The Fountain City Council started things in 2017 in similar discussion to those last year. The city is working cooperatively with WSB & Associates and Rick Whitney, of PeopleService, to determine a solution to waste water treatment plant issues and to assist the city in regaining compliance with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). Things at the plant are progressing, as they attempt to get a handle on the situation, but there was some news at the Thursday, January 5 council meeting that Whitney called, “potentially upsetting news.”
According to Whitney, two pre-anoxic front mixers are not functioning properly and will need repair or replacement. In checking the shaft, it was discovered that the gap between the mixer bottom and the propeller blades was not 24 inches, as required, but rather a half an inch, in Whitney’s opinion. With the mixers carrying so much back from the pumps, downward pressure was put on the propeller blades. As a result from the movement of the mixer, the downward pressure, and the narrow bottom gap, the ten foot, stainless steel propeller blades bent down and struck the bottom.
“It kicked the breaker, fortunately for me,” added Whitney. “It’s one reason why our numbers are up. We were on track to have a good month.”
Whitney pulled the shaft and propeller to further assess options. He’s contacted Sharp Mixers, a firm out of Seattle, WA., regarding a replacement shaft. The quote for shaft replacement is $2,000. He’s also contacted a company out of La Crosse, Wis., to look at any other, more economical ways to repair it. It was suggested by Councilor Brian Ostby that Whitney also contact TEC, of Rochester, to see about repair.
Overall, Whitney stated that the plant is performing, “okay.” MPCA has and is reviewing the paperwork regarding the plant’s compliance. The paperwork was compiled and submitted prior to the December 23 due date. According to Richard Parr, Project Manager for WSB, MPCA has 30 days to comment.
Whitney has also continued to work with Valley Design, which has the city’s largest single input of waste water. During a walk-through, Whitney said he’d suggested some operational changes.
In other news, the council reviewed a recent incident in which a truck was stuck due to icy conditions. The city had assisted with salting/sanding a private property to remedy the situation. Mayor Richard Kujath noted it is not a regular occurrence for the city to provide salt or sand to private properties.
Public Works Director John Hanson is slated to have one week off during February. During that time, if needed, the council will assist with any plowing or other public works duties that need to be attended to.
City Clerk Rhonda Flattum noted that the annual audit will be conducted January 31, and February 1 and 2.
Police Chief Tom Mosher provided the council with an update on happenings in his department. Mosher noted there was very little activity for December. “It was nice, because November was crazy,” he added. Five reminders for no parking, due to snow removal, were given and Mosher completed his annual report to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. New tires will be put on the squad car this month.
Maintenance in and out of the fire hall and community center was tabled due to the absence of Councilor Chad Wangen.
The next regularly scheduled council meeting is Thursday, February 2, at 7:30 p.m., at city hall. The public is encouraged to attend.
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