The City of Fountain has opted to go a new direction in relation to its wastewater treatment plant, approving moving forward with a three-year contract with MMS Environmental. The firm recently toured the facility and provided the city with a detailed proposal, which was reviewed at the Wednesday, May 1 council meeting.
The plant was designated as non-compliant by Minnesota Pollution Control Agency in October 2016. The city struggled with state mandated timelines and finding assistance in bringing the plant back into compliance. In 2017, the city contracted with People Service, Inc. with Rick Whitney acting as operator to the city. City Engineer WSB Associates indicated to the council in February 2017 that the plant had began achieving compliance in mid-December 2016.
Having two full years of compliance now successfully under its belt, the city continues to explore cost saving measures for the plant. Mayor Jim Schott noted the city had gone “way over” on certain costs related to maintaining compliance. Councilor Chad Wangen also expressed frustrations including some with People Service, but noted the company had been the only one to bring the plant into compliance.
The MMS proposal highlighted various services, but three options for the contract. Option one includes in-person monitoring three times a week at a cost of $5,100 per month, an annual $61,200, while option two opts for usage of Pointwatch remote monitoring, twice a month, at a cost of $4,850 per month, an annual total of $58,200.
Option three would utilizing the training of Public Works Director John Hanson by MMS to reduce monitoring requirements detailed in option two. MMS would continue service once per week at a cost of $4,550 per month, an annual cost of $54,600. In any option, the City of Fountain would be responsible for the cost of all chemicals, pumps, repair and service to pumps, pumpling/cleaning of lift stations, and repairs to the plant.
A motion to go with MMS Environmental was made by Councilor Terry Hanson and seconded by Councilor Chad Wangen. It was approved by all in attendance. Councilor Dave Gudmundson was absent.
In related news, the final draft of a Wastewater Treatment Plant Agreement with Valley Design is in the works. Once completed, it will go to MPCA for review.
Mayor Schott and the Zoning Board have met with legal counsel regarding ongoing zoning issues. One of the issues is the potential rezoning of a plat of land owned by Simon Hershberger, who would like to build a shed and potentially a subdivision.
“There’s a parcel that we’re requesting to have rezoned for a shed, but there’s a process to it,” noted City Clerk Rhonda Flattum. She noted a petition to rezone would need to come from Hershberger, along with a resolution from the council, and two public hearings would need to be held. “That’s the way it goes when you rezone.”
There’s also still some question on what effect the added housing would have on the wastewater plant and how wastewater would be held and moved within the system. No further discussion was had on the item.
A proposal from the surveyor working on clarifying right-of-way easements for the city is also forthcoming. A specific date was not given.
Following discussions with legal counsel, Schott also indicated that the city’s zoning ordinance needs updating. “We need to go through ordinances and get them straightened around,” said Schott.
It was suggested that the city utilize the city engineer to go through the ordinances. “The zoning ordinance is the most important to get updated,” added Flattum. “It’s old; written in 2002.”
“What happened years ago probably isn’t going to work for the city now,” noted Schott. A unanimous decision to hire WSB Associates was made.
Schott also took a minute to remind the council that city ordinances require dogs to be leashed, even if on private property and noted recent instances of non-compliance. “It’s just a friendly reminder to keep your dogs on leash or put up fencing, underground or otherwise,” he added.
The city continues to seek out volunteers for city projects and the 150th celebration. A list of city projects will be posted around the city. Volunteers are encouraged to contact the city. The next planning meeting for the celebration is slated for Tuesday, May 14, 7 p.m.
A Citywide Spring Clean has been scheduled for Monday, May 13, 4-8 p.m., in the parking lot behind city hall. Flattum stated a notice was included with recent utility billing.
Flattum also noted that the Root River Trail Towns 60-mile garage sale is happening June 21-22 and that residents can be listed for free on the map in the Fillmore County Journal if they contact the city by June 10.
The next regularly scheduled council meeting is Wednesday, June 5, at 7:30 p.m., at city hall. The public is encouraged to attend.
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