinking water. Chairperson Elvig verified with Mr. Nelson that the planned water treatment plant is expected to cure these water issues. Case #2: Consider Purchase of Lot in River Pines Addition to Facilitate Street Connection and Lift Station Abandonment City Engineer Jankowski reviewed that at the May 16, 2006 Public Works Committee meeting the Committee recommended that a first right of refusal be negotiated on the property located at 5860 15ih Lane (lot 1 block 2 River Pines 1 st Addition), since this property was identified as the best location for facilitating a connection between the River Pines / Apple Ridge subdivisions and the proposed Rum River Meadows subdivision to the south. On May 23, 2006 the City Council agreed with the recommendation of the Committee and directed staff to obtain a first right of refusal for the purchase of this property should it become available for purchase. It has come to the attention of staff that this property has been for sale for several months and has recently been reduced to an asking price of $282,900. City Engineer Jankowski indicated included in the Committee's packet is a figure illustrating the street connection that acquisition of this property would allow. The benefits of this connection include the following: . Elimination of a cul-de-sac serving 23 (future) units which exceeds the 600 foot length limit for cul-de-sacs by 350 feet and providing a second outlet for these units. . Provides a third ingress / egress point for the existing River Pines subdivision Public Works Committee / January 16, 2007 Page 2 of 13