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Council approves study for private septic transfer station, requires applicant to pay $12,500 engineering quote
Summary
The council approved a motion to proceed with an engineering study for an M and M Construction septic transfer station and amended the approval to require the company to pay the quoted $12,500 study cost; staff emphasized legal requirements for a public purpose and recommended using Strand (the treatment facility engineer) for the scope of work.
The Galena City Council voted to approve consideration of an engineering study for a proposed private septic transfer station operated by M and M Construction and amended the motion to require the applicant to pay the study cost.
City staff told the council that private firms normally cannot use city infrastructure for profit unless the city documents a public purpose and executes a municipal-private contract; staff said the engineer recommended siting the facility at the city’s treatment plant for control and that Strand (the treatment-facility engineer) should perform the study. Staff provided a written scope and a quote for the study: "The quote is $12,500 to do that work." (staff presentation)
Council members debated whether the study was necessary and who should pay. Supporters said the study should be done to understand technical, legal and liability issues; several council members said that if private profit is expected the applicant should pay. The council amended the motion to include payment by M and M Construction for the study and recorded the amendment by roll call. The amended motion passed.
Council directed that the study be performed by the engineer identified in staff materials and that payment arrangements and any recapture agreement be addressed in the subsequent negotiation. Staff noted outstanding questions about liability, indemnity, and whether a recapture mechanism would be part of an eventual agreement. The motion authorized the study only; no final agreement to site or operate a transfer station was approved at the meeting.
The transcript records the following specific details: staff cited a $12,500 quote for the scope of work; the applicant had signaled willingness to advance half up front and negotiate a recapture agreement; Strand was named as the engineer recommended to perform the study. The record does not show a final written municipal-private contract or a determination that a public-health agency (EPA or otherwise) required the transfer station.
