03-02-85 S&W Comm MinutesMarch 2 , 1985 SEWER & WATER COMMITTEE 4:00 P.M.
• Chairman Nystul and Committeemen Ruiz and Springer present. Also
in attendance were DPW Hammer and Roger Hopkins, reporter from the Daily -
Interlake.
Chairman Nystul called the meeting to order.
WATER BILL ADJUSTMENTS - DPW Hammer explained past practices of
adjusting sewer but not water bills. He recommended proportionate
adjustment so that both departments share the loss. C. Springer moved
to adopt that policy. C. Nystul seconded.
Gene Staples billing - Attorney Neier was to file a lien. If
filed properly at appropriate time it will show up in the closing papers
in case of a sale. Discussion of delinquency decision, water billing
department sending the City Attorney the information at the cut off date
(60 or 90 days).
If property is already sold then the only alternative is to sue
the former owner who owes the bill, in city court at no cost to the city.
Procedure decided on is in previous minutes. DPW Hammer is to write memo
to City Clerk to address the problem.
Estimating of water bills - Too many -bills are being estimated. Meter
replacement program is helping. It appears that on hard to reach meters
. the reader may estimate twice and only read actual every third time. Joyce
now has office at the water warehouse and is making schedules for meter
installations. Report passed out of meters installed.
WOODLAND WATER EXTENSION - C. Springer moved that DPW Hammer be
instructed to shut off the water in order to inventory who is receiving and
who is being billed. Committee concurred. The Public Service Commission
states that the sewer and water are the city's and they will not become
involved unless there is a lawsuit and maybe not then. DPW Hammer (with
the okay from PSC) recommended that in problem areas we write letters to
owners stating that the city is putting in a new system, you have 6 months
to get off the old system and hook up to the new one. Then when they hook
on we can go for annexation.
Grant Head in Willow Glen: DPW Hammer recommends not extending water
at this time. Committee concurs..
SANDY FELLOWS EXTENSION - Letter announcing public information meeting
read. Public opinion running 2 to 1 in favor. Some problems with individual
hookups. Included in SID will be stub out. Everyone will pay for the SID
but will not be required to hook up until their septic systems fail.
STAHLY PAYMENT REQUEST - Committee all agreed not to make payment until
manuals are in our hands.
WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANT - DPW Hammer presented certified letter
• from Department of Health and Environmental Sciences and indicated that we
are working on the problem. Committee asked that copies of the letter be
sent to the contractor, engineer and Daily Interlake. DPW Hammer requested
the letter so that when things go wrong DHES will be to blame.
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March 29, 1985
Sewer and Water Committee
Page 2
41 Because of problems with the ABF tower we know this will not get us
into compliance anyway. We'll spend $50,000.00 and DHES will come back on us
again. We are not in compliance on Biological Oxygen Demands and total
suspended solids. We are okay on people choliform and oil and grease. The
reason we are not in compliance on total suspended solids is due to the filter.
As of this date we have engaged Culligan to remove the filter media from the
filters and to replace the filter media and they are working on that at this
time. Anticipated completion: several days from now. Backwash pump will not
be put in until the filters are rebuilt. So there is no reason to replace
the backwash pump until the filter is replaced because it would only tear up
the pump. So in the near future the total suspended solids problem will be
taken care of. The problem with .BOD is due partially to gremlins growing
in the ABF tower. We may be out of compliance with BOD until the problem
with the ABF tower is solved. Diversion to the sludge handling facility
reduces the problem but does not solve it.
DHES was asked how to correct the problem. They replied that they
were not in the business of assisting us. They only tell us to comply.
DHES were the same people who approved the plan in the beginning.
Contractor - DPW Hammer indicated some areas that have been re -done are
not acceptable yet.
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