09/18/2007 MinutesCITY OF GRAND ISLAlV'D, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
September 18, 2007
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a Study Session of the City Council of the City of Grand
Island, Nebraska was conducted in the Community Meeting Room of City Hall, 100 East First
Street, on September 18, 2007. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent
on September 12, 2007.
President Bob Meyer called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following members were
present: Councilmember's Brown, Haase, Zapata, Nickerson, Gilbert, Whitesides, Niema.nn, and
Meyer. Councilmember's Gericke, Carney, and Mayor Hornady were absent. The following City
Officials were present: City Clerk RaNae Edwards, City Attorney Dale Shotkoski, Public Works
Director Steve Riehle, and Finance Director David Springer.
INVOCATION was given by Pastor Gary Schulte, Evangelical Free Church, 2609 South Blaine
Street followed by the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
Groundwater Removal Study and Computer Model Presentation. Gary Mader, Utilities Director
reported that in July of this year City Council authorized Olsson Associates to update the 2002
Ground Water Model Study for future presentation to Council at a Study Session. Explained was
the geography of Grand Island and the ground water problems. The last seven years the city had
been in a drought with this year being a particularly wet year causing high ground water. Mr.
Mader updated the Council on the history of groundwater problems and. what the city had done
in the past.
Mr. Mader introduced Olsson Associates representative Kevin Prior who gave a PowerPoint
presentation updating the groundwater study from 2002.
Key issues presented were:
• Wet Basements
• Sanitary Sewer Infiltration and Residential Pumping to Sanitary Sewer
• Property Vahies
• Future Growth in Grand Island
• Discharge Location Options
Groundwater Dewatering Options:
• Deep/High Capacity Wells
• Shallow/Low Capacity Wells
• Horizontal Wells
• French Drain
Mr. Prior introduced Jeff Johnson who presented the following modeling objectives:
• Simulate existing water table conditions
• Evaluate aquifer response to pumping
Page 2, City Council Study Session, September 18, 2007
• Examine affects of pumping on contamination
• Examine affects of pumping and water disposal on existing surface water bodies
• Assess potential subsidence due to dewatering
The following modeling aspects were used to create the study:
• Utilized BMS - MODFLOW, MODPATH, and MT3DMS
• Utilized GMS's capabilities for data evaluation and exhibits
• Large data base for model
• Modeled worse-case scenarios including high and low water tables
Key points from past records showed whenever there was rainfall the ground water level
increased. In general, the water level had not exceeded the historical records. A computer model
was presented showing water draw down with dewatering wells pumping from 300 to 500
gallons a minute 24 hours a day for 365 days a year.
The following conveyance/disposal options were presented:
• Discharge of the water into the Wood River Diversion Channel just south of Stuhr
Museum
• Discharge of the water into the Platte River where it crosses Shady Bend Road
• Discharge of the water into the Platte River south of the Stuhr Museum, and using the
water for downstream industrial or other uses
The following modeling summaries were presented:
• Combination of low-and high-capacity wells meets project objectives
• System would consist of eleven 500 gpm wells in NW and seventeen 300 gpm wells and
one 1100 gpm in SE
• Maximum capacity is 11,700 gpm or 16.85 mgd
• Subsidence should not be an issue
• Discharge would need to be piped to the Platte River
• Surface water impacts are unlikely
Mr. Prior presented the probable costs for three alternatives ranging between $17,802,000 to
$23,385,000 and annual operation and maintenance costs ranging between $1,895,602 to
$2,343,582.
The following findings were presented:
• The opinion of costs for the construction of the capital improvements is $23,385,000.
Annual costs to amortize the capital improvements is $1,876,412 (20 yrs., i=5%).
• Operation and maintenance costs are estimated to be $467,170/year.
• Total cost of the project on a per resident basis is estimated at $44.00/month.
• Several potential methods of payment. to retire the capital costs and annual operation
exist.
The following financing options presented were:
• Nebraska Natural Resources Commission
Page 3, City Council Studv Sesaion, September 1S, 2(107
-Development Fund - Grants/Loans
Nebraska Cooperative Agreement/Water Action Plan
• District Creation
-Drainage District -Assessment of project benefits to the designated area
• Off-Set Water on the Platte River
-Market Water to Platte River Users
--Potential sources include: Downstream Communities and Industry
-Market Water to Environmental Agencies
--Potential sources include: Fish and Wildlife Service, Nebraska Game and Parks, State
of Nebraska Department of Water Resources/New Depletion Plan
• Utility User Fees
Wastewater Department
Water Department
• General Fund
General Fund -Municipal Bonds
The following people spoke concerning water problems in their homes:
• Liz Gerberding, 404 West 14~' Street
• Randy Stueven, 233 South Gunbarrel Road
• Vern Rempe, 1739 South Arthur Street
• Carolyn Bresee, 303 East Nebraska Avenue
• Jim Waters, 1733 South Arthur Street
• Ruth McDonald, 2525 Mill River Road
• Cyndie Larson, 2811 Circle Drive
• Dayle Schutte, 1742 Arthur Street
• Kevin Rathjen, 2509 Pioneer Blvd
Councilmember Nickerson commented on the options of dewatering and forming districts. In the
past these districts had been voted out and would likely be voted out again. Mr. Prior answered
the question as to how long a project would take -approximately two years. The problem would
be finding the Financing. Mr. Mader commented that it was possible of take the water to the
Platte River but would be very expensive due to the cost of discharging pipe.
Steve Riehle, Public Works Director commented on the detention cell on Stagecoach Road being
at ground water level thereby the cell had water in it continually. The five test dewatering wells
were discussed. Pulling water out of one area created a problem in another. The model showed
that the water needed to be piped south to the Platte River.
Craig Lewis, Building Department Director answered questions concerning changing building
code requirements to eliminate basements andlor regulate elevation. He said the council could
change the city code. Mr. Lewis explained the subsurface drainage.
Mr. Riehle explained the process of a dewatering district. Mr. Mader explained those city wells
which were contaminated were no longer in use. These wells would be used only for an
emergency.
Page 4, City Council Study Session, September 18, 2007
Discussion was held concerning costs and if the dewatering wells could be done in segments.
Mr, Johnson said it could be done but there would have to be bigger pipe put in and we would
have to plan for the future.
Discussion was held regarding a short term fix. Mr. Johnson stated there was no short term fix
and this project would take time to lower the ground water.
Comments were made by council that this issue needed to move forward. Council President
Meyer recommended that City Administration look into this and come up with a plan to be
discussed at the Council Retreat.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
~~1~~.
RaNae Edwards
City Clerk
1
0