Minutes - Council - 02/27/2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Councilmember Dehen: Councilmember Elvig: Councilmember Jeffrey: Councilmember Look: Councilmember Olson: Councilmember Strommen: aye absent aye aye aye aye Motion carried. Case #5: Consider Regional Water Improvement Study Public Works Director Olson stated the City is currently conducting a pilot plant study to determine the feasibility of using surface water to supply the water needs as demand increases. Utilization of surface water will require construction of a water treatment plant which is a large capital expenditure. Staff and Bolton & Menk, Inc. reviewed water supply options with the City Council at the January 30, 2007 worksession. Discussion included exploring options to make the treatment plant a regional resource, thereby spreading the cost of the investment. A regional plant may be eligible for grants to help offset the costs whereas a city plant is not eligible for grants. Mr. Olson advised staff has requested a proposal from Bolton & Menk, Inc. for evaluating the potential for a regional water treatment plant in Ramsey to serve the needs of Ramsey and St. Francis. They have submitted a proposal for performing this analysis, the proposal has two phases. Phase 1 consists of a kickoff meeting, gathering information and identifying potential solutions. Phase 2 consists of compiling the data from Phase 1, identifying the necessary infrastructure and scheduling and preparing a report with a presentation to the City Council. Bolton & Menk, Inc. has a working relationship with the City of St. Francis also, so coordination of meetings and gathering data should proceed smoothly. Mr. Olson advised the proposed compensation for Phase 1 is a lump sum of $5,000 and Phase 2 is a lump sum of $12,500. The study will be funded from the Water Utility. Staff recommends approval of the proposal from Bolton & Menk, Inc. for study of regional water improvements in two phases, with compensation for Phase 1 as a lump sum of $5,000 and Phase 2 as a lump sum of $12,500. Mr. Olson advised there would be a cost share between the cities of Ramsey and St. Francis for the cost of the study. Councilmember Elvig retuned to the meeting. Councilmember Strommen noted the Council previously discussed whether this water plant should be a regional resource. She asked how this study was defined to include the cities of Ramsey and St. Francis. . Public Works Director Olson explained Bolton & Menk, Inc. works as the City of St. Francis Engineer, so there was a link in communication established through that firm. St. Francis is running into some water supply issues, and would need something relatively quick. The City of Ramsey has a good ground water supply currently, and realizes the challenges of trying to find a financing mechanism. Mr. Olson noted Ramsey applied two years ago for a Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund Grant and was unsuccessful because most of their resource would be covering new development, not necessarily existing deyelopment. There are a lot of questions to City Council / February 27, 2007 P,age 13 of 21