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HomeMy Public PortalAbout20001003WCMeeting1 1 Meeting of 2000 -10 -03 City Council Workshop HGBDeY & EPD A workshop was held on October 3, 2000 at the offices of Hussey, Gay, Bell & DeYoung to discuss drainage issues and the wastewater treatment plant. Members of Council present were Shirley Sessions, Anne Monaghan, Pamela 0' Brien, Jack Youmans, Mallory Pearce and Jimmy Burke. City Attorney Edward Hughes was present. Bill Lovett introduced the gentlemen present from HGB &DeY — Bob Welcher, Bill Nicholson, Kurt Aspin and Ben Gay. Peter Mayes from EDP was also in attendance. Nicholson addressed the top 6 areas of concerns on the list: Lovell north of highway 80; 9th Street east of Butler Avenue; 7th Street east of Butler; 14th Street area; 2 private drives; and 6th Street by Gym. Nicholson had a detailed and sated that 9th Street and 7 Street would be easy connection to make and that 9th estimated cost would be $40,000 and 7th would be $34,000. Nicholson said that Butler has an undersized system that runs out to the Back River. Lovett said that to upgrade Butler Avenue that the outflow from 9th would be and estimated cost of $116,000 and 6th would be $163,000. In a 10 -year storm 7 inches of water would go away in about 24 hours. Lovett said that DOT might participate in some of the cost of Butler Avenue. 0' Brien asked about capacity used the future and references? Nicholson said he used the impervious factor of 60% - C factor. Pye asked if a 42 -inch pipe under Butler could handle the storm water? Nicholson answered parallels 30' s. Pye said that we need to look at areas that don' t have any drainage, we have pipes stacked and it is a constant maintenance problem. Cannon asked about the 42 -inch pipe at 9th and 7th Streets. Nicholson drew it out for Cannon. Burke asked where 6th and 7th Streets, and park area drains where? Pye said from 6th to Miller. Sessions questioned Jones in the area of Seyden and the church. Pye said that the areas need to be looked at individually. Pye also stated that what you take off, you run the risk of putting it back on. Cannon asked why people don' t consider any ponding acceptable? Youmans stated that 90% have built their home in low places and then have filled in the ditches in the right -of -way. Cannon said he is looking at right -of -ways, ditches and drainage pipes. Youmans said that area around 2nd and Lovell the ditches were filled in. Lovett said that there were no ditches in that area when H,G,B & DeY became involved. Pye said that there is an 8 inch concrete pipe with swells. Worst area is 14th Street at Miller and 5th Avenue crossings; ground area is 1 to 1 %2 feet above street. Solution could be a pump station, needs a lot of space. Lovett said that it is not nice to have one, it is big, huge and ugly. Nicholson said it is a last resort after all means have been exhausted. Lovett stated that Council gets to make the decision, leave as is or a pump station. The cost would be around $350,000. Burke questioned the drainage in the 14th Street parking lot and the damage to the beach because of it. Lovett answered that area has no drainage. Lovett said that 6th to 9th Streets drain to marsh. Pye said that a pump station would only be used once or twice a year. Lovett said it is an expensive item. Youmans asked how many houses effected by the drainage in 14th Street area. Burke answered about 150. Youmans said that he can' t believe that water goes into 150 houses in that area. Burke said the yards. Youmans said that we will never be able to stop water in yards. Lovett said they recommend a complete study of 6th and 9th Streets and the 14th Street Parking lot on the Strand. Pye asked where are we going to take the water to a pipe that is undersized. Pye said that the only line on Butler is down at the end of 14th Street. 0' Brien questioned the cost and how it relates to the list. Nicholson said he recommends the top 6. The top 6 on the list could add up to about 1 million dollars. Youmans said that there is money in SPLOST, the biggest part being for drainage. Page 1 of 3 1 1 1 Bob Welchel gave a brief summary of the waste water plant — 1 MGD per day — in September 98 we pumped 1.3 MOB for 2 straight days. Lovett said untreated wastewater in Savannah River, it was diluted and it was mostly rainwater. Lovett said that in February the City received a letter from EPD saying that the City needs to be in compliance. Lovett stated that it cost as much to treat a gallon of rainwater as a gallon of wastewater. The sewer pipes have been televised and at least 75% of all lines on the island have been repaired. The plans for the upgrade have been submitted to EPD. 0' Brien said that 2.2 million is in budget. 0' Brien asked how much would it cost. Wehchel answered 4 million dollars. Lovett told Council that it is treated wastewater that goes into the river, not raw sewerage. Peter Mayes of EPD told Council that they understand dry weather treatment and understands wet water flows, population increases in July and August, the City needs to look at expansion not upgrade. Lovett said that everything in the upgrade will be utilized in the expansion process. Monaghan asked about a time line. Lovett said that the schedule is here. Welchel said we are ready for public comments in November. By repairing the sewer lines the City has decreased the infiltration into the sewer system. Lovett said that the effluent flow meter was not reading correctly and has been repaired and is now more accurate. Welchel showed the design of the wastewater treatment plant and the costs is 2.6 million for the upgrade. Lovett said that the City qualifies for a loan of 3 million through the State Revolving Loan. Youmans said that Council voted to pay off the GEFA loan of the water tank with funds from the SPLOST and this was not done because of Farmer. 