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5.8. SR 10-28-2002City MEMORANDUM Item #5.8. TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: Mayor and City Co~n~ Michele McPhersoi~, Director of Planning October 28, 2002 Consider Mining Area Utility Feasibility Study Attachments · October 24, 2002 Letter from the City Engineer Request The City Council is asked to consider authorizing a feasibility study regarding the ability to provide City sewer and water to the gravel mining area. Analysis As is outlined in the City Engineer's letter, staff has been approached by Tiller Corporation regarding the future development of their property near the County Road 33/Highway 169 intersection. If City services were provided, the area would develop differently than if individual well and septic systems were required. This question is also of interest to the Comprehensive Plan Update Task Force as they enter into a series of exercises designed to help them develop future land use scenarios. Information like that being requested would be of assistance to them. The gravel mining area is uncharted territory and to provide the best plan for the future, the feasibility, both technically and financially, of providing services to this area is important to know. Recommendation If the City Council authorizes this study, there may be very little expenditure if the answer to the first question in the Engineer's memo is "no", no further study is needed. Monies for this study would likely come from Council Contingency. S:\PLANNING\MICHMC\CCREPRTS\10 28 02 Utility Feasibility.doc Howard R . Green Oompany October 24, 2002 File: 230000M-0325 Ms. Michele McPherson Director of Planning City of Elk River 13065 Orono Parkway Elk River, MN 55330 RE: UTILITY SERVICES TO GRAVEL MINING AREA Dear Ms. McPherson: I have been recently approached by representatives of Tiller Corporation regarding the potential servicing of their property at the southwest quadrant of Trunk Highway 169 (TH 169) and County Road 33 (CR 33) with City sanitary sewer and water. As you are aware, Tiller Corporation's mining activities in this area are expected to be complete in approximately three to four years. In fact, the City has been working with Sherburne County and Tiller Corporation to facilitate a realignment of CR 33 and CR 77 through this property, including a significant lowering of CR 77 to better fit with development of the property after mining is complete. In thinking about this request, I believe the City will likely be asked similar questions as other mining operations come to an end. Perhaps it would be appropriate for the City to do an initial feasibility study of the potential of serving the entire mining area between TH 169 and the abandoned railroad bed with City services. This area is shown on the attached exhibit. Knowing the answer to whether or not any or all of this property can eventually be served with City sanitary sewer and water services may help with the Comprehensive Plan update currently underway. I would envision the general scope of this type of study to include the following items: · Determine if topography (after mining) and proximity of the area to the wastewater treatment plant allows providing sanitary sewer service to this portion of the City. · With your help, a general look at the types of land uses, which may be appropriate for this area, assuming City sewer and water can be made available. · Based on these land uses, an analysis of an amount of sewage flow generated and water consumption needed as the area would develop. · An analysis of the existing sanitary sewer collection system to determine if there is excess capacity which could be used to pump sewage flow from this area into the existing collection system. If there is excess capacity available, determining the amount of gravel mining area that could be provided sewer service by simply pumping the sewage flow to the existing collection system. Ltr-102302-McPherson[1] 1326 Energy Park Drive · St. Paul, MN 55108 · 651/644-4389 fax 651/644-9446 toll free 888/368-4389 Ms. McPherson October 24, 2002 Page Two · Assuming there is not capacity for this entire area, determination of the size of lift station and forcemain and routing necessary to convey sewage generated from this area to the wastewater treatment plant. · An analysis of the needs for water production, treatment and storage necessary to serve the potential land uses of the area. Determination of whether or not it would be better to extend the existing water system northward into this area, or construct an independent, free-standing water system. · An analysis of the wastewater treatment plant capacity now and through future expansions, relative to the potential for new sewer flow generation from this area. This would include a cursory review of the current urban service area relative to potential sewage flow under a fully developed condition versus the potential ultimate capacity at the wastewater treatment plant site. · A preliminary estimate of the major components necessary to provide sanitary sewer and water service to this area. This would include gross assumptions on the necessary trunk system to service the area. The purpose of the cost estimating would be to determine whether or not the extension of City services appears to be financially feasible, and if so, how large an area needs to be provided these services to make it financially feasible. I do not anticipate any fieldwork being necessary to complete a study of this nature. I believe the necessary information is available in the Gravel Mining ElS, information from the latest wastewater treatment plant expansion and our knowledge of the existing sewer collection system. Assuming the answer to the question of whether or not this area can be provide sanitary sewer service from the existing wastewater treatment plant is yes, I would estimate that it would take approximately 45 to 60 days to complete this study and that the cost would be approximately $25,000. As with other studies of this nature, I assume you will want Tiller Corporation to put up a portion of the cost for the study. I would suggest they be asked to escrow $10,000 towards the total cost of the study. If you have any questions regarding this issue or would like to discuss it further, please call. Sincerely, Howard R. Green Company TJM:sgw Enclosure Ltr-102302-McPherson[1] Howard R, Green Company CONSULTING ENGINEERS 2000 1326 ENERGY PARK DRIVE ST.PAUL.MINNESOTA 55108 ~~- (651) 644-4589 ~' IHoward R Green Company CONSULTING ENGINEERS PROPOSED ADDmON TO URBAN SERVICE AREA