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88-760 WMITE - CITY CLERK PINK - FINANCE COURCII r'/��r` / BLUERy - MAVORTMEN7 GITY OF SAINT PAUL File NO. `�+ _�° � • • �'""..�.. _ ounci Reso ution iG,��, Presented By Referred To Committee: Date Out of Committee By Date WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Wa te Control Commission, along with its predecessor agencies, has collect d and treated the wastewater of the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area while pr serving and protecting the environment for the past 50 years; and WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Wa tewater Treatment Plant (Metro Plant) opened in June 1938 as the first primary wastewater treatment facility along the Mississippi River; and WHEREAS, the Metro Plant tre ts over half of all wastewater in the State of Minnesota and 80 percent of wa tewater in the Twin Cities area; and WHEREAS, the Metro Plant ser es a residential population of 1.5 million citizens in 60 communities, inclu ing the city of Saint Paul; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the Saint Pau City Council does hereby proclaim Sunday, June 26, 1988 as "METRO PLANT F FTIETH ANNIVERSARY DAY" in appreciation of the Metropolit n Waste Control Commission as it celebrates the Metro Plant's 50 years of ope ation. COUNCIL MEMBERS Requested by Department of: Yeas Nays � Dimond Long In Favo Goswitz ,O Rettman ��,�1 _ Against BY Sonnen � Adopted by Council: Date MAY � 7 � Form Approv y ity A or e Certified Yass y .il Sec y BY By Approve Mavor: Date � `� � Appr v d Mayor for Su ' s' n � ouncil B B �susH�a MAY � �9s ��d`-�° N° 013559 , Citv Council DEPARTMENT - , Jim Scheibel. Preaident CONTACT N :. . w 5679 PHONE , � 5-5-88 DATE ASSIGN Nt1MBER FOR ROUTING ORDER: (See r verse side.) ' _ Department Director 2 Mayor (or Assistant) _ Finance aad Management Services Dire tor 3 City Clerk �udget Director ity Attorney _ TOTAL NT!![9ER OF SIGNATiJRE PAGES: ( lip all locations for signature.) W V TAK CTIO 7 jPurpose/Rationale) ; Resolution proclaiming June 26, 1988 as 'Metro Plant Fiftieth Anniversary Day" in appreciation of the l�tetropolitan Waste C ntrol Commission as it celebrates the Metro Plant's SO years of operation. � COS UD ND P SONNEL I C D: F N C N C U G CTIV C G OR CRE T D: (Mayor's signature not required if under 10,000.) � Total Amount of TransBction: Activity Number: Funding Source: , ATTACHMENTS: (List ,and number .all attach ents.) ��^c'�� +G MAY 6 1988 ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES _Yes _No Rules, Regulations, Pro edures, or Budget Amendment required? _Yes _No If yes, are they or tim table attached? DEPARTMENT REVIEW CITY`ATTORNEY REVIEW _Yes _No Council resolution require ? Resolutioa required? _Yes _,No _Yes _No Insurance required? Insurance sufficient� �Yes _No _Yes _No Insurance attached? �-�-�� E`�'"'� Metropolitan Waste Control Commission ��`;'� 35 Metro Square Building, 7th and Robert, St. Paul, Minnesota SS10t 612 222-8423 April 21, 1988 �Igi/ James Scheibel D President, Saint Paul City Coun il �Pf�� City Hall and Courthouse Saint Paul, Minnesota 55102 �DUNC D e a r �.,,, ; , ,..�,..,... ��.,L;,.,� �vY`�"`AM�S SCHM C On June 26, 1988, the Metropoli an Waste Control Commission (MWCC) will celebrate the 50th anniver ary of the Metropolitan Wastewater Treatment Plant (Metro Plant) i Saint Paul. For 50 years, the Metro Plant has treated much of the w stewater in the Twin Cities Metro- . politan Area. The City of Sain Paul was instrumental in planning the sewer system and creating the n cessary infrastructure to improve water quality for the Mississip i River. We ask you to join us in celebr ting 50 years of a cleaner Mississippi . Please find enclosed a copy of The Link, MWCC ' s quarterly publication, which in ludes a story on the Metro Plant and its history. We would also appreciate your roclaiming Sunday, June 26, 1988 as "Metro Plant Fiftieth Anniversary Day" . We would like to acknowledge the proclamation at an open ho se at the Metro Plant on that date. Please find enclosed a draft pr clamation for your consideration. I � have also sent a proclamation t Saint Paul Mayor George Latimer. Early next week, Diane Wanner ill be calling your staff as a follow-up to this letter . Ple se also feel free to call me at 222-8423 if you have any questi ns regarding this request . Sincerely, V ��' _------- -�-��=� Peter E. Meintsma Cha i r �� °��`y ." PEM:DKW:cmj cc : George Latimer \��) �;.