HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/06/93CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
December 6, 1993
5:30 p.m.
Large Conference Room
Roll call: Mayor Manning, Buck, Budak, Lemke, Angel, Wright, Dell
and Fox.
John Meyer, Public Works Director, stated that the purpose of the
meeting was to continue discussion on the city's wastewater
treatment/sanitary sewer system and alternatives to meeting stream -
flow standards required for permitting of the city's water
pollution control plant. During a work session held on November
22nd, city staff presented recommendations on a plan of action
which would allow compliance with required discharge regulations.
As a result of negotiations with the Iowa Department of Natural
Resources, a Consent Order, Judgement and Decree has been
negotiated which outlines the compliance schedule including total
project costs currently estimated at approximately $38 million to
be spent over the next four years. Additionally, it requires
revenue increases of approximately 60%. The decree sets out time
lines for implementation and bench marks for completion in the
improvements. Specific improvements are not fully defined but
consideration will be given to a one plant or two plant option.
Dell and Fox now present at 5:35 p.m.
The two plant option includes the construction of a second facility
for the industrial waste loads at the northeast industrial lagoon
site and improvements at the Easton Avenue W.P.C.F. including flow
equalization, a final clarifier, and a defuser out fall. The
improvements at the northeast industrial lagoon site include
additional biological treatment including grit facilities, primary
clarification, aeration basins, final clarification, post aeration
facilities, sludge pumping and force main in to defuser out fall in
to the Cedar River. The one plant option includes refurbishment,
reconstruction and construction of the following facilities at the
Easton Avenue W.P.C.F.: primary treatment facilities, dual
electric feed system, and nitrification facilities. Both options
include the construction of the northwest interceptor sanitary
sewer. A civil penalty in the amount of $10,000 has been assessed,
however, additional penalties will be forthcoming if the city does
not meet the compliance schedule as set forth in the decree.
In meetings with Eagle Ottawa Tanning, Mr. Meyer stated that the
tannery proposed two alternatives. The first was a dedicated
industrial plant at the Easton Avenue W.P.C.F. This is similar to
the way waste was handled from the former Rath Packing Company.
The second alternative was a flow variable loading idea. In
meetings with I.B.P., possible alternatives were discussed but were
not reduced to writing. Their primary objection was to the cost of
the proposed improvements and resulting increased operational costs
to the company. Mr. Meyer stated that the city does not intend to
violate its existing agreement with I.B.P. which states that any
future improvements to the plant are subject to a negotiation
process with the company and allow "a fair share" of the cost to be
borne by I.B.P.
Bob Bamsey, representing RUST Engineering, reported on the options
suggested by Eagle Tanning. Councilperson Lemke warned that
placing all improvements at the Easton site greatly restricts the
future growth capacity of the city as the area for improvements at
the Easton Avenue facility are somewhat limited.
Mr. Meyer clarified the Consent Order as a negotiated settlement
that the city has chosen to undertake to avoid the greater civil
penalties that could be imposed by the Attorney General's Office.
If the Consent Order is not approved, the Attorney General will
execute said order and can increase the penalties. Mr. Meyer
recommended that the council approve the Consent Order and delay
action on the engineering study and allow continued work on the
concepts and allow an additional opportunity to work with the industries.
Council Work Session
December 6, 1993
Page 2
Jim Schmitz asked that the council table action on the
that there had been limited joint work on this project.
Darrell McAllister, Chief of the Department of Natural
Water Quality Bureau, stated that if the council does
action on the Consent Order, he would asked the Attorney
Office to begin proceedings in district court.
order and
Resources
not take
General's
Robert White, representing the Eagle Tanning Company, stated that
one of the reasons the company had located in Waterloo was the low
cost of sewage treatment and that higher costs could hurt their
ability to compete in the industry. He asked that the company be
allowed to continue the offer of engineering expertise to search
for a less costly alternative than the one being considered.
Mayor Elect John Rooff questioned Mr. McAllister was to whether the
January 15th deadline requiring a preliminary engineering report
for improvements be submitted to the DNR was locked in. Mr.
McAllister stated if the council did not take action by that time,
he would recommend that the Attorney General take full action
against the city. City Attorney Walsh warned that if the council
did not take action, fines limits could be raised. Mr. Rooff
stated that in conversations with Senator Harken, federal funds may
be available for the project.
No official action was taken and the meeting was adjourned at 6:35
p.m.
Michelle Temeyer
Acting Clerk/Auditor