COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE -Minutes 20100914
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE – CITY OF MUSKEGO (Approved)
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2010
Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order at 6:30p.m.
ROLL CALL
Mayor Johnson, Aldermen Snead, Harenda, Borgman, Werner, Soltysiak, Schaumberg, Fiedler.
Also present City Engineer David Simpson, Utility Superintendent Scott Kloskowski.
STATEMENT OF PUBLIC NOTICE
The meeting had been noticed in accordance with the Open Meeting Law.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
There were no issues with the agenda items listed.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
NEW BUSINESS
1. Discussion on storm water and sanitary sewer management alternatives.
Mayor Johnson thanked the residents in the audience for coming and explained that this
meeting is a work session for the COW committee to discuss how to improve our storm water
and sewer systems and what can be done to alleviate future problems.
City Engineer David Simpson gave an overview of the attached memo regarding storm water.
In response to the rain events this summer that caused flooding concerns for many citizens City
staff has been working to address these issues. He went on to explain how staff worked and
identified each step in the process:
Severity of the storms
Infrastructure operations
Priority classification
Problem areas
Storm water management requirements
Sanitary sewer systems impacts
Funding considerations
Recommendation for action by Committee is to direct staff to bring forward the following top
three areas of flooding concerns to the Public Works Committee immediately-
Area near the intersection of Longfellow & Saroyan
Area near Cornell & Catalina
Area near the intersection of Circle & Richdorf
Committee of the Whole meeting page 2
September 14, 2010
Ald Harenda questioned what the timeline was? Engineer Simpson stated this would be
presented to the Public Works committee on Monday September 20, and then consultants
would work on an alternative analysis (within a 90 day window) and bring those findings back to
Finance and Common Council for funding and approval.
Ald Werner asked about the impact on the lake and the process for DNR permitting for the
Circle and Richdorf Dr area? He also stated we need to do it right the first time and as soon as
possible. Engineer Simpson said because the close proximity to the lake the DNR would most
likely require a permit and which should not be a problem though sometimes the permits can
take 3-4 months to process. Also that it was dependent on funds and the earliest would be early
spring for projects to begin. Ald Harenda asked what could we do in the mean time? Engineer
Simpson said that city staff has already done cleanup of drainage areas. Ald Fielder suggests
that there be a scheduled cleanup on a rotation basis.
Public Utility Superintendent Scott Kloskowski spoke about the sanitary sewer system. Keeping
clear water out of the sanitary system is the best alternative to preventing storm related sanitary
sewer back-ups. Much of the clear water inflow and infiltration (I & I) originates on private
property. I & I comes in from many sources: leaking laterals, illegal sump pump connections,
power failures and surface flooding all contribute.
Some modification alternatives (see attached memo) to prevent basement backups are already
in place, modifications recommended for immediate approval and modifications recommended
for future projects at the various lift stations include:
Larger pump at the McShane lift station to increase capacity
Install permanent by-pass pipes
Install back flow prevention valves
Replace controls and move control panels above ground
Install additional by-pass pumps
Work with residents to reduce I & I
Superintendent Kloskowski stated that some recommendations for the Mcshane Lift Station and
the Freedom Acres Subdivision (see attached memo) include–
Adding 1 larger pump (design is in progress) which will add 5 million gallons per day to
the pumping capacity which is currently 10 millions gallons per days (about 50%
increase).
Install permanent by-pass and install another 6-inch by-pass pump.
Install black flow prevention valves.
He proposes back flow prevention valves for Freedom Acres homes that had flooding issues.
Inspect homes for ground water issues to make sure they are not contributing to the problem
and have the homeowner install back valves working out a reimbursement plan from the city.
Committee of the Whole meeting page 3
September 14, 2010
He also gave recommendations for the remaining lift station basins, which included –
Purchasing by -pass pumps
Installing back flow prevention valves, hung plumbing or grinder pumps in all homes at
risk.
Work with property owners to eliminate sump pump related inflow.
On private property alternatives to remove I&I some recommendations are as follows:
Identify homes that are flood prone and require flood proofing.
Homes that cannot be flood proofed could be bought and demolished.
Install lateral trench dams in the sewer and water lateral to prevent water from flowing
into the home foundation drainage system.
Identify homes whose sump pump system is inadequate.
He also thought that the DNR would be okay with a permanent by- pass to avoid flooding basin
–as it has only happened 5-6 times in the last 20 years. There is a possibility of that some of
these projects would be eligible for funds from MMSD.
Mayor stated that he received information this afternoon that the city’s insurance company was
denying all claims from the flooding. This will be discussed at a future finance committee
meeting. He then opened up the floor for a few questions from the audience.
Some of the concerns brought forth were as follows:
Priority list – how determined.
Why does flooding happen with only 1 – 2 inches of rain?
Values of their homes going down.
Muskego Drive – has problems all year
Bluhm Ct – why is the water going north? When it should be going east. Backing up from
Tess Corners Creek causing problems.
Muskego Dr – has problems all year.
Mayor Johnson stated that his goal is to stop all sanitary sewer flow into basements by next
summer – solutions are not easy or cheap and these recommendations would be going before
the Public Works committee on Monday, September 20, 2010.
ADJOURNMENT
Ald. Snead moved to adjourn at 7:45 p.m. Seconded by Ald. Harenda, motion carried
unanimously.
Cindy Schweitzer
Secretary