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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022.10.24 UC Minutes UTILITY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 24, 2022 CALL TO ORDER Pursuant to due call and notice thereof the regular Utility Commission meeting of the City of Rosemount th was called to order on October 24, 2022, at 5:30 p.m. in the Conference Room, City Hall, 2875 145 Street West, Rosemount. Attendees included: Commissioner Vanessa Demuth, Laura Miller, and Greg Johnson. Staff present included the following: Mayor Droste, City Administrator Martin, Public Works Director Egger, Finance Director Malecha, and Recording Secretary Simonson. ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO AGENDA None. ELECTION OF CHAIR Commissioner Johnson nominated himself for Commission Chair. Motion by Demuth, Second by Miller Motion to select Commissioner Johnson as the new Commission Chair. Ayes. 3. Nays. 0. Motion carried. AUDIENCE INPUT None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 5.a. March 28, 2022 Utility Commission Meeting Minutes Motion to approve the minutes of March 28, 2022 Utility Commission Meeting Ayes. 2. (Commissioner Miller did not vote as she was not in attendance for the March meeting.) Nays. 0. Motion carried. 5.b. July 25, 2022 Utility Commission Meeting Minutes Motion to approve the minutes of July 25, 2022 Utility Commission Meeting Ayes. 2. (Commissioner Miller did not vote as she was not in attendance for the July meeting.) Nays. 0. Motion carried. 5.c. September 26, 2022 Utility Commission Meeting Minutes Motion to approve the minutes of September 26, 2022 Utility Commission Meeting with an addition to item 10.c. Commissioner Demuth inquired about the use of Well 7 verses other wells due to the manganese levels. Staff will follow up with information for the next meeting scheduled for October 24, 2022. Ayes. 3. Nays. 0. Motion carried. PRESENTATION 6.a. Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Presentation on Manganese Levels in Well No. 7 and in City’s System Karla Peterson, MDH Community Water Supply Unit Supervisor, and Jessie Kolar, MDH Community Water Supply Unit, St. Paul Division discussed the results of the additional manganese testing requested by the City, and on the MDH’s approach to advising and regulating public water supply systems relating to manganese. Peterson explained that manganese is a non-regulated contaminant and is not required for testing by public water systems. The MDH has health-based guidance for manganese in water of 143 μg/L (143 ppb) actual, rounded to 100 μg/L, and the EPA’s health advisory level of 300μg/L. For bottle fed infants drinking formula reconstituted with unfiltered tap water, 100 μg/L is recommended due to the levels of manganese found in baby formulas. Testing of manganese levels by the MDH was conducted on October 11, 2022, and sample sources included well source, commercial, and residential sites. Results from testing ranged 172 μg/L to 24 μg/L. Kolar indicated variability in results could be due to how the wells are pumped. For example, levels may start high but drop after 20 minutes of pumping. It was noted that the residential sites tested seemed to have the lowest levels, and furthermore, these sites did not have filtration/treatment systems or water softeners which can further reduce levels of manganese in the water at the distribution source. Peterson stated that the results from previous testing indicates that all but 2 wells have manganese levels below the Health Guidance Value (HGV), and that Rosemount’s levels are better than most of the 100+ communities in the state. Public Works Director Egger reiterated that Well 7 is only operated during periods of high demand (summer) and is run concurrently with other wells in the City’s system, effectively blending the water and diluting the manganese levels in the distribution system to lower levels than at the source, as per the recommendation by the MDH. The MDH has previously confirmed the City is within compliance and it is acceptable to operate in this manner. The MDH has offered to conduct additional intensified observation and full well field testing which will include more than just identifying manganese levels. The City will work collaboratively with MDH staff to move forward with this testing. Commissioner Demuth recommended that residents with infants 18 months and younger be notified of this potential health issue. It was noted that notice was sent out in 2020 to residents regarding this potential issue. However, Commissioner Demuth would like to notify residents again and the Commission discussed how to provide this information to residents. As the City is now in a low water use season, Well 7 is shut down for the season and there will be 5-6 months in which further study and discussion regarding educating residents on manganese in drinking water can be conducted. PUBLIC HEARINGS None. OLD BUSINESS Commissioner Johnson inquired about the water treatment plant timeline. Public Works Director Egger explained that a feasibility study was completed, and 3 options were presented to the Commission at the July 25, 2022 meeting. The next step is for the Commission to provide recommendation to the City Council on the proposal. This discussion is anticipated to occur during the first quarter of 2023. NEW BUSINESS 9.a. Rate Model Preliminary Review Public Works Director Egger and Finance Director Malecha presented to the Commission with the revised rate models for 2023. The Commission will provide recommendations at the November 28, 2022 meeting. The 2023 rate proposal will need to be presented to City Council at the December 6, 2022 or no later than the December 20, 2022 meeting. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT 10.a. Well Pumping Report Public Works Director Egger presented the current well pumping records and noted that Quarter 3 closed out at 470,825,000 gallons with a total of 904,814,500 gallons year-to-date. Projections indicate the City could close out the year under 1 billion gallons, less than in 2021. 10.b. Action Item / Issues List i. Commissioner Demuth requested city irrigation and water use reports for 2022. ii. Public Works Director Egger also noted that the December 19, 2022 meeting will need to be cancelled due to the holidays and staff scheduling. 10.d. Set Meeting Agenda for November 28, 2022 i. Finalize 2023 rate models to provide proposal to City Council at one of the December meetings. ii. Bring forward to a future meeting the modification of the bylaws to reduce official meeting schedule to quarterly. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Utility Commission and upon a motion by Demuth and a second by Miller the meeting was adjourned at 7:01 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Amy Simonson Recording Secretary