Jefferson Utility CommitteeThe Jefferson Streets/Sewer/Sanitation/Water committee met Tuesday in regular session.

Landus Cooperative requested to use the City’s sewer system to discharge wastewater from one of their facilities. They are proposing the discharge of about 300 gallons per day for three to five years. It is ammonia water which is currently being discharged on neighboring farmland. The Department of Natural Resources is asking for Landus to clean up their groundwater. The proposal wouldn’t upset the current sanitary system. There is another request from Renewable Energy Group to discharge about 13,000 daily gallons of wastewater. The committee wants agreements to be drafted before presenting it to the City Council for final approval.

Water Superintendent Tom Schilling discussed contracting with a company to change out water meters to improve the system. There are 2,075 meters in the City. The committee wants to see quotes from different businesses and what the cost estimates are by changing all meters at the same time or phasing them in yearly.

City Engineer John Milligan then proposed to the committee to look at future planning to consolidate City departments into one building complex. The committee took no action on the proposal.

Bolton and Menk reported that they are on schedule with completing conceptual drawings for the East Lincoln Way entry project. A public open house will be scheduled for late March or early April.

A brief discussion took place about the proposed quiet zone. City Administrator Mike Palmer said it will actually cost the City about $100,000 per crossing to install and operate their top choice of using directional horns. The topic will be brought up at the next City Council meeting.

Finally, the committee discussed increasing every resident’s water bill by $1 to help pay for expenses at the yard waste dump site. The City pays between $10,000 to $20,000 to grind down the yard waste materials. The committee will recommend the increase to the City Council.