City Council - 09/02/2008 - Workshop APPROVED MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP & OPEN PODIUM
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2008 CITY CENTER
5:00—6:25 PM, HERITAGE ROOM II
6:30—7:00 PM, COUNCIL CHAMBER
CITY COUNCIL: Mayor Phil Young, Council Members Brad Aho, Sherry Butcher, Jon
Duckstad, and Kathy Nelson
CITY STAFF: City Manager Scott Neal, Police Chief Rob Reynolds, Fire Chief George Esbensen,
Public Works Director Eugene Dietz, Community Development Director Janet Jeremiah, Parks and
Recreation Director Jay Lotthammer, Communications Manager Joyce Lorenz, Assistant to the
City Manager Michael Barone, City Attorney Ric Rosow, and Recorder Lorene McWaters
Heritage Room H
I. STORMWATER INFLOW AND INFILTRATION
Public Works Director Gene Dietz introduced Alva Rankin and Kirby Van Note of SEH,
Inc. SEH conducted a two-year Inflow and Infiltration (I/I) Study for the City of Eden
Prairie, which was completed in August of this year. Rankin presented a PowerPoint on
the study results as well as SEH's recommendations for an I/I reduction program.
Inflow is the misdirection of rainwater into the wastewater collection system. Infiltration
occurs when clear water enters the wastewater system via cracks and leaks in sewer
pipes. Sources of I/I from public property include leaking manholes and covers, leaking
main line sewers, and cross connections of storm and sanitary sewers. Sources of I/I
from private property include sump pumps, foundation drains, leaking laterals, roof
leaders, and area drains.
I/I can result in health and safety issues, loss of capacity, and infrastructure wear and tear.
The Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (MCES)has established a program
that requires cities to reduce UI. Communities with I/I above the goals established by
MCES will be required to eliminate the excessive I/I or face surcharges.
Forty-six communities, including Eden Prairie, currently exceed MCES I/I limits. Eden
Prairie's surcharge is $2,782,500, which will be allocated over five years. If the City
eliminates peak I/I flows by 2012 the surcharge will end. If the City does not eliminate
its peak flows by 2012, the surcharge becomes a demand charge and it will be added to
its annual wastewater bill.
SEH's recommends smoke testing, dye water flooding, periodic cleaning, and closed
circuit television inspection of the sanitary sewer system. SEH also recommends that the
City develop an inspection and abatement program for private properties.
City Council Workshop
September 2, 2008
Page 2
Gene Dietz said City staff has drafted proposed ordinance that would reduce discharge
into the sewer system from private properties. The ordinance includes a program of
phased inspections. The City will conduct the inspections;however,property owners
have the option of hiring a certified third party to conduct the inspection. The ordinance
includes a proposed surcharge for property owners who are found to be improperly
discharging into the sewer system and who have not made corrections within a specified
time period, or who have not obtained an inspection within 30 days of notice by the City.
Dietz said he is prepared to submit the proposed ordinance to the Council for first reading
at the September 16 City Council meeting,but that the inspection program would not
begin until after a public education campaign is carried out.
Council Member Aho asked where the majority of I/I is coming from. Rankin said an
estimated 65 percent of the problem is on the private side and that the Met Council is
most concerned about inflow. Dietz said reducing inflow is the most critical item for the
city to address to meet Met Council's 2013 deadline. He said the City of Minnetonka has
already adopted an ordinance similar to the one staff has drafted.
Mayor Young said he is concerned that there is not enough time for property owners to
be adequately informed about the proposed ordinance before the September 16 Council
meeting. Both Young and Council Member Duckstad said they would like a public
announcement of the proposed ordinance in advance of the first reading. Council
Member Nelson suggested holding a public forum, making the information available on
Cable Channel 16, and posting the information on the City's web site.
Dietz and City Manager Scott Neal said first reading of the ordinance can be delayed
until October, and Engineering and Communications staff will work together to inform
the public about I/I and the proposed ordinance.
Council Chamber
II. OPEN PODIUM
III. ADJOURNMENT