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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991.02.20 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES~t MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING 02/20/91 State of Idaho) County of Madison(ss City of Rexburg) Present were the following: Mayor: Nile Boyle Councilmembers: Farrell Young Darlene Petersen Bruce Sutherland Nyle Fullmer Excused: Glen Pond Brad Liljenquist Also Present: Rose Bagley, City Clerk J. D. Hancock, Attorney Richard Horner, Treasurer Pledge to the flag. RE: APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES A motion was made by Darlene Petersen and seconded by Nyle Fullmer to approve the minutes. All Aye. RE: ORDINANCE 715 READ FOR THE 2ND READING Mayor Boyle read Ordinance No. 715 for the second reading. AN ORDINANCE EXPRESSING THE INTENTION OF THE CITY OF REXBURG TO TRANSFER CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY HEREINAFTER FULLY DESCRIBED BELONGING TO THE CITY OF REXBURG AND WHICH HAS CEASED TO BE USED FOR PUBLIC PURPOSES; PROVIDING THAT AND THAT NO TRANSFER OCCUR UNTIL SIXTY DAYS HAVE EXPIRED FROM THE DATE AND PASSAGE OF THIS ORDINANCE, AS HEREINAFTER FULLY SET FORTH; AND PROVIDING THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS ORDINANCE. RE: REPORT MADE ON THE WASTWATER TREATMENT PLANT Dave Thibault was at the meeting to make a report on the meeting with Henry Moran, Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, about the Wastewater Treatment. Both Henry and Dave think in the next 10 years our system will not be able to meet EPA requirements and we would be forced at that time to go to a mechanical plant that would cost between five and ten million dollars. Dave explained to the council that the city is faced with an immediate problem that is the plant schedule that EPA issued us a while back. We just received our new permit, which we have been operating under since Dec 7. We have had a lot of discussions with EPA about our sampling and what we are sampling for. They have tried to force on the city was a 1 milligram per liter ammonia limitation, which is almost nil. The plant is currently operating between 15 and 18 milligrams per liter ammonia, with a high of 29 almost 30 on the last test. With all the new rules and regulations handed down from EPA, he feels that the lagoon system we have wont be capable of handling the limitations that EPA will be forcing on us. We are good for the next five years, but with the results that we are giving EPA on the Ammonia and the ambient water monitoring we will have to start doing March 1 or April 1, we will probably have to monitor the river monthly and also the biomonitering they will probably revise the current permit and put an ammonia limitation on us so we will have to do some other things out at the plant. The life expectancy of the plant when it was built about 11 years ago was 20 years. We will be facing a new permit in about 5 years. He did not feel the lagoon system would handle it. There are several options. We could discharge to a larger body of water like Snake River or Henry's Fork, which would give us more of a mixing zone. It would cost several thousands of dollars to run a pipe out there. We will have to see if it is feasible to do this. We are doing additional testing and getting new equipment to comply with EPA's permit to us for the next 5 years. ~~ RE: OPTIONS TO BRING THE CURRENT SYSTEM UP TO COMPLIANCE Mayor Boyle stated that we need to put up for bid all the current improvements and repairs and do that this summer. We then need to apply DEQ for a feasibility study grant. We have some options (1) dechlorihation, (2) piping the water to the North or South Fork for better mixing, (3) to use wet lands application, or (4) we could buy 100 acres or more and do a direct land application. We could study those four options. A motion was made by Bruce Sutherland to immediately let bids to bring our current system up to compliance and also apply for a DEQ feasibility study grant. Seconded by Nyle Fullmer. All Aye The mayor said it would cost under $50,000. RE: DISCUSSION OF SPRAY PLANES CONTAMINATION Members of the Airport Board, Gerald Taylor, Chairman, Kent Jolley and Richard Smith were at the meeting and also Dave Kelsey with Dave Kelsey Flying Service. Gerald told the council that Dave Kelsey and Randy Luke have a flying service at the airport for spraying. A couple of years ago there was a lot of complaints about the noise. At an expense to them they put larger and additional equipment on their planes to permit the propeller from breaking the sound barrier to make the planes more quiet. In addition to that the board had ask them to fly a wider pattern and they have complied. Gerald said we had applied for a grant to expand the airport. We were awarded a grant to resurface and to restructure the runway. It will take 90 days to do it. There is another problem with the spray planes. They have been mixing their chemicals at the airport. Sometimes the chemicals spill on the ground, which causes environmental problems. This is a serious situation. Richard Smith explained the situation. About three months ago he and Roger Porter had been given the assignment to investigate how we stand on various issues. At that time it was brought to their attention the EPA study that was completed in 1988. They conducted a field examination in 1988. The study took soil samples at a level of 6 inches and also 5 feet deep and also of the wells that are the loading site as well as well samples at the county shop and Village Green Trailer Park. There is contamination at the loading site from chemicals loaded in the airplanes over the last 10 to 20 years. They conducted water samples and they did find traces of chemicals in the