Public Property Update

December 15, 2010

The wastewater main North of Oregon is complete at a cost of $11,000 over budget.  There were problems with unexpected construction difficulties and changing requirements. 

The new BP Station and Dairy Queen Restaurant on Washington Street are operating and connected to the City water and sewer system.

There was a meeting with Finance Commissioner Ken Williams, Tom Glendenning and myself on October 28th, with regard to storm water control financing.  When research is completed, a recommendation will be presented to the City Council.  Mandates by the EPA will require monitoring, maintenance and a funding source for storm water runoff control.  This could require changes in City Code and funding.

MDES has completed the GPS mapping of the Oregon water and sewer system, and the City now has located all mains, manholes and shut-offs.

Work on the wastewater upgrade continues and it has become very difficult with sub-freezing temperatures and snow.  Most structures are complete and equipment is now being installed.  We have had manufacturer representatives inspecting equipment for proper installation and this will continue until completion.  Delays in construction has made it impossible for the City of Oregon to dispose of the remaining sludge, therefore it has been decided that work will continue on everything to be done with the exception of the existing clarifier and tanks that are being reused with the upgrade.  With the first thaw of spring, major construction work on our existing equipment will begin and the project should be completed within the 500 day EPA requirement.

Work on our existing equipment requires that our system be by-passed and the EPA regulates the time frame that this can be accomplished.  The City will have 45 days to complete the work and be up and running, and inclement weather is not an excuse. 

Sjolstrom has installed two additional 50-foot deep wells for dewatering our existing clarifier so that high ground water levels will not impede progress.  One of these wells will be used in the future to provide untreated plant water for service work after the construction is completed.

There was a meeting November 17th with an EPA representative, CMT and the City of Oregon.  We were able to provide all the necessary documentation requests and there was an onsite project inspection.  This inspection was by an independent contractor for the United States Environmental Protection Agency regarding the $500,000 STAG grant for the project.  We will now have an onsite inspection by the EPA for the ARRA grant and EPA loan.