The public works committee reviewed the study and recommended to do the analysis and for SEH to prepare paper work to submit a preliminary loan application to the state of Minnesota. SEH had done a pilot study earlier in 1996 and one of the recommendations was to do a hydraulic distribution system analysis. “The analysis will place the Paynesville water and sewer system on a computer grid and tell us where the pipes are too small and where they are adequate,” Ron Mergen, public works director, said. “The analysis will also look at our future well needs, and how we can take pressure off the system. SEH had recommended doing several others things as well, but the city can’t afford to do it all,” Mergen told the council. “The hydraulic analysis was the least costly item on the list.”
“Everything we have is on one end of town, the analysis will show us what is needed and how a storage tank on the west end will affect water pressure in town,” Mergen added.
Pete Carlson, engineer with SEH, explained the state received $42 million for a revolving loan fund. They are asking cities for input on how to determine the criteria for distribution of these funds. The fund is to help cities upgrade their waste water plants with low interest loans.
The council authorized Carlson to send a letter of intent to help with upgrading the citi’s system.
•Mergen informed the council the public works committee reviewed the west end lift station and recommended a new lift station be built. “The present lift station was designed for residential use, not expanding businesses,” Mergen said. “We explored retrofitting the present lift station versus building a new lift station. The existing lift station is too small and it wouldn’t do justice to put in new pumps. A new lift station would take care of the area’s future needs.”
Mergen recommended assessing the cost of the new lift station to the businesses along Highway 23, south of Main Street. The cost of the lift station is estimated between $60,000 and $70,000.
The existing lift station was installed in 1969 and could not handle the additional sewage flow last summer after the opening of the motel.
•The public works committee reviewed and discussed the present snow removal policy and felt the only assistance the city should offer would be in wet, slushy-type snow and the decision would be left up to the city administration. The council discussed the possibility of the city doing all the sidewalk snow removal in town. Mergen said this would cost between $5,000 and $6,000 to do the sidewalks.
City attorney Bill Spooner said the city doing the snow removal could create a nightmare of liability for the city. He recommended the city not be responsible for clearing the snow city wide. “I don’t feel it is a practical solution,” he added. Mayor Voss reminded the council the sidewalks were a trade-off situation. The city would pay for their installation and the homeowner would maintain them.
•The council approved the cigarette and liquor license applications for 1997: cigarette licenses, Koronis Lanes, American Legion Post #271, Jim’s Standard Service, Paynesville Municipal Off-Sale, Paynesville Farmer’s Union Co-op, Jerry’s Jack and Jill, G&T Foods, Denne’s Dog Haus, Casey’s General Store, The Outdoor Store, Corner Drug and H&L Express; liquor license, Denne’s Dog Haus and American Legion Post #271.