City Council Work Session

CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION Cedar Falls Duke Young Conference Room May 6, 2019 The City Council held a special work session in the Duke Young Conference room at 5:00 p.m. on May 6, 2019, with the following persons in attendance: Mayor Jim Brown, Tom Blanford, Susan deBuhr, Rob Green, Daryl Kruse, Mark Miller, and David Wieland. Staff members attended from all City Departments. Tom Nelson with the Waterloo Courier also attended as well as members of the community. Mayor Brown then introduced the first item on the agenda, Wastewater Regionalization. Stephanie Sheetz, Director of Community Development stated in 2016 INRCOG helped coordinate a study to be completed for an area wide sanitary sewer update. She explained the last study was done in 1973. She stated nutrient reduction is required for those states along the Mississippi River. Ms. Sheetz explained the outcomes of the current study, including a regional system can be done and Waterloo Wastewater Treatment facility has capacity; however it is recommended that additional/detailed analysis of costs, a condition assessment of the Intercity Interceptor and review of the structure for management of the regional system be completed. Ms. Sheetz reviewed cost estimates for the area wide sanitary sewer regionalization; comparing costs if each entity remained individual or if they joined the area wide system. She stated the City of Cedar Falls individual cost compared to regionalization is currently estimated to be $76.5 million and $50 million respectively. Mike Nyman Water Reclamation Manager reviewed the current Wastewater Treatment facility. He stated the $76.5 million in updates are for the current facility from our 2016 master plan, and he explained the cost to relocate the facility is estimated to be $300- $500 million. He reviewed the future needs of the plant and a cost plan forecast. He explained there are items that need to be reviewed as we continue to explore this regionalization plan. He reviewed a chart for 2018 Nutrient Loadings for Phosphorus and Nitrogen. Mayor Brown opened it up for discussion and questions. Mr. Nyman stated with the investment of $76.5 million this would extend the life of the plant 50- years. Ms. Sheetz stated a regional board would be established to management the area wide sanitary sewer system. There being no further discussion, Rob Green motioned to adjourn the work session, Daryl Kruse seconded the motion, and the motion carried unanimously. Mayor Brown adjourned the meeting at 5:32 p.m. Minutes by Lisa Roeding, Controller/City Treasurer