Lowell-Cedar Lake Joint Management and Operations Board

Meeting Minutes

Date: November 28, 2018

Location: Cedar Lake Town Hall

Call to Order

Meeting was called to order by Cedar Lake Councilman Richard Sharpe at approximately 1:00 p.m. Pledge of Allegiance followed.

Cedar Lake Representatives

Lowell Representatives

Approval of Agenda

Motion made by Will Farrellbegg with second by Edgar Corns to approve the agenda as submitted. All in favor by voice vote.

Approval of Minutes - August 15, 2018

Motion made by Edgar Corns with second by Will Farrellbegg to approve the minutes of the August 15, 2018 meeting. All in favor by voice vote.

Superintendent's Report

WWTP Superintendent Terry Wright stated the plant is running. The phosphorus system is up and running. They are in compliance with IDEM requirements. They had an issue with the trash rack but they added larger motors and made adjustments at the control panel. It has been working well for the last month.

Old Business

1. Equalization Basin Liner

Mr. Cochrane stated the EQ Basin at Lowell has a portion that is 40-mil and the other is 100-mil thick. The 100-mil portion was installed in the 1980s and is approaching its service life. The 40-mil portion was replaced in 2005. The issue with that is staff cannot get onto that liner with heavy equipment. In May 2018 IDEM inspected the plant and commented about the liner condition and the inability to clean it.

They initially investigated replacing the 40-mil liner with 100-mil HDP liner. That would be the least expensive option. The lining manufacturer expressed concern with getting good bonding between the older existing lining and the new one.

Mr. Cochrane discussed other liner options. They estimate the 100-mil HDP liner at a cost of $650,000-700,000 to replace. The 45-mil polypropylene is roughly the same. They recommend the JMOB bid three mandatory alternates; once they get pricing they will evaluate alternatives. They would like to have a pre-bid meeting with the contractors and get feedback on the ability to bond between the existing and the new liner.

Mr. Cochrane recommended they approve a bid date for the EQ Basin and the Interceptor Rehabilitation.

2. Interceptor Rehabilitation

Mr. Cochrane reported that the drawings are 90% complete. Specifications are close behind. The overall goal was to minimize construction costs. They received cost on piping at an extreme number. They didn't feel it was the best course. The pipe itself looks to be in pretty good shape. Necessary repairs include injection grouting and cleaning of the interceptor as needed in order to make necessary repairs.

Mr. Farrellbegg asked if there was a lot of debris on the videos. Robin reported most of the videos showed only a 20-30% full pipe. Discussion continued on infiltration and necessary cleaning at certain points.

Action: Mr. Farrellbegg made a motion to have the pre-bid meeting on January 8th at 10:30 am and the bid opening on January 22nd at 10:30 am. All in favor by voice vote.

Mr. Cochrane stated they need to figure out what to do with the property owners. Discussion continued on the number of those property owners that were agricultural. A brief discussion occurred on the last time they held a meeting and how many were in attendance. An opening meeting was suggested.

Action: A motion to have the bid opening for the interceptor rehabilitation on January 22, 2019 at 1:30 pm was made by Mr. Farrellbegg with second by Mr. Corns. All in favor by voice vote.

3. Flow Monitoring

Mr. Cochrane stated they are in the early stages of assessing the data. He stated he would share the data with Cedar Lake.

4. Interceptor Televising and Locating

Bloodhound sent an email to Mr. Sheridan on 11/27/18 wanting payment. To date they have been paid $37,863.09. They are requesting payment of $18,252.21. They are seeking payment for everything they have completed and turned in.

Mr. Sharpe asked if that was a legitimate request. Mr. Cochrane stated they've done the work. It's not the best quality but it was done. Discussion continued on declaring Bloodhound non-responsible.

Mr. Kubiak asked if there were any penalties for them not completing the work. Mr. Cochrane stated there was a previous conversation on not pursuing damages.

Mrs. Murr asked who the attorney for JMOB was. It was unclear if an attorney was ever designated for JMOB.

Action: It was decided to have Lowell's attorney, Mr. Westland, review and write a written recommendation to JMOB on the payment request and moving forward with declaring Bloodhound non-responsible. It was also decided to have him draft the termination letter as well.

5. Long Term Control Plan - IDEM Communications

Mr. Cochrane stated IDEM would like an ordinance update from Lowell to reflect language of the NPDES permit. Mr. Sheridan stated it is drafted and will be on the next Lowell Council Work Session.

6. Headworks Building

The water line has not begun yet. They previously approved for a new grit washing. They found it for approximately $95,000. It will be installed in house except for the electrical work but that should keep them under the original estimate of $110,000.

7. Actiflow Repair

Mr. Gray stated this repair has been completed.

New Business

1. 2019 Meeting Schedule

Mrs. Murr asked Mr. Cochrane about holding a special meeting for the bid award. It was decided to have the next meeting on February 20, 2019 in Lowell at 1:00 pm. They will complete the schedule of meetings at that time. Depending on the bids received in January they may call a special meeting if work can begin sooner.

2. WWTP Current Capacity and Provision for Expansion

Mrs. Murr reported all the work being done ties into planning for future capacity. Both communities are growing and they are trying to plan fiscal dollars and be responsible.

Mr. Wright reported that Lowell is at 1.1 of the 2 million allotted to them. He gets that by the number of customers tapped into the service.

Mr. Simstad estimated Cedar Lake has approximately 6,700 customers. Mr. Wright estimated Cedar Lake is at 80%.

A brief discussion continued on calculating capacity and the flow from Cedar Lake and Lowell.

Written Communication

WWTP Operating Expenses - Previously sent.

Public Comment

None.

Adjournment

The meeting was called to adjournment at approximately 2:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Jennifer N. Sandberg
Clerk-Treasurer
Town of Cedar Lake