ground water. All the traces at the site were below the level you would call contamination. At the county shop and Village Green Trailer court the traces are below levels that you would call contamination. The chemicals noted in those two wells were not associated with the chemicals used by the sprayers. Their conclusion is that the contamination in the ground wells can not be attributed to the loading operation. We don't have a pollution problem in the ground water wells. There is a certain amount of pesticide herbicides in the soil between the 6" level and the 5' level. They suggest a containing system be installed and greater care be used by sprayers. The board discussed the problem and made a motion to require sprayers to use a contained system while operating out of Rexburg Airport and a motion was also passed that the city pass an ordinance to enforce this rule with penalties. Something needs to be done to assure we don't have contamination in the future. Gerald Taylor stated that Randy Luke was asked to attend the meeting and but is in California and unable to attend. There was a motion at the Airport Board Meeting that we have the spray plane operators put in a containment system and that their system get the okay from Forsgren and Associates and the board. It has to be done this year. Richard Smith said he felt we should have some teeth in the ordinance and if it is violated there would be some penalties involved. Dave Kelsey said in Blackfoot they put in a concrete pad large enough for an airplane to sit on and anything that is dripped on can be rinsed ~3 into a tank daily. Any hazardous materials kept over 30 days you are considered storing hazardous waste. We have been more careful the last 5 years. He had no problem with it and felt it should be done. It will cost $15,000 to $20,000. You should keep it out of the ground water or not be able to use the airport. Kent Jolley said they had talked about it in great length. The State and Federal Government does not have any regulations for building the containment. The EPA says you have to do something to prevent the pollution of the ground. If this practice continues, EPA might require the soiled soil to be removed and hauled away it would cost millions of dollars. The liability would be with the city. Gerald Taylor said we need to address the problem in order to get any funding. Dave Kelsey said he had talked to several airports that are using the bacteria culture called Super Bug and they say it does decontaminate the ground. Richard Smith said Lee Erickson had used it in Mud Lake and has been able to plant grass in the area. Gerald Taylor said the containment project would cost between $15,000 to $35,000, so Mr Kelsey and Mr Luke would need a few years to get their investment back. Mr Kelsey said everyone uses different chemicals so he suggested that each operator put in his own system. Gerald said the board would like to have it built in June or July when they are surfacing the runway. The mayor thought Nyle Fullmer, J. D. Hancock, Roger Porter and Richard Smith should get together and draw up an ordinance. Richard Smith ask if they could say that sprayers cannot operate out of the airport without a containment system. The mayor said the city did not have any other choice. If anyone loads that does not have a containment system they would have to pay Dave Kelsey to use his. Kent Jolley said he would like a motion that the Airport Board was not to permit a spray plane to load without without using a containment system and make it effective as to the time of completion of when the airport is reopened and give the board the guide to get the ordinance prepared and also the authority to close the airport to any spraying activity unless it is operated off of a containment system. That the containment system be approved by the board and the city engineer. RE: MOTION PASSED TO REQUIRE ALL SPRAY PLANES TO LOAD WITH A CONTAINMENT SYSTEM A motion was made by Bruce Sutherland and seconded by Nyle Fullmer that the Airport Board not permit a spray plane to load without using a containment system, effective at the time the airport is opened after the resurfacing and give the airport board the authority to prepare an ordinance and authority to close the airport to any spray planes unless they use a containment system and that the containment system be approved by the board and the city engineer. All Aye RE: FUNDS TO BE USED IN RESURFACING THE RUNWAY Gerald Taylor stated that funds to be used to resurfacing the runway did not come out of Taxpayers money. It comes out of gas tax and tickets put in a special fund. Kent Jolley said they need a copy of the advocation easement so we can get it extended. RE: REQUEST FROM THE TABERNACLE BOARD TO FORM AN UPPER VALLEY CULTURAL ARTS COUNCIL The Tabernacle Board have requested that the city form an Upper Valley Cultural Arts Council. The group would assist the Management Committee in promoting visual and performing arts in the Tabernacle Building. The mayor stated that he would get some recommendations from Ann Zollinger. RE: REPORT ON GARBAGE TRUCKS The mayor told the council that he, Farrell, and Vern had gone to Logan to look at Garbage Trucks. They would like to fly 4 or 5 to Oklahoma to look at their factory. RE: PROCLAMATION OF CAREER WEEK FOR MADISON HIGH SCHOOL Mayor Boyle made a Proclamation to declare Career Week for Madison High School March 18 to March 22. A motion was made by Nyle Fullmer and seconded by Bruce Sutherland to declare the proclamation. All Aye RE: APPROVAL OF THE BILLS A motion was made by Bruce Sutherland and seconded by Darlene Petersen to approve the bills. All Aye A motion was made by Nyle Fullmer and seconded by Darlene Petersen to adjourn. All Aye. Mayor, Nile L. Boy e .~ City Clerk, Rose agl IJ~