| Council orders Oak Grove sewer project, scope still unclear |
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| Thursday, 04 June 2009 | |
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Staff writer The northeast sewer replacement project is one step closer to becoming reality in Oak Grove. Last week the Oak Grove City Council unanimously voted to order the project, prepare plans and specifications and to advertise for bids. But while the council has authorized advertising for bids, councilmembers have yet to decide the scope of the project. The council is considering three options for replacing the northeast sewer system, which fails to meet the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) regulations for nitrogen discharge limits. Option 1 moves users of the northeast system onto the west Lake George system, plus connects an additional 50 properties to utilize the existing treatment facilities. The additional 50 properties connected to the system will be reserved for properties with failing systems and without space for a backup system, among other criteria to be established by the council. Those 50 properties allowed to connect to the system will be assessed for construction costs. Properties already on the northeast and Lake George systems will not be assessed as they have already paid assessments for sewer service. Option 2 will allow additional properties to hook up to the sewer system. All properties adjacent to the primary forcemain will be assessed for the project. This option will construct additional facilities to treat the waste, adding room for an additional 105 properties to hook up to the system. Option 3 will have capacity for all existing northeast system parcels, north side parcels, south side parcels, Aster Drive properties, Greenwald Island properties and other parcels adjacent the lake along Aster Lane. During a public hearing on the project, the majority of residents spoke in favor of Option 1. “Option 1 would do me just fine,” said Tom Velasco. “People want us to do the minimum,” said Councilmember Kristen Anderson. Once that 50 is full and their septic system fails, they have to come up with their own options to fix their system, she said. Resident Craig Menge has an operating septic system and a backup site; however he said he favors Option 2 for the long term. “To do what’s right is costing everybody more money,” he said. “Either you’re in, you’re out, or you’re screwed,” Menge said about Option 1. “It is a tough decision for the council,” said Brian Miller, city engineer. “The hard question is how much do you want to expand the service area.” As part of the permitting process for the west Lake George treatment system, the MPCA required the northeast sewer system meet updated nitrogen discharge regulation limits by July 2010. The northeast sewer permit was reviewed by the MPCA as part of the Lake George treatment system permitting process, moving up the timeline for the northeast system to meet updated regulations. The city would have been required to meet the nitrogen discharge regulations when the northeast sewer system permit came up for renewal, according to Miller. For each day beyond July 2010 that the system fails to meet the requirements, the city will be fined $500. “It’s something being mandated by the MPCA. It’s either run this around the lake or spend $500 a day,” Mayor Jim Iund said at the start of the public hearing. The effort to keep the project moving forward is in an effort to secure grant money to offset construction costs. “Time is very important in racing the clock to get that grant money,” Miller said. Bids on the project are expected to come in June 23, with contracts awarded at the June 29 council meeting. Construction is expected to begin July 15, with an assessment hearing Sept. 28. Kelly Johnson is at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it |
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