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City Council Minutes <br /> April 5,2022 <br /> IP <br /> Page 3 of 9 <br /> improvements. He explained the terms for a facility plan and PER and stated <br /> they are basically just terms for a study. He discussed potential funding agencies <br /> and said the facility plan was forwarded to the MCPA after approval from Council <br /> in March. Mr. Houle also stated a portal has been set up with Rural Development <br /> to submit the facility plan to them as well. <br /> Mr. Houle explained the project area and existing wastewater system. He <br /> explained the City' collection system is about 60 years old. He also explained <br /> that the users of the system pay and not everyone are users in the City. He <br /> presented the proposed improvements and explained how the wastewater <br /> system works. He stated the proposed improvements that are being looked at <br /> are the lift station, force main, and stabilization of wastewater treatment plant. <br /> Mr. Houle explained the force main alignment is approximant and it was put in in <br /> the 1960's. He stated that they are working with the City's wastewater operator <br /> on doing more locating. He stated the City has a prescriptive easement and that <br /> does not work in today's world therefore eventually there is a need to survey and <br /> do easements for that. Mr. Houle explained how a lift station works to the Council <br /> and he stated the diameter and volume are fine therefore they do not believe <br /> they will have to dig up the entire thing and replace it. He said they will look at the <br /> controls for the lift station and have looked at replacing and rehabilitating the <br /> • existing lift station. <br /> He explained the force main is an asbestos, concrete pipe and explained it is <br /> safe if it is not broken. They looked at lining the force main, run new one next to <br /> old force main and the advantage is the wastewater can keep running, or the <br /> third option would be to remove and replace. He said considering the age of the <br /> pipes and a couple recent breaks they are looking to remove and replace. Mr. <br /> Houle discussed the ponds stabilization and said they are proposing a 3rd <br /> stabilization cell on the Tree Farm Road lot the City obtained. <br /> Mr. Houle went over the costs and stated the project will go over four million. He <br /> stated the costs will change throughout the project for example they will need to <br /> do a design which has not been done yet and then put it out to a public bids and <br /> prices can change during this time frame. He also stated the user of the systems <br /> pay for the project and there are questions on how much will user fees will go up <br /> and that is unknow at the time due to the funding that the City is seeking. Mr. <br /> Houle went over the tentative schedule and talked about seeking out funding <br /> assistance. <br /> Mayor Gardner asked if there were any questions or comments from the public <br /> before they closed the public hearing. Mark Jurchen asked if more homes go in if <br /> the capacity would be ok and Mr. Houle stated that we are in the 60-65% range <br /> so there is available capacity. Council Member Ronning asked what percentage <br /> of grants funding is available on a project like this and Mr. Houle stated that it <br /> • varies and it is difficult to give a percentage. Rich Spiczka stated that the City has <br /> had two emergency situations in the last six months and we were fortunate that <br />