ELY CITY COUNCIL

SPECIAL WORKSHOP MEETING

February 1, 2010

6:30 p.m.

Mayor Jim Doyle called a special workshop meeting of the Ely City Council to order at 6:30 p.m. on Monday February 1, 2010 in the Council Chambers at Ely City Hall.  Mayor Doyle reported this is the meeting that was originally scheduled for January 25, 2010 and was postponed due to inclement weather.  Council Members present:  Stephanie Mai, Bob Ballantyne, Kay Hale, Bill Grove, and Dale Stanek. Also present:  City Engineer Scott Pottorf, Ed Brinton, Public Works Director Ron Stark and Aaron Anderson, City Administrator/Clerk.

The City Council met in special session, pursuant to notice as required by State Code, to conduct workshop sessions regarding the Water Tower and Water System Improvements project and preparation of the FY 2010-11 Budget.

Stanek moved to approve the agenda as presented, second by Grove; motion carried – 5 to 0.

Workshop re: Water Tower and Water System Improvements Project.  City Engineer Scott Pottorf updated the City Council on the status of Department of Natural Resources (DNR) review of Ely’s preliminary engineering report for the Water Tower and Water System Improvements Project. Mr. Pottorf then explained options regarding constructing improvements to the water system to create two different zones in the distribution system to minimize increased water pressure in the lower elevations of Ely after construction of a new water tower, or alternately to maintain one “pressure zone” and one tower and encourage water customers in lower elevations to install pressure reducing valves for their property.

Mayor Doyle and the City Council members discussed this matter with Mr. Pottorf, Public Works Director Ron Stark and City Administrator Aaron Anderson.  Items discussed include, but are not limited to: operation and maintenance requirements for the various options, whether additional treatment is currently proposed or considered, benefits and detriments of installing pressure reducing valves in the general water system compared to encouraging individual customers to install pressure reducing valves and other topics. 

Grove moved to direct City Engineer to proceed with designing water system improvements to construct a single 375,000 gallon water tower and single pressure zone, with the condition that the City is to offer an equitable share in the costs to residents for installing pressure reducing valves and establish a policy for the city to participate in the cost of replacing water service lines from curb-stop to house that fail within one winter of the new water tower going online; second by Hale.  The motion passed – 5 to 0.

Workshop re: FY 2010-11 Budget.  Mayor Doyle and the City Council members participated in a workshop session on preparation of the FY 2010-11 budget.  Items discussed include property tax rates; budgeting expenditures for employee compensation, economic development activities, park and recreation activities, trail design and use of local option sales tax and TIF funds, and other topics.

Stanek moved to adjourn, second by Mai; motion carried – 5 to 0.  Mayor Doyle declared the meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

                                                                        James E. Doyle Jr., Mayor

Attest:

Aaron Anderson, Clerk/Administrator