MPCA agreement ends for Fountain

Amid several comments of celebration at the June 7 council meeting, the City of Fountain finally saw its stipulation agreement with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) end.

As reported in the Fillmore County Journal in August 2017, the agency approved the new plant in 2009 and began operation the following January. In 2015, MPCA notified the city of a violation. The city signed a stipulation agreement to rectify the problems and regain compliance in October 2016.

Dubbed an “unfunded mandate,” in the article, city engineers at the time also noted, “MPCA might also be feeling the heat from the Environmental Protection Agency because they (MPCA) approved the plant.”

The problem stemmed from the inability of the plant to function as designed. MPCA classification of the plant, and related thresholds, led to a sky-high cost of wastewater operation and maintenance, which at the time posed bankruptcy potential for the city.

After eight years, the city found compliance and, more importantly, maintained it.

“As of May 23, the agreement is completed. We no longer have a stipulation agreement with MPCA,” said City Clerk Mary Tjepkes.

In other news, Fillmore County Historical Society Executive Director Sara Sturgis was present at the meeting to request support from the city for a tourism initiative. As the self-acclaimed “Sink Hole Capital of the U.S.A.,” Fountain is known for its karst topography and the cavernous holes created in and around the city.

According to Sturgis, a steady influx of visitors come to the Fillmore County Historical Society’s Museum & Library seeking information on sinkholes. The society is looking to create multi-faceted sinkhole tourism to better serve those coming and the community. Included options are: an outdoor educational kiosk, cleaning up access to the main sinkhole sight near the trailhead for the Root River State Trail, a sinkhole educational tour, and an updated website and content.

To do this, the society’s goal is to partner with the city and entities for a cooperative effort. Keenly aware of long-range plans and budgetary needs, support from the city will not lock it in financially but does provide some heft to the efforts.

“We’re stitching resources together to create better accessibility,” said Sturgis. “People are coming in and asking about this.”

“Anything that’s going to bring tourism to Fountain is going to be dollars for the community and businesses,” added Mayor Tammy Danielson.

The council also discussed a recent request to deed a portion of multiple properties on Cedar Street to the city, and the possibility of the extension of 2nd Street next to an adjacent property for a potential future residential development.

The city attorney has already advised against having the property deeded to the city due to the sinkhole present. Councilor Dave Gudmundson suggested the city cap it and put dirt on it “the right way.” However, Councilor Colleen Fohrenbacher debunked that option.

“It’s always going to collect water. That’s the way the science works. Water is going to constantly erode the limestone,” she said. She further suggested city engineers should look at it for mitigation techniques to slow the stormwater flooding into it.

The council did approve consideration of the extension of the street. First, however, the council must determine the scope of the extension requirements and costs.

The council also approved hiring a part-time position to assist only in the clerk’s absence, contingent on League of Minnesota Cities recommendations on hiring processes. With nearly 180 hours of Personal Time Off (PTO) accrued, Tjepkes noted she needs someone to answer phones, respond to messages, and enter utility payments, among other clerical tasks. With no other city staff, it limits when Tjepkes can use PTO.

Mayor Danielson suggested the city hire someone to cover the position and invests in training someone who can step in to fill other essential tasks if needed.

“We run a risk of having one person that’s great at everything and no support,” she noted. “We need to allow you to have a work/life balance.”

Lastly, the city is looking for a city resident or business owner to head up an initiative, to organize the placing of flags on properties that request them. Several other cities do this, utilizing non-profit organizations and groups to place the flags at designated times during the year. Typically, these properties pay a small fee for the service.

Danielson volunteered to contact other cities to see who heads up their programs and which groups help. Still, the city will need a volunteer organizer to head it up.

“We’re looking for someone in Fountain to lead the program in the city,” she stated. “It really caught my eye. It’s a wonderful thing.”

The next regularly scheduled meeting is Wednesday, July 5, at 7 p.m. at city hall. The public is encouraged to attend.