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Early council approves $111,700 amendment for well design; officials warn potential water‑rate increases
Summary
Council approved a $111,700 addition to the well design and bidding agreement and discussed the reliability of Well 2, potential water‑rate increases tied to well loans, and a range of infrastructure work including televising and street patching.
The Early City Council on July 1 approved an amendment to its Well Design Services agreement to add Phase 3 — final design and bidding services — for $111,700. The motion, made by Councilor Brian Pickhinke and seconded by Councilor Brandon Scadden, passed on a roll call vote with Councilors Pickhinke, Scadden, Madden, Langner and Tiefenthaler voting aye.
W. Boyer of engineering firm Bolton & Menk was present to answer council questions. Council also tabled a separate proposal to preserve RO Trains 1 and 2 during an extended shutdown until staff could determine how preservation funding would align with State Revolving Fund (SRF) guidelines.
Public Works Director Kris Alesch described current well performance and operational concerns: "The wells are both up as high as they have ever been, running Well 1 our draw down at 115gpm is at 3ft, Well 2 drawn at 115gpm is at 7ft plus. Our static level is there but the water replenishing and the water being able to come back in is not." Alesch said that because replenishment appears unreliable, the city cannot be confident that it could safely exit conservation status and reenter without DNR objection.
Alesch outlined related work: softener installations nearing completion (pending PVC piping and cabling), underground piping connections between a new building and the old building slated to start (weather permitting) the third week of July, and a televising project by Rehab Systems to inspect main lines and tile lines behind houses that may require excavation and additional costs. He also said street patching is planned with an estimated 3–4 loads at roughly $3,000 per load installed.
Council and residents expressed concern about potential utility rate increases tied to the well project and related loan obligations. The City Clerk noted garbage rates increased July 1 (inside city limits +$0.69; outside city limits +$1.37), and said the city will need to consider raising water rates to keep the water enterprise self‑supporting given loan obligations. Residents voiced upset at that prospect during the meeting.
The council directed staff to gather additional information about the RO Train preservation proposal and the financing path under SRF rules and to return with recommendations at a future meeting.