� �::. � ;; � �� t��-4.1.}�.j�l. 4.. - } i a . �:'' �. � E� � 4� ��-�� ,�;k�;�,�, �� 4 a, > ��;, ai��. ,,�� ';:. ,:, .�,,,� �,�„�y�, A quarterly publication from the Metropolit n Waste Control Commission �� ` � Winter 1988 - �:�".c�'`�',M'�r�,� a�,�.'��q�'"��.'�i�4s"."��'V�af�4��'�,�G N I��h'�a,�'4i +'�a:"ox,,�.��. _- _ r e.��I �..�.„.k�t�VYli,r�..k�s ,Y�,�'.�^ �',n�s:'af.�?�.:.�.e�.,�,��.�-;��_,. *'_ � �,:... . . . . .. .. . . '--�-` `+. � , . ��.;� . - � ._�° � �` ��u�'.�1. . . � ` n - �� df+y.,� � . �; � � �� Z� r� . � � � k�;; he „�_; �"� ,�,�"`a�. ,� �:c� s ; i , , � � >.. �- M � v a, -. :, . �� ;x � ' ��y�� #$ q - ,�� B r t W�A . ,�, � w�y��p��s��"�": 1�,��r�'��r 1��hk p��.. i ��I��"1��1��M�i y'', i R €�, I i�}�� , r�� '� � � �� . �u r" �y1y�r. I� ��, � ��Gi i ','i°� o�,C`. ` `; . -�� .�; ' m.. �� t�N i�w��h i ; 41'� a�' , � � �� ... '�c�u�A�Y'�N�'�� i � , � . .. � � � ,, �: ti _ .. . ��' . � � � � � `� � �.�',��'. �. ,��, xr�av - .�. ..:' r ry. �..a. � � .'��+.y ,�'�� ae w ��c��, ,�. ;a-';��.�"� a�,�c„ ,�e��. ..� �.r3��,..�:��',r� ,'�,a�,�a¢�� - ..� �. ..,�. , ._ :� .v __.. . .., .,e . �. �:., r . .., ,.:;: -,�. �: ..- t ... .. �a._ .,.Av: .. ,....�. . , ... . ...� .._ ,_. , . �... -� � A.F.Raymond photo,Minnesota Historical Sxiety Could a sewage treatment plant really be this beautiful? he answer is"yes." This photo of the adminlstration building at the Metro Plant was taken in 1937, the year before the plant egan operation. The architectural design of the building is called moderne. Moderne style began in the 1930s, and resem les the art deco style it followed, aithough moderne Is less ornate and more streamlined. Metro Plant to observ 50th anniversary Editor's Note: Frfry years ago tl�is area: sewage d trade wastes were simp- released in the winter, making pollution s�.�mmer, the Metropolitan Waste►ti�ater ly deposited ' ectly into the Mississippi and odors even more evident. Treannen� Plant began treatrng sewage River through combined sazritary and Photographs of the Mississippi River for the Twin Ci�ies. Located on Pig's stomi sewers. Because the population taken neaz the Twin Cities during ihis Eye Lake southeast of downfown St.Paul, was smaller in the early 1900s, the river tune cleazly show floating scum, oil it was the first was�ewater treannent was able to abs rb this sewage and purify slicks,and sludge deposits. faciliry to be built along the entire 2,348 itself. mrles of ihe Mississippi River. At the Because of these conditioos, Dr. A.J. time, i� ►+�as consrdered tlre largest treat- As populati n and industrialization Chesley, then executive officer for the ment plan�of ils rype in tl�e world. grew i� the win Cides, so did the D►.�ring 1988, eadi issue of The Link �►ount of poll tion in the river. �. _gz wi!/ c•nntain an ardcle written to com- After the con truction of the Twin City � � memora�e tlre SOth Anniversary of the Loek and D and the Ford Motor Co. �� ,� �� '� plant. (Also, a full lengtli history of the hydro-electric station, polludon from -- -- -- - plant will be published this year and an sewa e and t de wastes became more �+ � � ` " � � `� o en house is sclieduled at tJtie lant June g � '� "'' '�� '� "� P P noticeable. en the lock and dam was 26.) In this first article, our focus is on built in 1917,i was routine to hold water events whid� lead to the creation of the a[high levels uring the summer months. ��esota State Board of Health, ap- plant. Its creation has heen of greal sig- p� slud e d osits that setded on the Proached the city councils of St.Paul and nr rcance to our healtl� and environment. y g P Minneapolis urging immediate action be ,� river bottom re the� flushed out when taken to improve the "unsanitary condi- the water was leased in the winter. tion of the Mississippi River." Sewage lreatment, up until the 1930s, After the Fo d Motor Company com- could be considered a relatively un- pleted its hy o-electric station near the See 50th Anniversary, page 4 complicated procedure in the Twin Cities dam in 1924, the water was no longer �st easy! Our watchdo , �n � ��a ards your investment �� `��Line � � � � � ., i the communities served by the pendence, in order to orm the audit ; send us their money to pay for work freely and objective y. That is why �ater treatment, we consider it part Rahiman reports direcdy to the Intemal job to protect their invesunent by Audit Committee. �at money well. �� `� Rahiman's "bosses" on the committee s one of the reasons why we have include three persons fr m the MWCC gy peter Meintsma tchdog. and,more significandy,f ur from outside MWCG Chairman the commission. As chax an,I serve on :Cs watchdog dcesn't guard our the audit committee,alon with Commis- :es from theft in the conventional sioner Susan Kimberly MWCC Chief managed and used in an economic ar►d Nor is he a member of the canine Administrator Lou Breim urst. efficient manner, and are protected from ;. Ours is a human watchdog who loss. He ascertains whether commission agvnst loss, and wasteful or un- The committee also in ludes a repre- policy and procedures, as well as federal �le practices. sentative from the Metr olitan Council and state regulations, are being followed. Rahim A. Rahiman, our intemal �a posidon filled until re ntly by Judith Then he reports his findings, and any Pinke, former director of the Metro Sys- recomme�dations, to the Internal Audit �, the first person ever to hold that tems Department); two representatives Committee. re. Rahiman came to the commis- �om municipal gove ent: Eugene i August of 1985 from the First Schiller director of the Deparnnent of �at Idnd of track record have iystem, where he was vice presi- Finance� and Manageme t Services for Ratuman and the committee compiled? charge of professional practices of the City of St. Paul, d Don Taylor, As a result of com ret�ensive audits into uciit and Examination Division. �ector of Finance/A inistrative Ser- , P � certified intemal auditor who vices for Golden Valley; and one repre- �CC s revenues, expenditures and in- i M.B.A.degree. vestments, 17 recommendations to cor- sentadve from industry: illiam Cashin, rect current control weaknesses and to MWCC established the Office of a principal chemist (n w retired) of prevent potential weaknesses have been �l Auditor based on recommenda- Ho�eywell,Inc. offered to commission managers. The y a Govemor's Blue Ribbon Com- �e committee appro es an annual recommendations covered diverse areas and by the consulting firm of audit plan. It is Rahim 's job to ex- ranging from use of commission vehicles �Ross and Co.,both of which con- ��e and evaluate MW C's accounting to establishment of controls over the on- management studies of the com- practices, financial d operating line computer accounting system to n a few years ago. policies, and intemal controls and monitoring access to the warehouse at tting up an internal auditing func- programs. He checks he�her MWCC our Metropolitan Wastewater Treatment . �e commission understood that the �sets -- and these incl de equipment, Plant after office hours. All the recom- r must operate with full inde- money and human re ources -- are mendations have been or are being imple- mented. � < �� F MWCC pipefitters perform h�5' L. ��°•:° ��a � � � � ,,�� #�°� community service project ��,� � MWCC pipefitters Pat Donnelly, left, �-�� ` � �� , �. �� and Dan Vento talked with St. Paul � ' w�`'"�- Mayor George Latimer, center, at the ` "` "" � start of the Second Annual Pipefitters y� ;�� ,,� �� ' :�� ,` � �?"�' �� CommuMty Service Project. Donnelly �� '�'�� °�.�� and Vento were among 20 pipefitters �`'� from MWCCs Metro Plant who joined ,� ,� ,�" . ;� �� forces with over 200 other pipefltters � � �' �� ro �� ' � from the Minneapoiis and St. Paul � '�� ° � � � � � � � � � Pipefitters Unions for the project last � �� '�`� ��`�� ' , , , �� fall. As a result, about 200 low income �� ' homeowners in the Twin Cities started , -��- y �� °. � ""�� f�` � the winter season knowing their � �' i'�'W �: ,�� ` ` " � �, , �r �'�` furnaces, hot water heaters and smoke � � � "�� .