NEWS ITEMS
TO: Mayor and Council
FROM: Tim
DATE: August 18, 2010
1. NEXT MEETING: The next meeting is Tuesday, September 7 at 6:00 pm.
2. SEWER PLANT: On August 15 Operator Kevin Crawford saw smoke coming from the Main Control Center (MCC) in the maintenance building and discovered the plant lost one phase of its three-phase power. Consequently several pumps lost power.
A Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) was damaged and several fuses where blown. Breakers tripped including the Country Club re-use water pump that may have suffered damage as well.
This VFD cost $5,700.00 to remove and replace on the 16th. The drive unit controls the influent flow to the treatment plant and is very critical to plant operation.
3. I&I: Chuck Burgin, John Hoyman, Skye Jacobs, Dan Miers and I met on the 19th to discuss methods to encourage property owners to make I&I repairs instead of paying the monthly fee. Options include:
1. Increasing the fee
2. Filing a municipal infraction (court action)
3. City performs repairs
After discussing, options 1 & 2 will be recommended for elected official discussion on September 13.
4. SOUTH Y: Garden’s Brad Uitemarkt reports the proposed storm pipe extending west along the south side of the Halsted property is 24” and is sized for larger than a 10-year storm. However, he will review 30” and 36” pipe options to determine the potential for reducing overland drainage even more.
Upon review of the properties several times this week, standing water was noted south of the driveway and in the field southwest both before and after Wednesday’s rain. This project will make a significant impact on removing the water and keeping it away from the garage (referenced at Monday’s meeting).
The option sending storm water north needs careful review due to the required length (and size) of pipe. This option will likely cause more overland drainage (over it’s current path) because water will have to flow 1,300’ underground before it outlets into the pond. The original option requires water to flow only 300’ underground before it outlets.
Brad Uitemarkt’s review and recommendation will be brought to committee in September or October.
5. AG ZONING: Residents are allowed to keep farm animals including horses, cows, etc, in the city as long as the property is zoned agricultural and the animals are kept 300’ away from a residential development.
6. LIBRARY HVAC: The Library Board recommended Shive Hattery re-design the Geo Thermal system and also design a replacement conventional system. Getting bids on both options will provide valuable information as to which systems are the most efficient and economical. The recommendation will be to reject the bids on September 7 and re-start the process.
7. FIREWORKS: Fire Chief Brian Seymour approved a fireworks permit for Simpson on August 29 as part of their festivities to welcome students. Per policy, the city is a named insured on Simpson’s $2 million general liability insurance policy.
8. AMPHITHEATER: The backstage wall and room concrete block were completed but due to weather, no other work has been done. Grading and paving of the access drive, backstage doors, sidewalk connection and sod/seeding remain.
9. MCCORD PARK EQUIPMENT: Glen Cowan received installation pricing from 5 companies that range from $10,000 to $12,000 to 15% to 35% of equipment cost. Based on these costs the staff recommendation will be to install the equipment in house.
