Last month, following citizen complaints and years of rampant speeding on Cedar Street, the Fountain Council unanimously approved installing a four-way stop at the intersection of Cedar and Third Street, which is about halfway down the length of Cedar Street. At the time, they also discussed the extension of temporary speed bumps, making it impossible to go around and move the city-owned digital speed sign.
At the August 2 meeting, the council took things a step further, approving the change of the Cedar and First Street intersection from a two-way stop to a four-way. This change will create two stops and three speed bumps on the street less than a half mile.
For now, the council approved Public Works Director John Hanson ordering five standard signs at an estimated $40 per sign. The city will look into solar signs with flashing lights to caution drivers if needed. He estimates the cost of the solar signs at $1,000 each.
Another ongoing issue discussed at the meeting is water getting into the community center building. Last week, rainwater came into the building on the north and southeast corner during the Relay for Life event. The same happened a year ago at the event, prompting the council to seek quotes on installing gutters and downspouts.
Last October, the council reviewed two quotes for the work – one from Oeltjen Custom Seamless Gutters & Siding of Spring Valley and the other from Curry’s Custom Cut Gutters of Chatfield. There were some discrepancies, and the council sought clarification on pricing and whether the quotes included a product and workmanship guarantee. The city later hired Oeltjen to do the work.
Mayor Tammy Danielson suggested the council make contact with Oeltjen. “We can’t have this water intrusion,” she said.
“I called him two… three weeks ago, and ‘Yeah, I’ll be there in a week or two.’ Haven’t seen him yet,” recounted Hanson. He further indicated he’d called the company multiple times about the work.
“I think grace has been given,” stated Mayor Tammy Danielson.
The city will seek a second estimate to complete the work immediately.
Other discussion items included seeking replacement costs for basketball backboards at the park, possible removal of a large tree at Third and Main Streets, and overgrown/covered sidewalks in the city, particularly on First Street. At the park, it’s unclear whether damage occurs because of normal wear or vandalism, so the council also discussed surveillance cameras. The council is getting an arborist’s opinion on the tree. As for the sidewalks, the council is consulting with the city ordinances.
Danielson informed the council about messages left from AJ’s Diner. According to the mayor, they will be selling edible cannabis on-site. She indicated the seller checked into needed permitting, and one was not required.
Concerning public works, the council heard from Mike Morris, MMS Environmental, regarding recent work at the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). With the city completing its stipulation agreement with Minnesota Pollution Control Agency recently, an equipment failure was not in good timing.
“In the perfect world, nine times out of 10, a city is going to miss a limit once a year. It’s going to happen, whether it’s an upset or an act of God or whatever,” said Morris via telephone. “It’s now working properly, and all limits were met.”
Morris has suggested the city begin saving funds to replace several key pieces to the infrastructure, including a lift station pump, chemical pump, and an additional blower.
“The pumps are one of the key ingredients for meeting your ammonia limits; if one goes out and we have to wait two weeks for a pump to arrive, we’re hurting,” Morris added. “Hanson has replaced two blowers on the main aeration system, but the last is the original to plant construction in 2009. “The lifespan is 5-10 years, and we’re past that. If that goes out, we’re in jeopardy. I’m not saying we’re going to need it, but if we have problems, it’s there.”
“We replaced one when COVID hit, and we all know what happened after COVID hit,” cautioned Morris. Morris estimates the city should put aside at least $10,000 for the blower, another $2,500-3,500 for the chemical pump, and $30,000, on the low end, for the lift station pump (there are two pumps and currently no backup).
The council will be working on the 2024 budget next month.
The next regularly scheduled council meeting is September 6, at 7 p.m. at city hall. The public is encouraged to attend.
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