HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-Council Work Session-2/10/2020COUNCIL WORK SESSION
February 10, 2020
4:10 p.m.
Harold E. Getty Council Chambers
Members present: Boesen, Amos, Morrissey, Klein, Feuss, Grieder, and Juon. Mr. Morrissey
joined via telephone.
Moved by Amos seconded by Grieder that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Voice -vote
Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
Objective: Update on the GIS 1roject.
Chris Youngblut, IT Director, explained the GIS project to date and introduced Kendis
Scharenbroich with Pro -West & Associates.
Kendis Scharenbroich, Pro -West & Associates, explained that the city worked with Pro -West to
develop a strategic plan to better understand the GIS needs of the city. They helped develop
recommendations of how GIS can be implemented in different departments, training for staff, and
integration with existing software. The city entered into licensing agreement with a company
called Esri, which is the Microsoft of GIS. Progress made to date includes integration with Water
Works, county dispatch, televising sewer lines, utilities, county parcel records, and street light
locations. She explained that some solutions that are available to the public are maps showing
recycling routes, tax information for parcels, and road closures. She explained that Esri recognized
the City of Waterloo with a Special Achievement in GIS award. Moving forward, the city will
need to be working to continue to upgrade and maintain existing software, find integrations when
new software is added in different departments, budget for new hardware, training, and services,
increase staffing and find solutions for using GIS out in the field.
Mrs. Juon questioned if the GIS information can be put onto paper maps.
Chris Youngblut confirmed.
Objective: Update on the Waste Management Biosolids Project.
Brian Bowman, Treatment Operations Supervisor, provided an overview of the FY2020 Biosolids
project. The project will replace aging infrastructure, reduce operating cost, add flexibility,
improve hydraulic constraints/bottlenecks and internal recycle loads that effect process stability
and performance, and improve safety. Bids for the project were opened on January 23, 2020. The
low bidder was Woodruff Construction of Waterloo, IA with a bid of $16,587,300. The bid
included four bid alternatives which included, $199,000 for outdoor biosolids loadout area,
$840,000 for the chemical building, $374,000 for primary sludge improvements, and $266,000 for
replacing the boiler. The bid will be on the February 17, 2020 agenda for an award and then
construction will commence in March of 2020 with completion expected in 2022.
Randy Bennett, Public Works Division Manager, explained that sewer fees may need to increase
in the future to help fund the project.
Mrs. Juon questioned if this project is part of the consent decree.
Brian Bowman explained that the project is not part of the consent decree.
Mr. Feuss questioned what would happen if the city did not complete the project.
Randy Bennett briefly explained the state of the aging infrastructure.
Brian Bowman explained that the project provides flexibility to manipulate flows plus the current
equipment is reaching the end of its useable life.
Mayor Hart commented on the need to move forward with the project.
Mr. Morrissey questioned the impact to a resident's sewer bill.
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Randy Bennett explained that the sewer bill would potentially increase by 5% this year and 10%
next year.
Mrs. Juon questioned when the fee increase would come to a vote.
Randy Bennett commented that the progress of the various projects will dictate what the potential
for increase may be and that will all happen over time.
Mr. Boesen questioned if implementing this project will provide the extra capacity if neighboring
cities decide to utilize our waste water treatment.
Randy Bennett confirmed.
Mayor Hart commented that they had a waste water regionalization meeting with INRCOG and a
memorandum of understanding on the project will be coming to council in a few months. He then
thanked Mr. Bowman and the Waste Management Department team for their work on the project.
With no further business before the Council, it was moved by Juon seconded by Feuss that the
meeting be adjourned at 5:07 p.m. Voice -vote Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
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elley Felc
City Clerk