0' Brien said that we make more interest on the money. Lovett said that GEFA loan is at a higher rate and it would be wise to pay it off. Lovett said that the plans and other documents are at the State for their review. Welchel explained the process that will be followed in order to award the bid. 0' Brien asked if the City has to take the lowest bid. Lovett said that if the company is bonded then the City is protected. Sessions that the 2nd tier is that of minority contractors and subcontractors. Lovett said that the only change in money would be if there is any change orders to the plan. Lovett said that the pre bid meeting will be held on November 28 and take bids on December 19th. 0' Brien asked who can participate. Lovett said that it is open to the public. Lovett said that to expand the capacity of the plant is a Council decision. 0' Brien said that when applying for seasonal permit was told moratorium. Youmans said that we do not need seasonal permit because of the slip lining of the sewer pipes. Mayes said that when the tourist arrive then you violate the permit, he also stated the City is working with EPD. EPD is aware that we the City has an 85% flow of capacity and has scheduled to expand the facility. Mays told Council when you reach 95% then we request the City to adopt a moratorium. Mayes also told Council to look at how the island is developing. Lovett still thinks it is a good idea to request a seasonal permit, it is the Mayor and Councils' decision to do an EPD moratorium. 0' Brien asked what is so bad about asking for a seasonal permit. Lovett said that they could fine Tybee or shut you down. Welchel said a seasonal permit allows you to go over the limit. Pearce said that we needs to slow down development, a couple of years ago we adopted a moratorium, you need good and sound reasons to adopt one, Tybee could limit permit to a certain amount each year. Mayes said that the argument is based on permits. Burke said that it is not the sewer tie ins but the number of people we have. Mayes said that year round is base flow. Monaghan said we need to do something now not wait. Youmans said let the EPD do a moratorium. Monaghan answered she meant to just slow down development not stop it. Mayes told Council that they need to plan. Burke said that we get more tourists each year. Mayes said it looks to him like developers are purchasing old homes, tearing them down and building multi family. Mayes said that monthly averages /weekly base line flow is very important. Pearce asked Hughes what can we do, motion Page 2 of 3 1 1 1 for you to explore. Hughes answered he is getting the message, schedule to control, schedule to expand plant, not clear on seasonal permit, EPD moratorium, it could cost the City a lot on money in a short time. Cannon said to take care of it now before it comes down from State, that way City can make all decisions. Hughes said that it is not necessary for a moratorium. Pearce said just slow it down. Monaghan said to schedule. Sessions mentioned a lotto system. Youmans said that we had 3 lawsuits from the first moratorium. Pearce said that they were dropped. Monaghan said that Council needs to act in a speedy manner, rough draft ready to bring before Council next week. Cannon said November. Mayes said that he does not understand how seasonal permit got connected with moratorium. Burke asked how fast do we have to move in order to be ready for the tourist. Monaghan said slow down on multi family permits — this will stop 30 condos from being built. Mayes said the seasonal permit is wroth pursuing — Tybee needs to be responsible on how they add year round residents, need some type of schedule. 0' Brien asked how long to get a seasonal permit. Lovett said about a year, 0' Brien said that the sewer plant upgrade was estimated at 2 million dollars, now at 3 million and she does not like what she is hearing, is it to late to get seasonal permit for next summer. Mayes answered yes to late for next July. Mayes said a City schedule would help in getting a permit. Monaghan said that Cannon will start preliminary plan on schedule. Youmans said the City has already been approved for the upgrade. Mayes said to go back and reconstruct the seasonal request for the permit. Welchel asked where in Atlanta? Mayes answered Allen Hallum. There was a lengthy discussion on requesting DOT to lay pipes when they construct the new 4 -lane highway from Bull River to Tybee Island. Mayes said it would be very costly for the pipes to transport to Savannah. Lovett said that the cost could be around 6 to 8 million from Tybee to the President plant. Mayes said that he personally does not see that happening. Lovett said we might have to treat to a higher standard. Lovett said that the EPA (Federal) is coming down hard on EPD on discharges into the Savannah River. Lovett ill draft letter for Mayor to sign to the DOT about installing pipes. Clerk of Council Mayor Walter W. Parker Page 3 of 3