06-09-1997 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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I To the City Council and Citizens of the City of Orono April 29. 1997 Water and sewer Fund Operations The City continued its program to reduce the amount of ground water and stormwater entering the sanitary sewer system, with the purpose of reducing sewage treatment costs. The program includes inspection of manholes, lift stations, and sewer lines to identify significant sources of infiltration and inflow (I & I), then sealing the manholes and lift stations, and repairing the sewer lines to eliminate the I & I. In 1996, the City completed the inspection, sealing, and repair of sanitary sewer facilities in the initial project area. The City has now received a $10,000 grant from the Metropolitan Council Environmental Services to inspect a second project area, and a $17,000 loan to assist in funding the sealing and repairs needed in this area. These efforts will result in substantial reductions in I & I, as well as reductions in the related sewage treatment costs. The savings generated by these efforts will then be put toward addressing I & I problems in another project area. This program will be ongoing. The City is planning a multi-year rehabilitation of the Navarre water plant. This project will address mamtenance and repair needs while upgrading the plant to meet projected water supply needs. The rehabilitation plan will be guided by a comprehensive analysis of the water plant performed by the City ’s consulting engineer. Storm Water Management Planning In 1996, the City Council authorized the development of a surface water management plan for the City. The plan will clarify city objectives and policies regarding surface water management, will provide solutions to existing storm water problem areas, will enable the City to be proactive in planning surface water management facilities so that the surface water management needs of the City can be met as cost effectively as possible, and will identify necessary capital projects so that the City can identify funding needs and funding sources well in advance of the projects. Labor R elations Labor relations are continuing on a positive path. The police officers have agreed to a two-year contract for 1997 and 1998 with wage incieases of 3% in both years. The police lieutenant bargaining unit has been eliminated due to the only member being promoted to the position of Police Chief. Park Planning The City continued efforts toward developing a parks and open space master plan. The Paries and Planning Commissions participated in a process to identify priority open space preservation objectives to guide the development of the plan. -6- • I M m •( II a a I .1^m m .<1