Posted: 12/11/02

Wyoming will review water rates

Alice Pickering
Wyoming Area Reporter

Wyoming City Council will review residential water rates at the first meeting in January. Special commercial rates may be considered, the council said during its meeting Monday, Dec. 2.

Currently, city of Wyoming residents pay a flat fee of $30 a quarter for 15,000 gallons of water. Sewer charges are $54 a quarter, with an additional $2 for the storm water fund. There is no difference between commercial and residential users of water in the city right now.

Water use above 18,000 gallons a quarter is charged at a higher rater. This has been the conservation practice of the city for the last two years.

As example, City Engineer Lee Elfering presented data from Little Canada, where first and fourth quarter fees are $2.15 per 1000 gallons used. Second and third quarter rates, when typically more water is consumed, rates rise to $2.23 for the same amount of water. The rate difference is the Little Canada approach to encourage water conservation.

According to Elfering, there is no difference between residential and commercial water rates for that city. Elfering offered a municipal rate survey completed by Howard R. Green for review.

There is a difference in that cityís sewer rates. Residential rates are set for the first quarter. Commercial use is adjusted each quarter.

Raduenz said rates in Little Canada may be lower per 1000 gallons used, but Wyoming has a 15,000 gallon minimum, although some residents use much less than that, perhaps between 8000 and 9000 gallons.

There is a critical point where enough money must be raised with the water and sewer rates to maintain the system, he said. Rates are set in Wyoming to provide for a designated reserve, to repair and replace equipment.

Water for Wyoming is tapped from the Mt. Hinckley aquifer, which underlies a good portion of the Twin Cities area. Within the seven-county metro area, the DNR requires a license to pump from the aquifer.

Wyoming lies about three miles outside this area. No license is required, but the city must get permission from the DNR to use the aquifer.

Water conservation practices in Wyoming, including the odd-even lawn watering system, were instrumental in getting DNR permission to drill a third city well. The new city well is about 750 feet deep, underneath a protective rock layer.

According to City Administrator Dennis Coryell, Wyoming has ìsome of the best water in the nation,î with enough iron and manganese to give the water flavor, but not to stain clothes.

In order to minimize use of treated, potable water for irrigation, some larger businesses are drilling their own wells for irrigation. Coryell said for a few thousand dollars a well 70-100 feet deep can be dug to supply water for lawn irrigation, just as Fairview Lakes Medical Center has done recently.

The task of the council is to establish fair water rates that strike a balance between fair consumer price and providing enough money to maintain the cityís water system, Coryell said.

Council would like to adjust the water rate for commercial users, recognizing that most are conserving water. One approach is to set a higher threshold for when the higher water rate kicks in. There may also be some adjustments in the quarterly sewer rate, recognizing sewer volume for most businesses does not correspond directly with the amount of water used.

Council has been considering a list of the biggest water users in the city, including Fairview Lakes Medical Center. Water use there approaches 1.6 million gallons a year. However, the facility just completed a new shallow well to supply water for the cooling system and irrigation. This should dramatically reduce the use of treated city water.

Gajeski permit

Council was unanimous in a vote Monday, Dec. 2 to extend for 60 days a final decision in the matter of Gene Gajeskiís request for an excavation permit. He requested the permit for a low spot behind his home, 26731 Finley Ave., where water tends to pool during wet years.

Several neighbors are also affected. He does not want to lose more of his trees and backyard area during wet years. City approved development to the east of the site about 1985 and it is believed to have contributed to the drainage change.

The planning commission recommended denying the permit because of neighborsÇ concerns about the damage a heavy truck would do to the bike path getting to the area, disposition of the dirt, and who is to pay for the project. According to Gajeski, the first objections he heard to his proposal were at the public hearing last week. Up to that point he thought neighbors supported his proposal.

After walking the bike path/easement, Gajeski said the bike path is clear and only one tree would have to be removed for a truck to drive on the trail. In addition, the ground is frozen and would not be torn up.

In addition, Gajeski said he does not want to dig a hole, but to shape a shallow, sloped area to contain water. His proposal is to make the deepest area only about two-three inches deep.

Council member Paul Raduenz observed the drainage from development east of Gajeskiís property has created a pond, when the subdivision was put in. Regulations about storm water drainage for new construction are more stringent now than they used to be.

In a letter written earlier this year, Mark Graham, former city engineer, said the pond had gone beyond where it was originally located. City Attorney Tom Miller said the area in question is not a city pond or wetland.

Normally, if there is no council action taken on a permit request, a permit is automatically granted after 60 days. This is to insure a timely decision and generally benefits the applicant.

In this case, Gajeski will benefit by not having the expense of making another permit application. The additional 60 days will give Gajeski time to explain plans further to neighbors and get them on board with his proposal. Council reserves the right to grant another extension.

Police account

Forfeited vehicles are sold at auction, with the proceeds deposited into police forfeiture account. This fund is used for additional equipment or vehicles. It is legal to have an account for police purchases, but it should be under the councilís control.

In a letter to the council, Auditor Steve McDonald said the current accounting procedures do not meet state requirements. The account should be under the control of the city council or contact must be made with the state auditor.

The purpose of the control is to provide a better accounting of the funds. Haag commented that there is the need for ìmore control and oversightî of this account. Attorney Miller is to check information with the bank. According to information at a recent conference, Council member Lynn Koalska learned oversight of police forfeiture accounts is an issue in many cities.

In his report, Coryell said building inspector Jack Kramer has signed a contract with the state to review plans for other buildings on the hospital campus. Coryell said good fees for the city are to be made on the plan reviews.

Universal Building Code chapters are being sent to cities. This is a table with expected market value of the homes. Building permit fees now do not come close to reflecting market value of homes. Coryell anticipates this to change.

Other business

In other business, council:

ïLearned police officer Jackie Karels is on a brief leave.

ïLearned the park board has started a grading plan for Goodview Park. Plans are to include final drainage, provision for underground electricity in parts of the park.

ïLearned the public works department is ready for winter.

ïLearned there are complaints about the odor generated from capping the land fill at the east end of Wyoming.

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