HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-04-07 Council Work Session MINUTES
OF THE WORK SESSION OF THE
EDINA CITY COUNCIL
HELD AT CITY HALL
ON APRIL 7,2004 AT 5:00 P.M.
Mayor Maetzold convened the special work session of the Edina City Council at 5:15
p.m.
ROLLCALL Answering rollcall were Members Housh, Hovland, Masica, and Mayor
Maetzold. Member Housh entered the meeting at 5:20 p.m. Member Kelly was absent.
City staff attending the meeting were Gordon Hughes, City Manager; Wayne Houle,
City Engineer; Roger Glanzer, Utility Superintendent; David Velde, City Sanitarian; Ceil
Smith, Assistant to the City Manager; Jennifer Bennerotte, Communications Director
and Debra Mangen, City Clerk.
Mayor Maetzold explained the purpose of the work session would be to receive
information about the City's Water Distribution System at 5:00 p.m. and at 6:30 to be
briefed by the City's Audiovisual Consultant, Richard Jamieson.
Manager Hughes introduced Craig Kurtz, Short Elliott Hendrickson, Inc, Naeem
Qureshi, Progressive Consulting Engineers, Inc., Bob Jaskowiak, Rider Bennett, LLP,
and Jerry Murray, LaBreche Murray, all consultants of the City who would be available
to either give information or answer questions. In addition, Mr. Hughes introduced
Robin Breggeman of the Minnesota Department of Health
City Engineer Houle stated the City's water supply is very safe. He said that Edina has
18 total wells; seven, which were utilized year round, and 11 seasonal wells. Mr. Houle
explained that four treatment plants were utilized for the removal of iron and
manganese, adding that the City provides annually between 2.4 and 2.9 billion gallons
of water to its citizens.
Mr. Houle stated that low levels of a contaminant were discovered at Well No. 7, one of
the seasonal wells, was shut down. He added that Well No. 7 drew its water from the
Prairie du Chien - Jordan aquifer and provided from between 0.2 to 2.0 percent of the
City's total water supply. Mr. Houle said that Well No. 7 located near Sherwood Park
had been tested above the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) set by the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for vinyl chloride, a colorless organic gas with
a sweet odor.
Naeem Qureshi reviewed potential action plans for treating Well No. 7 to reduce the
levels of vinyl chloride. Because vinyl chloride is a highly volatile organic compound, it
can be easily removed by aeration. He explained that one alternative would be a packed
tower aeration in combination with granular activated carbon filtrations. Cost of this
alternative was estimated at approximately $900,000 and it would take at least 18
months to complete. Other alternatives include abandoning the well and drilling a new
one or piping Well No. 7 with another well and building a treatment plant. Either of
those options would cost between$1.5 and $2.5 million.
Craig Kurtz reviewed for the Council potential sources of the contaminant. He
explained the contamination could be entering from upper aquifers. Mr. Kurtz
reported that a videotape of the well disclosed no holes, cracks or breaches in the casing
pipe of the well. He added that no large-scale groundwater contamination site has been
identified. Mr. Kurtz said that it would be very difficult to pinpoint the exact location
of the source of the contamination, adding the source could be outside of Edina.
Mr. Houle stated the City staff; SHE staff and MDH staff have met to review the
following issues:
• Assisting with sampling of public water supply wells;
• Strongly recommending measure to inform and protect private-well users
(potentially 6-12 domestic wells in the vicinity of Well 7)
• Collaboration in public relations and information
• Letter sent to Commissioner Corrigan of the Minnesota Pollution Control
Agency
The Council discussed with Staff and consultants the potential sources of the
contamination and the pros and cons of the various alternatives to rectify the
contamination.
The Council recessed at 6:15 p.m.
Mayor Maetzold reconvened the Council at 6:45 p.m. in the Council Chambers for a
brief work session with Richard Jamieson, consultant for Council Chamber's audio-
visual systems. Mr. Jamieson briefly reviewed with the Council the recommended use
of microphones. He explained the camera positions and what the Council could expect
when their meetings were taped for rebroadcast.
There being no further business on the Council Agenda, the Mayor adjourned the
meeting at 6:55 p.m.
i
ity Clerk