�' r�e `-� � alarms were working safely. Furnaces �: � � �� ' � � were re aired and even re laced. .. P , P '�"�,, �' � �� `' � °"��""'"`�� Costs were shared by the pipefitters � - �, �� and Mechanical Contractors Assn. � Photo by Gary Hetrick �MWCC Link Winter 1988 ��- �� For metal finishing industry -- Plant will remove, rec cle metals from sewage A revolutionary facility for treatment - and recycling of hazazdous wastes produced by Twin Cides area metal � � ' � � � finishing and electroplating companies is � ��' � �,�' '� � � ` expected t�be in operation this summer. � �'� �:� ��' � The $lU million plant, under constiva '' ��u� �� tion west of I-35W in the industrial area � � `�' of Roseville, is tbe result of the coopera- =�' .� tive efforts of industry, state and local �� `� �� "'�� govemment agencies. A key role has � � � �-��„ ,-- �, ��,��; :�� #� been played by the Metropolitan Waste c�. � '"` �° ��' �� Control Commission (MWCC), which fi ��'�� g�� '4 agreed to apply $1.25 million in penalties :"�'" "�� :� � �""� � � �� '" � ` -"� levied against polludng companies to � � .��9 ��:, ��*`'� `�� 5��"' a��'„�"'"""� developmeot of the metals recovery .� °�"'"�'�� " � ° `"`" facility. � � �*� � "The MWCC could have taken a narrow �� ;�� " �' �� - �� ,�� ;�� view in this matter and told industry, � a�. �� "� -<.. �� ' � `Just get these hazardous wastes out of ' {` ' �� ' '� � the sewer,, „ said Peter Meintsma,chair- `�, ` ��` ;,�: _ �� ,��`� ' � �' � '� �;�,. �;,;�`�`�: man of MWCC's Boazd of Commis- Photo by Julie Lehr sioners. "Instead,the commission looked Greg Norgaar , of Lancy Internatlonal, inc., Is proJect manager for the centralized at the bigger pictare which included en- treatment and ecovery plant that wfll handle metal finishing wastes. The plant is vironmental benefiGS, innovadon in tech- currently unde construction (in background)in Rosevtlle. nology and economic issues." 7fiough the requirement for special treatment of the wastewater generated by Wastes gener ted by the metal finishing (MRC), a consortium of 21 metal finish- computer component firms,plating shops industry fall i o this category. Of paz- ing firms, was the outcome of Ihe task and electronics manufacturets is not new, ticulaz conce was the "dispeision of force. MRC's partner in the venture is the approach for the Roseville facility is heavy metals" to the environment, said Lancy Intemational, lnc., a subsidiary of novel. That's because it will offer a Peter Westerh us, enforcement specialist Alcoa. cenlralized treatment site to serve many in MWCC's I dustrial Waste Division. firms, allowing them to avoid installation TJ�ese inclu e cadmium, copper, Tuming a concept into a woricing plant of addidonal waste treatment systems in chromium,lea and others. has taken several years of effoR. Steps the'u own plants, on an individual basis. included purchasing a site, obtaining the Operating costs of such in-plant systems Electmplatin firms and metal finishers necessary permiGS to construct and are becoming increasingly expensive,and �'�'ashed these metals into the sewers operate the first commercial hazazdous may even be prohibitive,for small firms. �'�'�ch conveye them to MWCC's Metro waste processing facility licensed in Min- Wastewater Tr atment Plant. After treat- nesota,and securing financing. The centralized treatment and recovery ment, most of he metals ended up in the facility also is innovative in the technol- river or in se age sludge and the ash The financing posed a particularly dif- ogy it will employ. Similaz systems have produced whe sludge is bumed. This ficult hurdle. been widely used in Japan and West Ger- greatly limite MWCC's options for ��e economic feasibility of a central- many, buc aze just beginning [o be using sludge. ized treatment plant was always a yues- marketed in the United States. The plant tion because this has never been done will not only treat hazardous wastes; it Efforts ro co stiuct a centralized treat- will recover and recycle as much material ment and me s recovery facility here �fore,"Westerhaus said. as possible. beSan in 1982. A group of electroplaters Currendy, 21 firms are parc of the MRC and metal fini hers -- faced with the im- co�sortium. Many more metal finist�ers The catalyst for the project can be pending dead ine for the more strict �d electroplaters do business in the traced back several years to amendments federal stand s -- came to MWCC and Twin Cities. So the potential to serve a to the federal Clean Water Act. The the Metropolit Council, the long range greater number of fums through a aniendments