Lowell-Cedar Lake Joint Management and Oversight Board

Meeting Minutes

Date: May 24, 2016

Location: Cedar Lake Town Hall

Call to Order

The meeting of the Lowell-Cedar Lake Joint Management and Oversight Board (JMOB) was called to order at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 24, 2016 by Cedar Lake Councilman Ralph Miller. Pledge of Allegiance was recited by the attendees.

Members Present for Town of Lowell

Members Present for Town of Cedar Lake

Agenda Approval

Motion made by Edgar Corns to approve the agenda as presented. Second was made by Richard Sharpe. The motion carried by a voice vote.

Approval of Minutes - March 22, 2016

Motion made by Will Farrellbegg to approve the minutes. Second was made by Edgar Corns. Motion carried by a voice vote.

Superintendent's Report - March and April 2016

Superintendent Terry Wright reported that the plant ran well, with a lot of rain in April. Cedar Lake had a 55.7% flow. Acti-flo was operative, and it ran 20 mil gallons. There were three days with 16 mil gallons produced, which contemplates a basic spring rain episode.

The plant did have a problem with clarifier #2 as it broke. Terry quoted pricing for clarifiers #3 and #4 previously for repairs. There is nothing left to the collector, and it has to be replaced. He can get it done fairly cheap, or get pricing to strip everything out. The gear drives are 40-plus years old. New metal will affect existing gear boxes and the torque. He will get a price for a complete overhaul, and believes that it will cost $10,000 to $12,000 to repair metal. It would be a quick fix, but it may not be a good fix.

Councilman Corns asked if the plant was hurting without it. Terry said not really that it is one of the smallest tanks they have; there are four big tanks. The two that he wanted fixed are 40-foot clarifiers. If they go down, IDEM will step in and demand that they fix it. It would only handle 2.5 mil gallons, and that is with no rain. Councilman Farrellbegg did not believe that the 40-foot clarifiers are used much. Terry added that only one is used when there is maximum flow; one is operated, but not the other.

Councilman Miller asked how much of a specialty item or repair this is. Terry knows of one tech and will look for another one unless Cedar Lake knows of any. Neil Simstad said that there were others out there. Councilman Corns, and others agreed, that it needs to be fixed right. Miller suggested looking into how things have changed over the last number of years. Perhaps something is available that works better to fit in that spot. Wright answered that the tank is deeper and smaller now with the same amount of capacity. They are deeper than the 40-footers. It operates the same, but the collector system is a bit different. Terry will email the quotes to Jill Murr for disbursement.

Neil Simstad commented on doing a $10,000 fix on a $300,000 repair; it's the cost of doing business. Jill suggested that a meeting could be called sooner if needed. Again, clarifier #2 has to be fixed. Wright was worried about clarifiers #3 and #4. It was #2 that just happened to break. A line needs to be dug up, but this can be done in house. He will seek pricing options for the repairs.

Lowell Town Council Update

Councilman Corns stated that they are building a new water tower for $2.1 mil. A new 10-inch line will be run for a half of a mile, and a new 10-inch shallow well. A deeper well will cause treating of the water due to fluoride. They are improving the water situation.

It was reported that Aunt Millie's Bakery located in Lowell. Currently, the site is for distribution, and the bakery will be running in a year. This facility will serve the entire Chicago market.

Cedar Lake Town Council Update

No update reported from representatives.

Old Business

Interceptor Inspection

Andrew Cochrane reported that both engineers are working to get the interceptor line televised. They will share information on contractors, and those contractors need proper certification to perform the work. The engineering firms will work out the specs, working with a contractor directly, and make sure compliance is followed for any bidding requirements. The line has not been televised since the 1980's, so every piece of information is required.

Phosphorus Removal

Cochrane reported that a letter was drafted to IDEM on May 23, 2016 for the last six months of progress for WWTP phosphorus compliance. Data is being collected and samples taken for options. A technical memo will be provided. Chemical removal is the quickest route as biological can be temperamental.

New Business

Rain Gauges

Two rain gauges are needed for Lowell to demonstrate that the wet weather installation is working properly. There are some locations suggested to keep an accurate record. Cedar Lake is installing Omnisite that would be comparable. All the Cedar Lake lift stations would be digitally recorded for rainfall and the like. The rain gauges used by Lowell cost about $300 each.

Approval of DPS Equipment Services Proposal - Clarifiers #3 and #4

The clarifiers were discussed in detail under Superintendent's Report. Terry Wright will get an updated proposal to include #2 with options.

Approval of M.J. Electric Proposal - Plant Generator Upgrade

Greg Shook had the contractor look at the wires for the plant generator. There was a utility emergency that Mr. Shook had to attend to; otherwise he would have been present to discuss the proposal. Terry Wright noted that he saw Duane's Electric, but was not familiar with M.J. Electric proposal. There was some discussion about running new wire, using existing conduit, etc. It was determined that no decision has to be made at this time.

Acti-flo Trash Rack Proposals

Andrew Cochrane reported that they are collecting information. Within the next 30 days, there will be a summary presented to Neil Simstad for review. Perhaps this could be discussed in July with the JMOB. The possible range of cost is $80,000 to $170,000.

Plant Paving Asphalt Proposals

Greg Shook requested that this item be tabled. Quotes will be available by the next meeting.

Small Projects

This item was tabled.

Written Communication

WWTP 2016 Operating Expenses - April 2016

Richard Sharpe commented on the cost of plant repairs. Jeff Sheridan explained that there were three items noted by Greg Shook. Mentioned were head works, non-potable, and a couple of pumps, which is why the cost is higher. Details are in the submitted report.

Tim Kubiak asked about a potential power failure with the existing cable situation. Terry Wright said this has been an ongoing issue. Tim added that we should expedite this matter and get it fixed. If the conduit is in good shape, it doesn't need to be replaced. Another meeting could be called to make a decision prior to the pre-scheduled meeting in August.

Jill Murr added that the 2016 goals are included in the agenda packet. Jill and Jeff Sheridan met to discuss accomplishing the goals. Next meeting, there will be a spreadsheet with some estimated costs.

Comments continued from Jeff Sheridan on the expediting of the proposals for the installation of electric cables. Terry Wright could not locate the names of vendors that were used since the original project in 2005. Neil Simstad said that they should be listed in the bid under the subcontractors. If not, they need to at least find a couple of vendor options and get some prices. Terry will look over the records again.

Public Comments

None.

Adjournment

It was agreed that there was no other business to discuss. Councilman Miller asked for a motion to adjourn. A motion was made by Will Farrellbegg, and seconded by Edgar Corns to adjourn at 1:34 p.m. A voice vote carried the motion.

Next meeting will be held at the Lowell Town Hall on August 16, 2016.

Respectfully submitted,

Amy J. Gross, Clerk-Treasurer
Town of Cedar Lake