Mountain Lake City Council also approves crack-filling, seal-coating, dust control
The call went out for bids for equipment for the City of Mountain Lake’s new sub-station by members of the Mountain Lake City Council at the Monday, April 18 meeting of the city government unit.
The major pieces of the project, 10/14 MVA transformer, 69KV circuit switcher and air-break switch, and 5KV indoor switchgear, are being bid now, with the remainder of the project to be bid when the delivery date of the major pieces is known. The transformer is expected to arrive anywhere from 26-to-52 weeks after the bid is awarded.
Bid opening is scheduled for Tuesday, May 24.
Milk Specialties (MSC) will need additional power in 2016. They will be adding a reverse osmosis polisher to treat and allow re-use of the “reject water” from their reverse osmosis process. This water is currently sent to a pond adjacent to their property. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has mandated that the water be treated after November 30, 2016.
In addition, MSC wants to add another 1000 horsepower (HP) for additional equipment.
This will require larger transformers and lines on the property. Mike Thielen, electrical engineer of Utilities Plus Energy Services, feels the additional 1000 HP will cause problems with the existing sub-station.
In order to support MSC’s needs, it was determined that upgrades, including a new sub-station of quality construction to provide long-term electrical service to Mountain Lake’s residents and businesses, should be undertaken.
It may be necessary to generate power locally from the generators at the Municipal Power Plant at times after MSC installs the equipment, and before the sub-station is complete.
The new sub-station will be located on the east end of the city, near the industrial park.
Streets approved for crack-filling, seal-coating, dust control in 2016
Street Superintendent Rick Oeltjenbruns reviewed with council members the streets to be seal-coated and crack-filled in 2016 and the approximate cost. The gravel streets to receive dust control were additionally reviewed, with no changes made from 2015.
The council approved the streets to be crack-filled, seal-coated and dust-coated, and also authorized the solicitation of stockpile gravel quotes.
Streets to be crack-filled are one block of 8th Street – and sections of 6th Avenue, Prince Street, 11th Street, 9th Avenue and 10th Avenue.
Streets to be seal-coated include portions of 8th Street, 9th Street, 15th Street and Prince Street.
The city’s usual budget for the work is $25,000. An additional $30,000 will be spent in 2016 due to the one-time “city assist” transportation allocation authorized by the 2015 Minnesota State Legislature.
The Cottonwood County Highway Department, with the help of the city’s street department, will complete the work.
In other business
+ Reviewed the hand-out that accompanied the presentation by Tim Miller, rate analyst at Missouri River Energy Services (MRES) to the Utility Commission at a Monday, April 18 meeting. The commission will consider the study again at its Thursday, April 28 meeting, and begin preparation of a recommendation to the council for base, rate and class changes.
+ Met with members of the Mountain Lake/Odin/Ormsby Sportsmen’s Club (MLOOSC) concerning the group’s shooting range. The range has been on city property on the west side of the second wastewater treatment pond since 1983. The club will be applying for a grant to improve lighting at the range. Lead shot in the pond could potentially be an issue when the ponds are rehabbed in the next two-to-three years. The problem and possible solutions were discussed. It was agreed that MLOOSC should continue using the site and consider solutions with the city as they appear.
+ Reviewed the first quarter billing of the Mountain Lake Public School’s indoor swimming pool. The city has agreed to help the school district’s pool operating losses in 2016 up to $15,000. The city’s share of the first quarter loss is $2,911.76. No action was taken.
+ Hired Kolander Tree Service, at a cost of $5,750 (utility share – $600, city share – $5,150), and sell the wood to Kolander for $250 for 2016 tree removal. Eight sites will have trees removed this year as part of the Tree Commission’s ongoing work. Three quotes had been received.
+ Waived special assessments on four tax-forfeiture parcels on 9th Street South. Justin Davison is interested in purchasing six tax-forfeiture parcels in that area, including the four that have special assessments. The parcels are not on the tax rolls and Cottonwood County maintains them.
+ Heard a first reading of draft language to amend the minimum standards, public nuisance and grass mowing sections of Mountain Lake City Code to address trees growing along foundations and flowers growing outside of established flower beds. The amendments were reviewed and discussed.
+ Addressed public nuisances. James Johnson owns a lot on Boxelder Street where wood for heating is stored. Johnson had received a warning letter from the Mountain Lake Police Department because the wood does not meet the requirements of Section 8.15 of Mountain Lake City Code; it is not stacked is too close to the property. Per Johnson’s request, the council waived enforcement on this parcel – provided Johnson continue to use the wood for heating, making an effort to use up the wood and that any new wood brought to the parcel be stacked to meet city code requirements. Council members additionally reviewed the list of 16 properties whose owners had received public nuisance letters. Two properties have also received criminal citations. The council directed Mountain Lake City Attorney Maryellen Suhrhoff to seek court orders to enter these two properties to abate the public nuisances.
+ Approved agreements with the Public Facilities Authority (PFA) in connection with the 2012-2014 Utility and Street Project extending the disbursement cut-off date from June 30, 2016 to June 30, 2017 for the Clean Water Revolving Loan Fund and the Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund.
+ Discussed the information flyer for, and aspects of, the city-wide clean-up scheduled for Saturday, May 7. No action was taken.
+ Approved a resolution declaring Friday, April 29 as Arbor Day in Mountain Lake.
City of Mountain Lake Meeting Dates
+ Mountain Lake City Council meets the first and third Mondays of every month at 6:30 p.m.
+ Utilities Commission meets the second and fourth Thursdays of every month at 7 a.m.
+ Economic Development Authority (EDA) meets the second Friday of every month at 12 noon.
+ Lake Commission meets the second Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m.
+ Library Board meets the second Wednesday of every month at 4:45 p.m.
+ Police Commission meets the second Thursday of every month at 7 p.m.
+ Planning and Zoning meets the last Monday of the month, if needed.
+ Tree Commission meets quarterly – January, April, July and October – at 7:45 p.m.
