Meeting Information
- Date:
- Monday, February 1, 2021 (Note: Meeting was called to order on February 2, 2021)
- Time:
- 2:00 P.M.
- Called to Order By:
- Lowell Town Council member Mike Gruszka
Attendance
Members Present
- Councilman Mike Gruszka (Lowell)
- Councilman John Yelkich (Lowell)
- Councilmember Ralph Miller (Cedar Lake)
- Councilmember Richard Sharpe (Cedar Lake)
Also Present
- Town Manager Craig Hendrix (Lowell)
- Director of Public Works Kevin Gray (Lowell)
- WWTP Operations Director Don Woodard (Lowell)
- Jon Borgers from Wessler Engineering (Lowell)
- Rick Eberly, Town Manager (Cedar Lake)
- Tim Kubiak, Director of Operations (Cedar Lake)
- Neil Simstad, Engineer (Cedar Lake)
Agenda Approval
Richard Sharpe moved to approve the agenda as presented, seconded by John Yelkich and carried with four ayes.
Approval of Minutes
Ralph Miller made a motion to approve the minutes from the October 13, 2020 meeting, seconded by Richard Sharpe and carried with four ayes.
Superintendent's Report
Operations: Director Don Woodard stated the plant is running good, and said the fine-screen rebuild will be done on February 22nd.
Lowell Town Council Update
Town Manager Craig Hendrix stated the two towns having been working together and have pledged one million each for improvements at the plant.
Cedar Lake Council Update
Cedar Lake Town Manager Rick Eberly stated Cedar Lake Town Council had approved the one million dollar match for improvements at a previous meeting.
Mike Gruszka asked for an update on the proposed projects. Town Manager Craig Hendrix stated the immediate improvements recommended are estimated at 2.2 million and include items #1 thru #6 on the proposed projects dated October 13, 2020, which includes:
- UV System Replacement
- Replacement of existing Stand-By Power Generator
- Replacement of Non-Potable Water System
- Belt Filter Press Improvements
- New Equalization Basin Pump Station
- Aerobic Digester Improvements Phase IA
He stated they would like to move forward on the engineering for these projects as some of the projects will be bid out this year but may take until next year to complete. Town Manger Hendrix stated both staffs from Lowell and Cedar Lake have been communicating to keep everyone informed.
Old Business
Long Term Control Plan
Town Manager Hendrix stated part of the Long Term Control Plan with IDEM is to improve the measuring of rain events, as they believe the Actiflow should only be used in smaller rain events. Mr. Hendrix said he would like to see the town out from under the Long Term Control Plan, but IDEM is resisting, and said the basin pump station project will allow to drain down the basin. He believes we will have to have at least one year of data to IDEM on how the ActiFlow is used before they will remove that regulation.
Tim Kubiak asked what is the point of the pump station. Public Works Director Kevin Gray stated gravity will not provide the basin to empty in a timely manner and the force main will draw the water from the basin quicker. Don Woodard stated a problem he has is that Cedar Lake's basin will empty but Lowell is still full and the pump station will make it easier to hold Cedar Lake's back and split the flow more.
WWTP Evaluation Update - Wessler
The complete evaluation of the plant with five year capital recommendations of improvements will be forwarded to Cedar Lake.
Capital Improvements Project Update
Includes the projects previously stated.
2021 YTD Expenses
A print out of all operating expenses through 12/31/2020 had been provided to JMOB members. Discussion followed on the total expenses as the print out showed $1,179,117.64, but should of stated $1,534,757.98. A budget of $1,757,657.10 had been approved for 2020.
Richard Sharpe moved to approve year to date expenses, contingent upon the report being corrected, seconded by John Yelkich and carried with four ayes.
New Business
Wessler Task Order #7 - Recommendation from JMOB to Lowell Town Council
A proposal has been received from Wessler Engineering in the amount of $277,000.00 to provide engineering services for the design and bid phase of the plant improvement projects.
Cedar Lake Engineer Neil Simstad asked if the Combined Sewer Overflow Long Term Control Plan revision was related to the plant or was part of the Lowell collection system. Mr. Hendrix stated it was a revision of the plant to include the construction of the pump station as requested by IDEM.
John Yelkich moved to send a favorable recommendation to the Lowell Town Council to enter into the agreement, seconded by Richard Sharpe. The motion carried with four ayes.
2021 Proposed Operating Budget
A proposed operating budget in the amount of $1,714,176.00 had been submitted. Members agreed to table to next meeting until the 2020 operating expenses were updated.
Other Discussion
Ralph Miller asked about Cedar Lake Police Department using the Lowell Police Gun Range. Mike Gruszka stated Lowell is between Police Chief's at this time but it will be worked out before Spring.
Public Comments
No comments.
Adjournment
No further business, Ralph Sharpe moved to adjourned, seconded by John Yelkich and carried at 2:32 P.M.