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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN 03.22.2004 CC-RThe City Council of the City of Georgetown, Texas, met in Regular Session on the above date with Mayor Pro Tem Doug Smith presiding. Council Present: it Council ,absent: Patty Eason, Gabe Sansing, Doug Smith, Jack ; Mayor Gary Nelon Noble, John Kirby, Farley Snell, Mark Ramsey Staff Present: --- - It Paul Brandenburg, City Manager; Jim Briggs, Assistant City Manager for Utility Operations; Trish Carls, City Attorney; Sandra Lee, City Secretary; Mark Thomas, Economic Development Director; Micki Rundell, Finance and Administration Director; Keith Hutchinson, Public Information Officer Policy Development/Review Workshop Called to order by Mayor Pro Tem Doug Smith at 4:00 p.m. A Discussion of the Regional Wastewater Study and the proposed Liberty Hill Wastewater Treatment Plant -- Glenn Dishong, Water Services Manager and Jim Briggs, Assistant City Manager for Utility Operations Briggs told Council that officials from the LCRA and BRA were present to participate in this item. He also acknowledged city officials from Liberty Hill. Briggs noted the proliferation of septic systems on the west side of town. He said discussions have begun regarding a regional treatment facility rather than allow individual utility districts, saying Williamson County has the highest number of septic tanks in the Brazos Basin. He said elements of nitrification of the Acquifer have begun to appear due to non -efficient septic tanks leaching into the Acquifer, so resources are being put together with BRA and LCRA to fund appropriate treatments to ensure protection of the watershed. He said there is a permit sitting on the Executive Director's desk that contains regulations that are not acceptable according to Georgetown standards. Briggs explained that It was first thought that Georgetown was too far removed from the plant to have any influence or be impacted by the Liberty Hill Treatment Plant. He said, however, Georgetown has been invited by the Alliance to contribute to the discussions and Georgetown is asking that the levels of discharge equal Georgetown standards. David Collinsworth of BRA spoke to Council about wastewater concepts with the major goal of providng protected wastewater throughout the area. He said LCRA and BRA want Georgetown, as a very large downstream customer, to be involved in reviewing the design and implementation of the plant. He said the attempt is to have one large regulated wastewater source rather than a countryside of small plants buried underground with little attention and verification of operation procedures. He said Liberty Hill came to the BRA and asked them to study the situation because they had septic tanks that were failing. They asked for the most economical way to get sewer into the downtown and address the growth in the area. He said LCRA worked with the MUD's that were developing and asked them to contribute to the regional facility in order to promote development with protected environmental issues. Jim Clarno of LCRA updated the Council on the design decisions, such as a gravity interceptor west of Hwy. 183. He said the pipe is being sized to serve the entire Liberty Hill area with a regional liftstation pumping over to the treatment plant. He said there will be a SCADA system that will allow them to monitor the operations both here in Georgetown and at Brushy Creek. He said they chose the location east of 183, City Council Meeting Minutes/March 22, 2004 Page 1 of 2 Pages somewhat out of site, with plenty of room to meet the buffer requirements. He said their goal is to keep the site in the center of the 20 -acre site with at least 300 feet of buffer. He said without being required by TCEQ, they will build a 5-5-2-1 plant, the strictest regulations. He said they will reduce odor by not treating or dewatering sludge on site and will enclose the screening area. He said the blowers will be enclosed to reduce noise. He said they will use lights that aim straight to the ground without providing a lot of light pollution through the neighborhood. He said the plant will be built in three phases, 400,000 gallons a day, per phase. He said they will use PEG power with generator back-up. Once the wastewater gets to the plant there will be gravity from the plant to the outfall location. He said they will pipe the wastewater to the river. He said they have chosen to "do the right thing" with each decision. He said septic tank problems along SH 29 and in Liberty Hill "Old Town" should not be addressed in any other way than with a regional wastewater facility. He said the Liberty Hill High School has it's own wastewater treatment plant and would like to get out of the wastewater business. Briggs explained the quality control of the effluent discharge from the City of Georgetown wastewater treatment plants, saying the discharges are safe for human contact. He said many small plants would be difficult to monitor. Eason asked about the permit waiting to be signed. Briggs said if this Alliance Project doesn't go forward, the Executive Director of the TCEQ will sign the permit. Noble asked and Clarno answered that sludge will be transported to the Brushy Creek Plant for dewatering and then to the landfill. Ramsey asked for clarification about the safety of the water downstream. Clarno said the water will be safe, but because of perception and emotional attitude, LCRA has agreed to discharge beneath the small dam. There were further questions and comments. Clarno said they will work with the neighbors in the design process. He used the rehabilitation of the West Plant in Round Rock as an example of how this one will operate. B Council Calendar - Workshop on Budget Ranking Criteria at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 Regular Council Meeting on Tuesday, March 23, 2004, at 6:00 p.m., in the City Council Chambers at the northeast corner of Seventh and Main Streets 4:55 p.m. -- recessed to Executive Session Executive Session In compliance with the Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551, Government Code, Vernon's Texas Codes, Annotated, the items listed below will be discussed in closed session and are subject to action in the regular session that follows. C Sec.551.071: Consultation with Attorney - Pending or Threatened Litigation - Brazos River Authority regarding Operations and Maintenance of the Stillhouse Raw Water Pipeline - Legal Advice Regarding Agenda Items and other Matters D Sec.551.087: Deliberations Regarding Economic Development Negotiations - Potential abatements and incentives for a prospective new business 5:44 p.m. -- returned to Open Session and Adjourned Approved: Attest: f vk�t,�L Mayor Pro Tb m Doug Smith City Secretary Sandra City Council Meeting Minutes/March 22, 2004 Page 2 of 2 Pages