01-07-09 JWC Minutes
JOINT WATER COMMISSION MINUTES
Golden Valley - Crystal - New Hope
Meeting of January 7, 2009
The Golden Valley - Crystal - New Hope Joint Water Commission meeting was called
to order at 1 :30 pm in the City of Golden Valley Council Conference Room.
Commissioners Present
Tom Burt, City Manager, Golden Valley
Kirk McDonald, City Manager, New Hope
Anne Norris, City Manager, Crystal
Staff Present
Tom Mathisen, Director of Public Works, Crystal
Randy Kloepper, Utility Maintenance Supervisor, Crystal
Guy Johnson, Director of Public Works, New Hope
Jeannine Clancy, Director of Public Works, Golden Valley
Sue Virnig, Finance Director, Golden Valley
Bert Tracy, Public Works Maintenance Manager, Golden Valley
Dave Lemke, Utilities Maintenance Supervisor, Golden Valley
Other
Scott Harder, Environmental Financial Group, Inc.
Shahin Rezania, Director of Water Treatment & Distribution Services, Minneapolis
Chris Catlin, Superintendent of Water Plant Operations, Minneapolis
Approval of JWC Minutes
MOVED by Norris, seconded by McDonald and motion carried unanimously to approve
the minutes of the December 3, 2008 meeting as submitted.
Fridlev Membrane Filtration Plant
Shahin Rezania and Chris Catlin attended to give an updated presentation on the status
of the Fridley membrane filtration plant. A subcommittee of the Minneapolis City Council
will hear the presentation next week before introduced to the Minneapolis City Council
the following week. The Fridley filtration plant started in 1997. In the early 1990s,
Minneapolis recommended the use of a membrane filtration system. In Minneapolis,
many structures date back to the 1920s. Minneapolis replaced the Columbia Heights
plant with a membrane filtration system and the plant was online by 2005.
In 2004, the process started for improving the Fridley filtration plant and later a
consultant was hired to do the design. Adam Kramer (now retired) was the Minneapolis
Director of Water Works and directed the project at the time.
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Since the process to convert to a membrane filtration system began, revenues and
consumption has decreased for a number of reasons, including improved products on
the market that encourage water conservation.
The water quality from a membrane filtration system is excellent; however, some of the
problems associated with a membrane filtration system include: (1) removal of particles
only and not solubles, (2) taste and odor issues, and (3) maintenance and material
costs. Minneapolis is looking at marketing its water to other cities as part of its business
model.
Minneapolis is committed to continuing to increase the use at the Columbia Heights
membrane filtration plant.
Clancy asked what Minneapolis is doing to extend the lifespan of the Columbia Heights
plant. Mr. Rezania said that due to less demand for the materials used in the membrane
filtration system, the costs are higher. The membrane uses costly chemicals for
cleaning. Minneapolis continues to purchase the most durable products available and
even with high quality products, the lifespan is difficult to predict. The membrane has
numerous small plastic valves that are made of less durable material. Increase in
demand would bring those costs down.
Currently, one-third of the water comes from Columbia Heights and two-thirds comes
from the Fridley plant of all water produced by Minneapolis Water Works.
Mathisen asked what involvement the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) would
have in water issues. The MAC currently pays its water use at a residential charge.
MAC has talked to other Metro area cities for a cost comparison and approached
Minneapolis requesting consideration of reducing rates they are given.
In May, Minneapolis will be discussing the next 5-year budget plan (2010-2014). Harder
suggested the JWC consider organizing an interim board consisting of a combination of
appointed and elected officials (two to three from each city) to meet over the next three
months to discuss the final details.
As the next step, Tom Burt will talk with Mayor Loomis about getting an interim group
set up to start meeting in February.
Clancy requested that the information presented to the Minneapolis subcommittee and
the Minneapolis City Council be sent to the JWC. Mr. Razania will forward the
presentation to the JWC that includes the Minneapolis Water Works' recommendation.
Clancy posed the question again about the possibility of Minneapolis collaborating with
Golden Valley to build a plant in Golden Valley. Norris commented that this topic has
not reached staff level for discussion.
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Proposal for Water Supplv Turbine Generation Feasibility Study
Burt, Clancy, and Tracy met with Barr Engineering Company to look at generating
power with the use of turbines at the reservoir. Barr submitted a proposal for the JWC to
consider. The lump sum amount proposed is $22,000.
Mathisen commented that he had a similar idea several years ago. At that time, Barr did
an unofficial review and determined it was not feasible. Mathisen agrees it is time to
look at the possibility again, but as a next step have Barr meet with the TAC first and
not move ahead with spending the money. Burt agreed and recommended looking into
what grants might be available from Xcel.
MOVED by McDonald, seconded by Norris and motion carried unanimously to refer the
potential project to the TAC for consideration.
Resolution 09-01 regarding Designating Depositories for Joint Water Funds
Commissioner Norris introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION 09-01
RESOLUTION DESIGNATING DEPOSITORIES FOR JOINT WATER FUNDS
The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was seconded by Commissioner
McDonald and upon a vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof:
Burt, McDonald, and Norris; and the following voted against the same: none,
whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted, signed by the Chair
and his signature attested by the Vice Chair.
Other
Harder said that General Mills would like to meet with Barr and review the engineering
concept plan before implementation of the emergency water supply plan. The call order
of wells is (1) New Hope and (2) General Mills 3 and 4. The cost for each well will be
about $0.5 million. It will be approximately $487,000 to tie the New Hope well into the
system. Harder said working with General Mills has gone well. The hydraulic modeling
is complete and the TAC will need to review the study prior to final form.
Scott Harder forwarded the Water Supply Plan to the JWC in October 2008; however,
only Golden Valley acknowledged receiving a copy. He will resend the plan via email to
the JWC.
Next Meeting
The next meeting will be Wednesday, February 4,2009, at 1 :30 pm.
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Adiournment
The meeting was adjourned at 2:50 pm.
~,'-
Thomas D. Burt, C --r'. .
ATTEST:
t Schutrop, Adminis ative Assistant
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