Rib Lake board approves mixer for water tower
The Rib Lake Village Board at its August 12 meeting approved the purchase of a mixer for the water tower.
KLM Engineering of Woodbury, Minn. gave a report at the July board meeting on the water tower inspection and needed repairs. Based on the inspection data, the report stated several miscellaneous structure modifications and repairs are required to bring the tank into compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations, American Water Works Association (AWWA) standards and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) standards. The cost for structural repairs and replacing the interior and exterior coating, including the containment and removal of the lead-based paint, is estimated between $420,000 and $450,000, not including engineering costs.
One of the items the report recommended installing in the tank is a submersible mixer to reduce the likelihood and magnitude of ice formation in cold weather and to prevent stratification in warm weather to improve water quality and reduce the necessity of chemical additives such as chlorine. The utility committee met to discuss the issue and recommended installing the mixer before winter rather than waiting until the village does the water tower project. Cost for the mixer will be $15,900 which the village will pay in two equal payments of $7,950 in 2020 and 2021.
The board also began the process of obtaining financing for the water tower rehabilitation project. Pat Morrow from MSA Professional Services told the board the DNR’s Clean WaterFund (CWF) and Safe Drinking Water Loan Program (SDWLP) ITA (Intent to Apply) and PERF (Priority Evaluation and Ranking Forms) are due in October. He said this will allow the village to know where it ranks in regards to receiving a low interest loan and/or principal forgiveness (grant) to finance the project. Based upon current interest rates set by DNR, Morrow said the village could fund the water tower improvements with a 20-year loan at 1.056 percent, and be eligible for a 60 percent grant in an amount not to exceed $500,000. He said MSA will assist Rib Lake with submitting an ITA and PERF for the Safe Drinking Water Fund Loan Program in October, which does not commit the village to proceed with the project or apply for the program at this time.
Morrow also updated the board on the progress on the cover for the sludge tank and the village’s CDBG grant application.
He said the delays have occurred due to COVID-19, but that MSA was still hoping to have the cover installed and other minor modifications made to the storage tank by the end of the year.
Morrow said MSA was still waiting to hear from the Department of Administration (DOA) about the village’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application for the Landall Street and McComb Avenue project. He said recent discussions with the DOA indicate the announcement of which grant applications will be awarded will be made on August 21.
The board approved a quote of $7,250 from Olson Construction of Rib Lake to replace the roof and install new gutters on the shelter in Lakeview Park. The village had earlier budgeted money in the parks and recreation fund to cover the cost of the project.
The board approved a request from Medford Cooperative for a $924.05 credit on its sewer bill for the Cenex station in Rib Lake.
In a letter to the village, the cooperative said one of the motor/condensers went out on the freezer and was told by the refrigeration repair company to run water on the unit to keep it cool in order to use the freezer. This was done for seven to 10 days in early May while the freezer was being repaired. The water ran onto the ground and did not go into the sewer system. Based on the June 2020 and June 2019 sewer bill (previous high bill), Medford Cooperative requested the $924.05 credit. Following a brief discussion, the board approved the request and would instruct Medford Cooperative if this happened again to contact the village right away so it can send someone to read the meter.
