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Home My Public Portal About04/14/82 Special CCMThe Council of the City of Medina met in Special Session on Wednesday, April 14, 1982 37 at 7:40 P.M. Present: Mayor, Thomas Anderson; Councilmembers, Wilfred Scherer, Thomas Crosb�j, William Reiser, Sarah Lutz; Clerk -Treasurer, Donna Roehl; Attorney, Richard ISchieffer; Engineers, Paul Pearson, Chuck Wilson 1. MEDINA MORNINGSIDE/LONG LAKE WATER SYSTEM Thomas Anderson explained that the purpose of the meeting was to present and discuss any new information regarding a possible merger of the Long Lake and Medina Morningside water systems. Chuck Wilson recapped information that had been previously presented emphasizing the fact that the advantages to both systems are more wells, not cost savings. He reported that the project would cost approximately $770,000 and that properties coming onto the system, at a later date, would pay an availability charge of about $350.00. The purchase price of $67,000,being offered by Long Lake, covers one-half of the original purchase price of $90,000 of the Medina Morringside water system ,plus $22,000 for well repairs that were made. Al Gongaware: Will the projected rates remain constant? Thomas Crosby: Yes Mr. Gongaware: Who controls water rates? Thomas Anderson: A joint powers agreement among the three cities. Mr. Crosby: Why are the debt retirement charges now shown as 6 years, down from112 years at the last meeting? Chuck Wilson: Some of the debt retirement will be covered by connection charges after 12 years. There are 220 additional lots projected in Orono and Long Lake. Mr. Gongaware: There will be a savings of $152 over a twelve year period. Under the present system I can come to this Council and complain, to whom do I complain under thel proposed system, and what are the advantages of the proposed system? Mr. Anderson: I believe we would have a more reliable system. Mr. Crosby: We would be spreading costs over a larger area and lessening individual costs. Mr. . What happens if the system is not adequate? Mr. Wilson: It is considered adequate at 27,000 gallons of water, per user, per quarter. Mr. Anderson: Must be of a magnitude so as to be adequate for.five years. Harriet Johnson: Is the water from the Long Lake wells as good as Medina Morningside water? Mr. Wilson: Yes, it is from the same aquafer. Doug Wackk: What are some of the advantages? Mr. Wilson: If electricity is out have 200,000 gallon supply versus the 2000 gallons that exists in the pressure system. Also if a breakdown occurs in a well expenses are shared by more users. Don Hedtke: How many users would there be? Mr. Wilson: 780 Mr. Anderson: There would be storage capacity for fire protection. Jerry Johnston: What is this worth to Orono? Mr. Anderson: They would be buying into the system. Jerry Johnston: Who do we answer to for charges? Mr. Crosby: There are two components in the bill, one for water lines, the other for joint powers expenses. Mr. Anderson: There should be an escape clause in a joint powers arrangement. Mr. Gongaware: If this is such a great plan, why can't the pipes be included in the project? Mr. Crosby: Because Long Lake says they will not accept the pipes. Mr. Wilson: Do you want to take on the Long Lake pipes? Bill Reed: Does the Council have the option of entering into the agreement without the approval of property owners? Mr. Anderson: Yes. Mr. Crosby: Several years ago we asked you if you wanted sewer installed without a Federal Grant and you agreed to do it without such funds, however, the Council waited and now it is costing you one third less than it might have cost without the grant. Mr. Wacke: If you had gone ahead with the project three years ago without the grant, the project might have cost less and we would have had three years use by this tim6. Richard Schieffer: Under a joint powers agreement the board sets rates for water usage and individual councils set rates for pipe maintenance. 3 8 Roman Lesniak: How did you arrive at a $45,000 value on the wells. Mr. Anderson: New wells would cost about $80,000. Mr. Gongaware: What are the advantages to Orono and Long Lake? Mr. Wilson: Orono would have water supply. Mr. Anderson: When we put a price of $67,000 on the wells the advantage to Long Lake was not there. Harriet Johnson: It appears that we would only be saving $6.00, why were we called to another meeting? Mr. Crosby: We went back to Long Lake to try to make a better deal and they said, "No." We thought that asking everyone to come back for a meeting would be a direct way of letting everyone know what was going on. Ted Lockwood: Our water consumption will remain stable, Long Lake development will probably increase drastically. What if another water tower is needed? Mr. Anderson: That is one of the unknowns. Mr. Crosby: A similar type of control as is being used for sewer could be used. Dianne Whitehead: Couldn't two of the members team up against the third. Chuck Wilson and Paul Pearson explained the repairs needed to the water mains. They presented an estimated cost of $30,000 based on Nodland and Associates prices. Discussion of the problem areas in Medina Morningside. Chuck Wilson: The urgency of this project is so as not to have to redo the streets after fixing a water line break, some time after they have been blacktopped in connection with the sewer project. Cal Headly: May not need to make major repairs to water mains at this time if the storm sewer project will clear up some of the problem areas. Anthony Barrett: Will we still need our sump pumps? Mr. Anderson: Should be connecting drain tiles to the system. Mr. Gongaware: I do not believe there is enough information given to make a decision, further study on the existing Long Lake system is needed. Mr. Crosby: According to the fee schedule large water users would be paying a great deal more. Perhaps we could look at in 5 or 6 years. Mr. Anderson: One fear is the possibility of having to build a larger system for Long Lake or Orono, with no ad,rantage to Medina. Jerry Johnston: I would like to see a show of hands as to those in favor of a merger and if Council decides to take it upon itself to enter into such an agreement the res- idents be notified before such a meeting is held. Mayor Anderson asked for a show of hands: Totally opposed - 20; Neutral or undecided - 2. Mr. Schaeffer; Council could have a public hearing and discuss addition of water mains to the project, but I would like to talk to the Federal people, because we may lose some of our funding. Discussion of surplus funds. There would be $18,000 in contingency if curbs were of the surmountable type. Discussion of the possibility of putting both types of curbing in various areas. Mayor Anderson asked for a show of hands for type of curbing: Unsurmountable - 14; Surmountable - 6. Doug Sorenson asked if curb and street were to be put in the depth of his lot. Plans show that a provision is made for such installation. Discussion of problems with tile lines. Several residents thought that the entire tile line would need to be replaced. Thomas Anderson stated that ther apparently is overwhelming opposistion to the merger, by the areas residents. Thomas Crosby stated that the city could explore at a future date. Motion by Crosby, seconded by Reiser not to participate in a merger on the Long Lake and Medina Morningside water systems. Motion declared carried Discussion regarding the need to make the needed repairs to the mains before the street 3 9 are completed and how the project would be funded. Schieffer stated th:=t he would investigate the use of contingency funds of the sewer project and whether the project could be negotiated or would need to be bid. 2. WCCO Discussion of the fact that Thomas Crosby would be out of town for the Tuesday, 'April 20th meeting and could not participate in the WCCO discussion. City Council decided to hold a special meeting on April 22nd to discuss the WCCO project, because Mr. Crosby must be out of town. Motion by Reiser, seconded by Crosby to adjourn. Motion declared carried Meeting adjourned at 10:45 P.M. b v WsJ /101.4t Clerk —Treasurer April 14, 1982