Coleman Okays Contracts For Plan Work On TID-2, Wastewater PlantIssue Date: March 17, 2022 At back to back meetings on Monday, March 14 Coleman Water and Sewer Board and Coleman Village Board heard proposals for engineering services from consultants from Cedar Corp.
After hearing their options, the Water and Sewer Commission authorized Cedar Corp to prepare an engineering services addendum to be presented at the April utility meeting. The work will most likely be done in phases over a five to eight year period.
The wastewater treatment plant handles sewage from both the Village of Coleman and Village of Pound.
Cedar Consultant Thad Majewski said their wastewater treatment expert, who participated in the meeting remotely, would do a walk-through of the facility and send a letter to the DNR explaining where they are in terms of dealing with phosphorous removal. He will look at probable costs, lay out what needs to be done now and what can be delayed, and prepare a letter for the DNR.
Majewski showed photos of cracks forming at the waste water treatment plant, and explained need for roof repairs and need for upgrades to electrical service.
Dennis Gross asked why Coleman could not have retention ponds like Abrams and Kelly Lake have, rather than the standard wastewater treatment plant, and was told that ponds are said to be far less effective than the treatment facility used at Coleman, and the decision may have to do with limits on discharge into the river, which need to be met no matter what kind of treatment they have.
Cedar Corp. is to have a report for the DNR before the end of December as to what their plans and specifications will be for the improvements.
Majewski said the had previously told the DNR that there was a potential developer coming in on the south end of the village, but that remains unsettled and they are now at a point where they need to move forward with things as they are.
Among long-term options are an aeration upgrade, which could cost about three quarters of a million, versus destruction and then construction of a bio-tower, which could cost $1.4 to $1.5 million.
Majewski advised, "If you expect the village to have a significant growth spurt, build a new bio-tower." He said financing may come from the DNR Clean Water Fund, which includes a principal forgiveness program (another word for grant) and/or from Rural Development, from which a grant and loan were received in 1999. He said the recent bi-partisan spending bill did put more money into the Clean Water Fund.
Rural Development looks at how much they feel the village can afford to spend on a water bill and provides funding on that basis. Majewski said Cedar Corp can run the numbers to tell them what the impact will be on water bills, and the agency may knock their interest rate down farther, or increase the forgiveness portion, if they feel it is too expensive for the community.
The board approved a motion to have Cedar Corp do a phased plan for the phosphorous removal and the other work and bring it back to their next meeting, which will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, April 11.
Utilities Supervisor Darrel Olson said the DNR is making them do more and more testing in connection with meter replacement, and right now meters are hard to get. Commercial meters must be checked now, but residential ones can wait.
The board approved a motion to do the businesses now and re-check for residential when the meters are available.
Olson reported the recent sanitary audit was good.
Treasurer Jim Karban reported the operating funds are in the negative. On a good note, here are only two delinquent accounts that will go on the tax roll later this year, and they have no water usage.
"Just so everyone knows, all this money that has been spent isn't because of us, it's because of the DNR...and there's a lot more coming," Declared Village President Glenn Woulf.
The Utility meeting ended, and the Village Board meeting began. It was the final meeting for Trustee Tim Gould, whose term ends after the election on April 5. Gould, who is not seeking re-election, said he has enjoyed his time on the board. Woulf said they will miss him.
Majewski explained the Cedar Corp. proposals for engineering services in connection with the TID #2 improvements, in terms of both time and scheduling. He proposed that they design it all now, but put plans for work to be done in 2023 and 2024 on the shelf, "to be ready to go out for bids whenever you are ready."
Work to be done in fall of 2022 includes installation of storm sewer and construction of a gravel road for the area being developed. The TID construction area involves a road to a cul-de-sac centered in the village-owned property north of MacArthur Drive.
To a question from Woulf, Majewski said cost estimates for the work are not yet done.
Engineering Contract for the design/bid phase at a lump sum cost of $23,900 was approved by the board. The construction phase was quoted at $32,900 to $36,450, based on an hourly cost Wetland delineation is already mostly done, but more work may be required.
Majewski said there will be applications for Community Development Block Grant funding for next year, once the plans are drawn.
The board approved a license liquor and tobacco licenses for the Piggly Wiggly store. The board was told that Pelkins has sold their Piggly Wiggly business, but not the building, to Chad Mursau and his wife, who will hold the licenses and take over the building soon. Village Clerk Lori Gross said they will operate as Mursau Foods, LLC, but will keep the Piggly Wiggly name and the Pelkins' Piggly Wiggly staff.
Woulf read a letter from Crime Stoppers thanking the village for its contribution. He said Spring Cleanup Day is scheduled for Saturday, May 7, and the Village Wide Rummage Sale is set for Saturday, May 14.
Woulf thanked Gould for his years of service on the board, and congratulated the Coleman wrestling team for its victories, and the Coleman girls and boys Basketball teams for being Conference champions.
Coleman Fire Department will hold a meat raffle at Kyle Fortier's Bar starting at 1 p.m. on Sunday, April 10. The department responded to one roll over and one MABAS call since the last board meeting.
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