Rice Lake staff report lead testing plan, set follow-up inspection after sewer noncompliance

Assistant city administrator Rather Murphy reported to the Rice Lake City Council that the city submitted a copper and lead testing site list to the Minnesota Department of Health for approval for August 2026 sampling and expects to resubmit an updated list after confirming homeowner participation and disqualifying homes with in-line filters or softeners. "An updated lead service line inventory will be submitted to the Minnesota Department of Health by the deadline of June 30th," Murphy said.

Murphy also told the council that a commercial customer, Boomtown, failed to meet requirements in its annual sewer inspection in December and "remain[s] non-compliant," and that the owners have been sent a violation letter outlining required corrections and the possibility of fines. Murphy said city staff will conduct a follow-up inspection the week of June 22 to determine whether Boomtown has come into compliance or whether fines will be imposed.

On infrastructure coordination, staff and councilors reported work on the St. Louis County Road Corridor project has reached roughly 30% design. Staff said the corridor work includes extending water and sewer under the road, relocating hydrants, valves and manholes and coordinating input from three engineering firms and county engineers to minimize future re-digging.

Murphy said he is training Kim Sarby to take on utility management duties such as utility billing and customer accounts; Sarby will be the city's primary customer contact for utilities while Murphy shifts toward broader assistant city administrator responsibilities. The utility report was prepared by Rather Murphy, assistant city administrator.

The council did not record a detailed roll-call vote on these operational items in the transcript; the report reflects staff updates and planned administrative follow-up rather than new ordinances or council-directed appropriations.