01/31/2006 Minutes
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OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA
MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
January 31,2006
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 Council Chambers of City Hall, 100 East First Street, on
January 31,2006. Notice of the meeting was given in the Grand Island Independent on January
25, 2006.
Mayor Jay Vavricek called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following members were
present: Councilmember's Meyer, Whitesides, Pielstick, Gilbert, Nickerson, Pauly, Hornady,
Walker, and Haase. Councilmember Cornelius was absent. The following City Officials were
present: City Administrator Gary Greer, City Clerk RaNae Edwards, Finance Director David
Springer, City Attorney Doug Walker, and Public Works Director Steve Riehle.
INVOCATION was given by Councilmember Jackie Pielstick followed by the PLEDGE OF
ALLEGIANCE.
MAYOR COMMUNICATION: Mayor Vavricek commented on the City Council Retreat which
was held Saturday, January 28,2006. Mayor Vavricek listed the 33 goals for 2006/2007.
Waste Water Treatment Plant Update. Public Works Director Steve Riehle reported this was an
update regarding activities at the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). Introduced were Ben
Thayer, Wastewater Treatment Plant Superintendent and supervisory staff Brad Titman, Mike
Hargins, Roger Scott, and Fred Tustin from the WWTP.
Mentioned was the responsibility for operation and maintenance at the WWTP with 27 full-time
staff operating 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. An average of 12 million gallons of sewage
was treated every day with approximately 60 percent of the plant's sewage coming from 10 large
customers. Mr. Riehle explained the process of the wastewater collection and treatment at the
plant. The current wastewater treatment plant was built in 1964.
Mr. Riehle stated the WWTP regulatory compliance record was outstanding. The funds available
were generated by sewer use fees which goes back into the WWTP capital improvements and
operations of the plant.
The following were projects completed over the last three years at a cost of over $11 million:
. Belt Filter Press
. Aerobic Digesters
. Polymer System
. Grit Handling
. Sludge Storage Lagoon
. Primary Clarifier Improvements
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Page 2, City Council Study Session, January 31, 2006
. Secondary Clarifier Improvements
. UV Disinfection System
Tom Heinemann, Consulting Engineer from CH2M Hill presented a progress report since his
presentation to council on July 9,2002. Reviewed were the sewage sludge handling and disposal
methods.
Phase I - was completed in February 2005 which included a belt filter press (BFP) system,
digester modifications, and grit handling equipment in the amount of $8.4 million.
Phase II - Improvements included grease improvements, short-term secondary clarifiers, short-
term primary clarifiers, and polymer system modifications in the amount of$0.8 million to date.
Phase III - Consider off-site compo sting, vortex grit removal system, and install primary clarifier
NO.3.
Phase IV - Install secondary clarifier No.4.
Mr. Heineman stated that progress toward the goals had been made eliminating 3 primary odor
sources which included: sludge holding/dewatering facilities, aerobic digester, and sludge
storage lagoon. Mentioned were challenges imposed by NDEQ and changes in conditions
including increased flow and organic loading from Swift, regulatory compliance, and odor.
The City's response to these challenges were presented as follows:
. WWTP had remained in compliance with permit
. Consulted with Swift regarding anaerobic lagoon improvements
. Modified compo sting process to respond to increased sludge production
. Updating wastewater collection and WWTP facility plans
Short-term solutions beginning January 2006 was to send all sludge to area landfills, which
would curb odors originating from the WWTP. The Public Works Department would lease
equipment for a special pilot study starting in March 2006 for an aerated static pile compo sting
system. They would continue to evaluate a long-term sludge handling solution.
Three long-term alternatives were mentioned which had been short-listed included anaerobic
digestion and land application of sludge, aerated static pile and land application of compost, and
landfill disposal.
Additional efforts were to complete sanitary sewer collection and facility plan updates, develop
expanded WWTP web page to better inform community of work being done, and complete
design and construction of replacement lift station 19 near Capital Avenue and U.S. Highway
281.
Discussed was lift station 19 which was the cause of some odor and was being looked at to be
replaced. Mr. Riehle stated the cost of hauling sludge was $12,000 per week. Sources of odor
were discussed along with an instrument that would be purchased to measure odor.
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Page 3, City Council Study Session, January 31, 2006
The following people spoke concerning odors from the WWTP:
Lewis Kent, 624 East Meves
Karen Colan, 225 Lakeside Drive
Bud Jeffries, #28 Kuester Lake
Ron Miller, 704 South Cherry
Jan Mefford, 2725 East Seedling Mile Road
Willie Skala, 323 Mallard Lane
Jeff Greer, 514 South Shady Bend Road
Discussion was held with regards to other cities such as Lincoln and Omaha that had wastewater
treatment plants and how they handled odor problems. Land application of sludge was explained
and the benefits.
Mayor Vavricek commented on this issue being important and that we would do everything we
could to remedy it.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m.
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RaNae Edwards
City Clerk