Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout8D - Wilds Phase I 1 J PREPARED BY: SUBJECT: DATE: INTRODUCTION: DISCUSSION: STAFF AGENDA REPORT (J ~~ANK BOYLES, CITY MANAGE~R (X \ CONSIDER SUBSTITUTION OFHCt;i- TATION AND FORCE MAIN INSTEAD OF GRAVITY SEWER FO ILDS PHASE 1 MAY 16,1994 This item is to be removed from the May 16 Council agenda for possible consideration at a future meeting. This memorandum provides the Council with an update on the issues and actions underway on this subject. I have phoned Council members to advise you of the pluses and minuses of the request we have received to include a lift station and force main in lieu of gravity sewer along C.R. 82 for The Wilds. On Friday, May 13, Larry, Tom Roschar and I met with Dick Burtness, Mike Morley and representatives of Dunnick Bros, Inc, to see if we could solve this problem. I told them I could not support a lift station given the following facts: 1. On the average we experience at least one problem with each lift station per year. The problems are more or less severe, but there is a correlation with a higher number and more severe problems as the stations become larger and more active. 2. Most lift stations have a "reaction time" of four or more hours from breakdown to actual destruction of property or environment. The one proposed for The Wilds would have a maximum of ~ to ~ minutes notice before damage would take place. This is simply not sufficient advance warning. 3. Any overflow would affect the pond next to Fremont at C.R. 82 first, the lake second, and if very severe, the houses which would be part of the development west of Fremont and south of C.R. 82. 4. The reliability of the lift station could be improved by adding another pump, an electric controller and generator. These items, however, add cost to the station and additional maintenance burden which the city will ultimately inherit. 5. The life cycle costs of the lift station for Prior Lake utility users will be approximately $365,000. The gravity system would not entail such maintenance costs. -1- 4629 Dakota St. S.E., Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (612) 447-4230 / Fax (612) 447-4245 AN EQUAL OPPORTUNIlY EMPLOYER T r. ~ I 6. The installation of a lift station could reduce the number of buildable lots or influence the style of housing which may be undertaken on the southwest corner of C.R. 82 and Fremont Avenue. ISSUES: 7. Maintenance of the lift station is difficult given its likely depth of over thirty feet. We discussed gravity versus lift stations in light of these facts. Dick Burtness indicated that he did not want to lose a life simply to reduce maintenance costs. Dunnick Bros. Inc, confirmed that the work can physically be done, but indicated that there is a cost for the difficulties they expect to encounter. Finally, we discussed the financial responsibilities that The Wilds have accepted under the development agreement for trunk work versus costs for utilities needed only to support their development. At the conclusion we agreed to: 1. City - remove this item from the May 16 agenda recognizing the need to gather additional information in order to make a recommendation to the Council. 2. City - ask a second company to review the soil samples to see how extensive the steps must be to render the site safe. 3. City - request that another construction firm provide a cost estimate to install the gravity sewer to compare against the Dunnick bid. If it is the same, then there may be more reason to talk about a lift station. If lower, there will be reason to discuss the discrepancy. 4. Dunnick - have Dunnick provide a cost estimate for hooking up the water on the south side of C.R. 21 rather than the north side as originally anticipated. This allows for prompt water hookup without impacting the installation of the gravity sewer. Prompt hookup of the water and booster station would allow the city to provide certificates of occupancy earlier provided adequate arrangements have been made to dispose of the sewage. 5. Dunnick - evaluate alternatives for providing storage for sewage in the event the lift station fails. Such storage would increase the time between breakdown and damage to property or the environment. 6. Dunnick - provide a letter to the city confirming that the booster station and all parts which were not identified in their original letter are on order and confirm the timeline for installation. 7. City - check with the Dakota Community to see if they would be interested in paying any of the oversizing costs along C.R. 82 recognizing that, ultimately, they will need more flow, particularly, if a hotel is to be added in the vicinity of the casino. -2- ,.~-,.,.~-,......_~._,-, .. .. . . RECOMMENDATION: AGN80WRT Once the ~bove information is gathered, we intend to meet again to determine the position which should be taken with respect to a lift station or gravity sewer. I confirmed again with Dick Burtness that we could expedite the issuance of certificates of occupancy once the water and booster station are installed and that sewage can be pumped to the sewer trunk line prior to final permanent connection. Stay tuned.............. -3- . -