directed the U.S. Environ- planning age cy for the Twin Cities �ntralized treatment plant exists, mental ProtecNon Agency (EPA) to set metro area. he two agencies helped �yesterhaus noted. rules for pietreatment of industrial was- form a task for to study the concept. tewaters that contain toxic pollutants in See Plant, page 4 significant amounts. The Metropo itan Recovery Corporation Winter 1988 The MWCC Link 3 ��, £lb 'oN +iwaad NW 'I^ed '�S Qlt/d �p�q5 e�osauuiw `�ned ;uies a6easod .g.n s�aa�3S ��a4oli P�� 41L a�eb �I^s 6uip�in8 a�i�10 a�enbg o�laW OS£ uoissiwwo� �a�uo� a�se/y� ueli�odo��ay� ayl th Ann(versary, from page 1 Literature at the tim called this the first financed and conswcted by the city major joint enterpris of tt�e two cities, using them. All works in commor►(main one that reportedly had "wholehearted interceptor sewers and treatment plant) Minnesota in its early days could ig- cooperation"from all those involved. will be conswcted by the commission." re the question of sewage disposal, but w that the state is becoming quite After numerous c mmission sessions The plant began operation in Ju�e nerally settled,the subject demands at- throughout the fall 0 1926 and winter of 1938. The construction cost was $3.5 , 1927, the Metropoli an Drainage Com- million. �tion,' said Dr. Chestey, who devoted mission (predecesso to MWCC) was ; life to the advancement of public Since then, the Metro Plant has been alth. formed in 1927. O e of its fitst tasks was to study treatrne t possibilities. expanded four dmes. It treats about one- ty 1925, committees were appointed half of the wastewater in the state of the city councils of St. Paul and Min- More than 30 alte ate plans were con- Minnesota and 8U percent of the was- apolis to joinfly investigate the situa- sidered by the com ission. The plan tewater in the Twin Cities. n. A year later, the Minneapolis City deemed most satisf tory proposed that --Ke�r/Ryan �uncil formed the Minneapolis Sanitary interceptor sewers ( ose shared by two ; �mmission to study tbe polluted condi- or more communitie )be built leading to . '` � �n of the Mississippi River, as well as a single treatment ant for both ��aes, The Link � wage disposal, and to take steps to which would be situ ted at a point below �pare the necessary legislation to fur- St.Paul. Volume IV,No.1 Winter,.1988 �' �r act on the pmblem. In 1934, Pig's Eye Lake was chosen as The'Link is published quarterly by the �t the first meetin of this commission, the site for the sewa e treatment facility. Metropolitan Waste Control Commis- g According to a bo et written for the s��n (MWCC). Its purpose is to inform : St. Paul City Council was invited to the 105 commurnties served by the ]p solve the problem. Both cities May 16, 1938, de cation of the plant, MWCC of Commission activities;.and �ognized the importance of working ��1 interceptor sew rs used ezclusively programs.The MWCC was ereated in gether to battle the pollution pmblem. by each of the T in Cities will be andaeharged with onet f nedamental m iss ian: to e fficient ly co l lect an d treat ant, from page 3 wastewater for the 7win Cities metropolitan area, while`pre`serving ' fius faz,MRC and Lancy have invested and metals recovery lant? and protecting the environmeM. ' million into the plant, including the Chairman:Peter E,.Meintsma .25 million in penalties which MWCC Besides keeping t xic pollutants out of MWCC Chief_Administrator. Louis J.. reed local companies could apply the sewers -- and Itunately the river -- greimhurst ward the facility. In recent weeks, the the facllity will rea the greater environ- ; �t of the financin has been secured, mental harvest of cycling and reusing Director of F'ublic. and Community, S Relations:Pat Ferguson :er the St. Paul Port Authority agreed to some of the metals Innovative technol- �ue slightly more than $6 million in ogy will be used, d Twin Cities metal Editor:Julie Lehr finishing companie should be better off �nds to comptete the plant. Letters and eomments are weicomed. economically by oling their resources Send to: 350 Metro Square Building, Nhy aze those involved excited about to solve a common roblem. St. Paul, Minnesota 55101. Phone: � prospect of a centralized Ireatment --Julle Lehr z22'8423: ' Q The MWCC Link Winter 1958