January 2011 – City Council Minutes
January 4, 2011
Those Present: Ada DeClark, Doug Thompson, Gary Thompson, Jeff Olsen, Ken Klingenberg, Jim Miller, Mike Jaglowski, Aaron Swenson, Skylar Allen, Nick Charles, Joe DeClark, Wanda Dunn, Tom Hepworth, Bob Van Cleave, Brandon Harris, Duane Peterson, Craig Bornful
Meeting called to order: 7:00 pm
Invocation: Ada DeClark
The chair entertained a motion from council member Ada DeClark the council approve the posted agenda. Council member Joe DeClark seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion carried the council.
Minutes from the December 7, 2010 council meeting were read. The chair entertained a motion from council member Ada DeClark the council accept the minutes as read. Council member Joe DeClark seconded the motion . All were in favor and the motion carried the council.
Jeff Olsen from BioLynceus addressed the council with information concerning a product produced expressly for wastewater systems. The product is introduced at the top of the wastewater system and eliminates sledge, algae, weeds, etc. in the lines and lagoon cells. The product has been in operation for 20 years and has had a good success rate. He felt the product would help the city system immensely. Questions were asked and discussion ensued. The council will review the information. Aaron Swenson from Forsgren Associates visited with the council concerning the transportation grant awarded the city. The grant is a non-matching grant and funds will become available in the spring. Funds from the grant must be used to create a capital improvement plan, a payment management plan, or a maintenance management plan. Aaron and Brandon would like to put together a citizens committee to help with the planning process. As funds become available they will meet with council members and receive more direction. Ken Klingenberg chairman of the Citizens Advisory Committee over the wastewater system informed those present about the issues the city has with the present system. When the system was implemented into the city infrastructure a discharge permit was required, however the city was never issued one. In May 2009, a Notice of Violation and Request for Information from EPA was received by the city. The city failed to address the notice and in October 2010 the City received a Notice of Intent to File Complaint for Clean Water Act Violations from EPA. At that time there were 39 violations reported on the system. Keller Engineering was already doing the feasibility study for the city; they were contacted to help with the violation problem. A citizens advisory committee was formed consisting of Ken Klingenberg, Jim Miller, Paul Miller, Joe DeClark, Mayor Van Cleave, Doug Thompson and Skylar Allen. Discussions were held and the committee has the following recommendation for the city council: eliminate the lift station, line pipe from MH83 to lagoons, clean and video inspect collection system, raise manholes experiencing inflow, discontinue discharge to Bear River and revert to land application as permitted through Idaho DEQ. Land application would eliminate the hovering of Federal agencies allowing the city to deal with state agencies only. Mayor Van Cleave told those present the city with the help of Keller Engineering has forwarded a letter to EPA informing them of the steps the city has previously taken to correct the problems and the monetary expense the city has put back into the system. Part of the committee recommendation is to purchase property that will be leased back for the land application. If the city does not comply with EPA mandates, the violations to the city would run in the millions of dollars. The city can not afford to ignore the violations or the fact the wastewater system needs attention. Mike Jaglowski from Keller Engineering told those present total construction costs would be approximately 2.7 million. The city can apply for a loan from DEQ with an interest rate of 1.75% and a 30 year term. The city would need to make application to DEQ for the assistance program. Expiration date for the application is January 14, 2011. At 8:15 pm, the chair entertained a motion from council member Ada DeClark the council move to an executive session pursuant to Idaho Code Section 67-2345-C. Council member Joe DeClark seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken and is as follows: Joe – yes, Duane – yes, Ada – yes, Gary – yes. All were in favor and the motion carried the council. At 8:25 pm, the chair entertained a motion from council member Ada DeClark the council move back into public meeting. Council member Gary Thompson seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken and is as follows: Joe – yes, Duane – yes, Ada – yes, Gary – yes. All were in favor and the motion carried the council. The chair entertained a motion from council member Duane Peterson the council accept the Citizens Advisory Committee’s recommendation to proceed with the land application method and for Keller Engineering to finish the wastewater study and present to the City and DEQ an agreeable process for the land application method and apply for the funding necessary for the project. Council member Gary Thompson seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken and is as follows: Joe – yes, Duane – yes, Ada – yes, Gary – yes. All were in favor and the motion carried the council. The chair entertained a motion from council member Joe DeClark the council approve the elimination of the present lift station for the wastewater system and the installation of a new collection line from the present lift station to the sewer lagoons. Council member Duane Peterson seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken and is as follows: Joe – yes, Duane – yes, Ada – yes, Gary – yes. All were in favor and the motion carried the council. The chair entertained a motion from council member Gary Thompson the council schedule a special emergency meeting for the council to review the Clean Water Funding Assistance Letter of Interest to DEQ. Due to the dead line set on the application the council will need to meet as soon as possible. Proposing the meeting be set for Thursday 6, January 2011 at 8:00 am at City Hall. Council member Ada DeClark seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken and is as follows: Joe – yes, Duane – yes, Ada – yes, Gary – yes. All were in favor and the motion carried the council.
Police Report: Officer Skinner had 33 contacts.
Maintenance Report: Doug plowed snow and more snow and more snow, cleared out the cemetery for a funeral, collected samples for water and sewer, sent the EPA letter and plowed snow, kept the Christmas lights running and plowed snow.
Marty reported 21 delinquent water and sewer accounts. Told the council Officer Skinner would like to purchase a new winter coat in the neighborhood of $250.00. The chair entertained a motion from council member Duane Peterson the council approve the purchase. Council member Gary Thompson seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion carried the council. The chair entertained a motion from council member Joe DeClark the council approve the Mayor to sign the Audit Engagement Letter for the audit for fiscal year 2010. Council member Duane Peterson seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion carried the council.
The chair entertained a motion from council member Joe DeClark the council approve checks and vouchers for the month of December 2010 in the amount of $6,975.62 in the general fund $6,150.41 in the water fund, $11,025.84 in the sewer fund with all funds totaling $24,151.87. Council member Gary Thompson seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion carried the council.
At 10:15 pm, the chair entertained a motion from council member Gary Thompson the council adjourn from the January 2011 council meeting. Council member Joe DeClark seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion carried the council.
Respectfully submitted by,
Marty Nate, City Clerk
City of Georgetown