By Clark Natalie

The Waste Water Treatment Facility Plan for Harris is complete. Hooking up to North Branch wastewater system is a major factor in the future of the cityís resolution to a treatment facility.

Draft copies of the plan were reviewed by the council and can be viewed by the public at City Hall. A public hearing will be held soon. Chuck Schwartz, of Bonestroo, Rosene, Anderlik & Associates, will prepare a presentation for the public which will probably be held in the fire hall.

The wastewater plan was changed to reflect a 7 percent growth rate, rather than the original 5 percent. The recommendation is to join with North Branch. With this process, the growth potential would increase. It is anticipated that Harris will send 35,000 gallons per day to the North Branch facility. Schwartz said North Branch fluctuates this much in a day.

The plan is prepared under the assumption that North Branch will approve Harris coming aboard, but Schwartz said with the discussions heís had with members of the North Branch council, he feels confident it will not be a problem. The alternative is to construct a replacement stabilization pond.

With the adaptation of the plan, after the public hearing, the plan will be submitted to the Minnesota Environmental Protection Agency (MEPA) by March 1. This will allow Harris to finalize an agreement with North Branch in time to meet the June 30 Intended Use Plan time line.

In addition to the wastewater plan, Schwartz brought up the drinking water project - the need to loop the cityís water supply. The estimated cost is $350,000, but Schwartz feels the Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund program will help fund this. The council authorized Schwartz to set up a meeting with Ehlers & Associates to look at funding options for both projects.

One of the requirements that North Branch has, Schwartz told the council, is that the city of Harris has a signed contract with Bonestroo. Schwartz gave the council a copy of a 2002 contract that had been prepared, but never formally accepted by council action. Although both the council and Schwartz had no problem continuing with a ìhand shakeî agreement, they realized for the protection of both entities, a contract is required. Schwartz will have a standard contract prepared for the city to review and acceptance.

With the completion of the draft WWTF plan, it allows the council to look at development proposals. Rodney Nelson and Kurt Naumann were there to review two proposals. They had questions about the time line for when they could begin construction, how many sewer units would be available to them, and what they could do if the units ran out. The council wanted their projects to go forward, but approval hinged on the stateís acceptance of the WWTF plan. Although construction on the WWTF plan would not start until 2006, once the plan is accepted, the MEPA would grant additional hook ups and the council felt that the two projects could be started this year.

During public comment, Jennifer Johnson asked how the new WWTF plan would affect farmers. The councilís initial reaction was that any wells and sanitary systems in place would remain, until they fail, then the residents would be required to hook up. Johnson said if her farm was required to hook up, it would put them out of business. The farmers would not be able to afford to water their stock with city water, she said. Schwartz pointed to a section in the plan relating to farms. Under Farm Conservation, it allows farms to keep and repair present systems. He advised Johnson, and any other resident it affects, to review that portion of the plan.

Interim attorney approved
Harris has been operating since January without a city attorney. Mayor Rick Smisson said he contacted an attorney that had been recommended to him, by a different attorney he trusted. Smisson was interested in hiring this firm on an interim basis, to handle city business while a search for a permanent attorney is conducted. The recommendation was William Dolan of Dolan & Besser. Although Smisson had not met Dolan, Smisson said he had talked with him and he thought he would do well. Dolan will charge $150 per hour, but only for those items that require research. It was decide to use Dolan until such time as a search for a permanent attorney is found.

In other business:
ï Aquila was approved as the natural gas provider for Harris, with a contract for the next 25 years. It was noted that Aquila had provided satisfactory service, with no major complaints.

ï Fire Chief John Pelant recommended Alana Cooper as a new fire fighter; she would be the fourth female to have been on the department. She is a certified nursing assistant. Pelant wanted to have the Council interview her, as they make the final decision. The council will talk with her at the next monthly meeting, but approved her application, pending physical and drug test.

ï Pelant also asked for permission to hold a controlled burn on the Highland Villas property. A barn and small out buildings will be burned. Pelant will use this as a water flow/screening class, and invite other departments to participate. Pelant will also test the pumpage of the department to try and reach the ISO test. If they can meet ISO standards, it will lower the fire rating for the department, which in turn will decrease the insurance costs for Harris residents.

ï It was decided to review in earnest the fire departments 2005 budget at the next meeting.

ï The council approved a conditional use permit for Ed Fields & Sons to locate a single-wide mobile home for seasonal occupation by one family. Much discussion ensued as to what constitutes a family, and the council limited family size to two occupants per bedroom.

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