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Minutes: City Council Meeting of February 4, 2020

The Carmi City Council met Tuesday, February 4, 2020, at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Room of the Municipal Building, 225 East Main Street.

Prior to opening the council meeting, Mayor Pollard asked Alderman Winkleman to give the invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. 

Mayor Pollard presided with the following Aldermen present: Steve Winkleman, Mark W. Blake, Tracy Nelson, James Totten, Jeremy Courson, Sheila Jo Headlee, Mike Knight, and Doug Hays.      

The minutes from the January 21, 2020, council meeting were presented.  Motion was made by Alderman Totten and seconded by Alderman Hays to approve the minutes as presented.  The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.” 

For council consideration, discussion, and possible approval

  1. The pay request for Brown and Roberts, Inc. for the Industrial Drive Project was presented for approval.  They are requesting 50% of their fees which is $42,500.  The City must first pay the $42,500 and then we will be reimbursed $21,250 by the Economic Development Administration.  This project is scheduled to begin by April 30th and has to be completed within 100 days.  Alderman Headlee made a motion to approve the 50% pay request of Brown and Roberts, Inc. for the Industrial Drive Project which is $42,500.  The motion was seconded by Alderman Winkleman.  The motion carried on roll call by each Aldermen present answering “yes.”  
  2. Jim Brown and Matt Tosh from Brown and Roberts, Inc. were introduced to discuss the timeline on the phosphorus reduction requirements from the IEPA for the Waste Water Treatment Plant with possible consideration of IEPA Energy Efficiency Grant and/or IEPA loans.  Mr. Brown stated the IEPA has designated $1,000,000 statewide for phosphorus removal projects via an IEPA Energy Grant.  He stated the applications for this grant are due by February 28, 2020.  The maximum grant is 85% of the project cost.  In order to apply for the grant, an energy assessment is required.  The City has had an energy assessment study in the past which provided the findings of a project cost of $127,500 and a payback period of 3.1 years.  This was replacing two of the four rotation brushes and did not include any engineer fees nor installation fees.  Mr. Brown stated they have completed additional studies which indicates a project cost of $605,000 for four sets of brushes, engineering, and installation costs with a project payback of 46.5 years.  The City’s minimum share of 15% estimated the cost to the city at $90,750.  Mr. Brown stated the firm will complete the application process for the IEPA Energy Grant at a cost of approximately $3,000 to the City.  Alderman Hays made a motion to allow Brown and Roberts to complete the grant application process for the IEPA Energy Grant for approximately $3,000.  Alderman Blake seconded the motion.  The motion carried on roll call by each Aldermen present answering “yes.”

Mr. Tosh then addressed the Council regarding the NPDES permit.  He stated the new effluent standards for phosphorus are being set.  He also stated the NPDES permit has been issued to the City effective September 1, 2019.  He gave the following timeline for phosphorus compliance:  

  1. Special Condition 16 – Phosphorus Discharge Feasibility Study to be completed by March 1, 2021.
  2. Special Condition 17 – Phosphorus Discharge Optimization Plan to be completed also by March 1, 2021. 
  3. Special Condition 20 lowers the effluent limit from 1 to 0.5 mg/L total phosphorus over a 12-month period.  

There are a couple different avenues available in order to comply with the upcoming changes.  Mr. Tosh stated a complete rebuild/replace of the Waste Water Treatment Plant with new sludges beds, equipment etc. was an option with a timeline of a report being issued by 2025 and construction complete by 2035.  The second option is a construct/operation of a biological nutrient removal with nitrogen removal with a construction deadline of 2035.  The third option is for additional chemicals for the reduction of phosphorus which would have a construction deadline of 2025.  The addition of more chemicals could cost at least $30,000 a year.  Mr. Tosh stated the addition of more chemicals would also cause more sludge.  At the current time, the phosphorus average is around 2.  After discussion, the Council will table further action on the NPDES permit until a future meeting.

Reports and/or updates from Mayor Pollard

  None.

Reports from Standing Committees

None.

Business or Comments from Visitors

None

Closed Session to discuss personnel and property issues with action to follow:

None.  

Adjournment

At 5:55 p.m. Alderman Headlee made a motion to adjourn.  Motion was seconded by Alderman Courson.  The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.”

    

Cynthia J. Attebury, City Clerk

Jeff Pollard, Mayor