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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works Committee Minutes 01.11.2010MINUTES PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE JANUARY 11, 2010 5:30 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBERS MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Mark Mace Marvin Carter Chuck Rodgers Norman Orr Troy Kelsey Dave Siljestrom Chuck Dickerson MEMBERS ABSENT: OTHERS PRESENT: Public Input: None Emelie Eaton Kurt Markegard Kelly Rhoads Dan Koch Amendin Rules and Re lations forUtiliServices: Kurt explained that the rules and regulations needed some work, because the city has had a request for a bulk fill station from a private enterprise. Kurt stated that the only thing the rules and regulations say now is that the resale of water has to be requested from the city council. Kurt stated that the only rule and regulation the city has is that it must go to the city council for approval. Kurt stated that we need to amend the rules and regulations, so that if the city council were to allow that, we would have some kind of grounds to consider. Kurt stated that some of the rules and regulations would be the truck route, water system infrastructure, business license to sell bulk water, back flow prevention, etc. Kurt stated that this committee would decide whether to make a recommendation to the council that the city should allow a private enterprise to profit from the resale of water. Kurt stated that he looked and found that nothing was done by resolution to allow the current person that is selling water to operate. Kurt stated that they never asked the city council for permission. Kurt explained that a resolution had to be passed in order to take down the city-owned standpipe that was across the street from city hall. Since the city adopted the new Rules and Regulations in 2005, the city does not have to allow a private enterprise to resell water without permission from the city council. Kurt asked if the Public Works Committee would even consider allowing a bulk water fill station, and if so, the committee needs to come up with some rules and regulations. Chuck Dickerson asked if there would be rules and regulations regarding chemicals when people are filling their truck or trailer if the city decided to go forward with this. Kurt stated that it would be very hard to enforce citations, because there is not enough manpower in the police and the public works departments to monitor what kinds of chemicals go down the manhole when chemicals are brought in on trucks/trailers. Marvin Carter stated that, if there was ever a situation that water needed to be rationed, then the city could allow a certain number of gallons to go through the meter and then the city could shut down the water so bulk water could not be sold. Marv also said that the city should put in its own standpipe. Kurt stated that Laurel owns the water rights, the water, the distribution and plant. Kurt does not want to see what happened in the past continue. Kurt would rather have restrictions that he can do or say to people on a utility. Kurt oversees the day-to-day planning, but the council needs to vote on this. Kurt stated that the Public Works Department does not have any powers other than what the council has authorized them to do by ordinance. Chuck Dickerson stated that he does not want to be in this position again, or to see the city in the position that a private entity can hold us over the barrel and make the council make decisions that have affected our residents that we represent, and let the non-residents skate. Kurt asked for feedback from the committee at the next meeting, so he has an idea of where the committee would like to go with the rules and regulations. Kurt will try to have something formalized by the next meeting so a motion could be made on whether to make a recommendation to the council or to leave the rules and regulations as they stand. City's Construction of a New Bulk Water Station: Kurt stated that he attended the public hearing a couple of weeks ago. At that meeting, it sounded like the city council was leaning toward constructing a new bulk water station. Kurt explained that he has never been given orders to go forward with the bulk fill station. Kurt did some checking and got a few costs, and a bulk fill station with one unit would be $10,700 for this system Marvin made a suggestion that the city should put in two stations. He suggested that one bulk fill station be located on the west end of Laurel and one on the east end. Marvin stated that this would prevent water haulers from driving across town to fill their tanks. Kurt explained that he drove around town trying to think of a place where the city could put in a bulk fill station. Kurt stated that we do not have time to buy a piece of property for the fill station. Kurt came up with a couple places where a fill station would work. One location is in the open parking lot across the street from the Owl Caf6. Kurt explained that the lot is owned by the railroad, not the city, so this piece of land would need to be negotiated. Kurt had heard that the railroad was considering expanding the railroad and putting in four new tracks for switching. Kurt does not know what the railroad is going to do. Kurt stated that Gary Colley suggested the second location beside the city shop. Kurt explained that haulers could enter through Fifth Avenue or behind Helena Chemical. Traffic would be restricted from coming up past the Caboose Saloon. Kurt stated that part of the fence would have to be moved and a new gate put in, but this would also be a possible place. Kurt stated that another possible place would be on Eighth Avenue, but that is a city street. Eighth Avenue will be tied up with construction next summer. Chuck made a motion to recommend to the council to consider the city shop area as the number one site to put the city stand pipe. Marvin Carter seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0. Other: Kurt informed the committee that Public Works employees have recently cleared alleys of overgrown tree vegetation. The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m Resp ctfully submitted, IKII, ads Utility Billing Clerk