HomeMy WebLinkAbout20230807 - CC Workshop MinutesHastings, Minnesota
City Council Workshop
August 7, 2023
The City Council of the City of Hastings, Minnesota met in a workshop on Monday, August
7, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. in the Volunteer Room at the Hastings City Hall, 101 East 4th Street,
Hastings, Minnesota.
Members Present: Mayor Fasbender, Councilmembers Folch, Fox, Haus, Lawrence, Leifeld,
Pemble
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: City Administrator Dan Wietecha
Interim Public Works Director Ryan Stempski
Assistant City Administrator Kelly Murtaugh
Community Development Director John Hinzman
Mayor Fasbender called the workshop to order at 5:30 p.m., welcoming Council members and
Public Works Director Ryan Stempski to provide an update on PFAS. Stempski provided an
outline of the topics to be presented: status of the environmental review, the goals, an evaluation
of the options to address the issue, the costs associated with the preferred option, funding
sources, and next steps.
Stempski reminded Council that the current measurement standards that the six City wells adhere
to the current index and levels have been steady. However, the new standards are expected to be
released by the end of this year.
Stempski reported on the status of the Environmental Review by MPCA. Phase 1 is complete
and Phase 2 has started. They meet monthly to discuss the activities. The deliverables that we are
waiting on include modeling results, MGS complexities, and investigations of other potential
sites.
The study goals are to evaluation options to mitigate PFAS from drinking water, update the
water model to determine feasibility and cost estimates, and provide recommendations on the
most cost-effective solution.
The options include blending existing wells to dilute below the limits, construct deeper wells,
purchase treated water from St. Paul Regional Water Services, or implement treatment on
existing wells. Treatment is the only feasible option. Several treatment options were reviewed to
treat PFAS and continue to treat nitrates. The most common treatment technologies include
Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) and Ion Exchange (IX). The next recommendation is that the
system be decentralized (three vs one plant). This is preferred because the construction can be
phased, it provides operational flexibility and resiliency, wells can continue to pump into
existing pressure zones, and existing distribution mains are adequately sized.
Treatment facilities can be built alongside existing wells on City property and would be located
to accommodate City growth.
Stempski indicated that the City needs to consider not only project costs but also the operation
and maintenance costs. The capital cost for the treatment facilities is expected to be nearly
$70M, with annual operating and maintenance costs estimated to be $800K to $1M. The
Veteran’s Home wells also have PFAS concerns and the City may also serve this location in the
future.
The potential funding sources include water rates, 3M settlement funds, funds approved in the
Governor’s Budget, bonding through the state legislature, federal funding through the
Community Projects Funds or infrastructure law, or the state project priority list.
Stempski indicated that a lot of groundwork has been done to put the City in a good position to
continue moving forward. They will continue working with the Co-Trustees of the 3M settlement
funds and environmental attorney, prepare for upcoming state/federal grants, and continue to be
transparent with the public about the upcoming advisory and progress toward treatment. Council
support to continue these steps will be needed.
Council discussion on transparency and communication with residents and general support for
continuing to move forward.
The workshop adjourned at 6:47 pm.
____________________________ ______________________________
Mary D. Fasbender, Mayor Kelly Murtaugh, City Clerk