Water treatment plant updates delayed yet again

New Rockford residents will have to wait a little longer for better water. Wade Senger of Interstate Engineering explained to city commissioners on Monday that the contractor has requested a contract extension on scheduled water treatment plant upgrades.

Sentry Crane, the general contractor, placed an order for the reverse osmosis equipment with the expectation that it would arrive on site in August. Then, two weeks ago, they were told that due to limited availability of certain parts needed to build it, the new equipment will not be onsite until October 11. The contractor asked for a two-month extension on the contract as a result, which would have moved the completion date from December 12, 2021 to February 12, 2022. Senger said he was concerned that with 20% of the water going to the detention pond, freezing could be an issue, until the water is built up enough to cover the pipe. Senger told commissioners he preferred that they approve an extension to April or May, so the equipment can be brought online in the spring rather than in the middle of winter.

Brent Tappenden, Project Manager for Sentry Crane, agreed. In a letter to commissioners, he stated, “We feel this would be an added insurance to the project to protect the Cities water supply through the cold weather and insure and better startup. We would to get a majority of the plant work completed up to December and wrap up the filtration and startup in the spring.” Sentry Crane did not ask for any additional money, even though they have encountered more expenses, Senger noted.

“February is one of our coldest months,” Commissioner Ryan Hager commented, adding that it would not be ideal to complete water works in the winter.

“I would rather have it take a little bit longer to get it right,” Commissioner Kelly McKnight said.

Hager made the motion to extend the water plant contract’s deadline to April 30, 2022, and all the commissioners agreed. They also approved payment of estimate #6, totaling $85,626.24 for work completed in June, as well as a $54,207.27 payment to Interstate Engineering.

Substandard, or blighted, buildings continue to be an issue for commissioners. Brooke Kirkeide, an Environmental Health Practitioner with Lake Region District Health Unit, came to New Rockford last month to review a list of properties city officials believe are substandard and therefore should be demolished.

Only one property, a house on 5th Street North, is considered “blighted” in Kirkeide’s report, and therefore eligible to receive notice of substandard condition. 

“This is almost embarrassing,” President Stu Richter commented.

“I think you should seriously consider amending your ordinance,” City Attorney Travis Peterson told commissioners. The current ordinances in Chapter 7, regarding health and building conditions, call for a city physician, as a member of the “board of health,” and/or a city building official to inspect and make determinations as to the condition of buildings in the city. There is no person appointed to either position, and there hasn’t been for some time. City officials called in LRDHU because the entity is the closest thing to a board of health the county has at its disposal.

Commissioners directed Peterson to send a notice to the owner of the house that was deemed blighted. Meanwhile, Hirchert said he will contact Candace Berg, director of the environmental health division at LRDHU, to discuss Kirkeide’s report. The owners of the other properties, which were deemed in need of serious repair, will also receive letters notifying them of the issues that need to be addressed.

Justin McDonald, owner of Buck-its Bar, is organizing an Aug. 28 fundraiser for Wonder Lanes. The event will feature a Ribfest cooking competition, where contestants will smoke their ribs outside on 9th Street behind the bar, so he requested permission from the commission to block the street.

“The bowling alley is very important to me, and I want to do what I can to help,” McDonald said. He added that it was “very noticeable” to his business when the bowling alley was closed this past winter.

McDonald said he will sell all-you-can-eat wristbands to the event, with all proceeds going to Wonder Lanes. The commission approved the request, and asked that he complete an off-site liquor license so patrons can enjoy their drinks and food inside or outside the bar.

Ten nuisance vehicles remain after city officials sent final notices to property owners. The sheriff’s office will be asked to tow remaining vehicles to the impound lot as soon as possible.

Merita Aldayel delivered the Eddy-New Rockford Public Library’s annual report. Online checkouts exceeded in-house checkouts in the past year, with 2,148 online, and 1,750 in-house checkouts. The commission approved the appointment of Melanie Homelvig to the library board. She will replace Jennifer Baumbach, whose term is up.

Control boxes for the downtown street lights are “antique,” Hirchert said. “It’s a rat’s nest when you open them up.” Hirchert requested estimates from local electricians, which will be added to the 2022 budget.

Requests from Jacob Dauenhauer and Gunner Wetzel to purchase vacant, city-owned lots were approved. Dauenhauer will purchase three lots across the alley from 3rd Avenue South for a garden, and Wetzel will purchase five lots west of the railroad tracks on 5th Avenue South. Each will pay $2.50 per frontal foot plus legal fees.

Commissioners also approved three housing incentive applications, two local gaming permits, and one building permit.

Interviews with the three city auditor finalists are set for Monday, July 12 starting at 1 p.m. Commissioners were asked to review the interview questions prepared by Auditor George Ritzke in advance. The next regular city commission meeting will be held Monday, Aug. 2 at 7 p.m.