270583 1 }��/� �'_" ��'
WHITE - CITV CLER1( ' COUIICII � '/ �r�� �
PINK - FINANCE �T
CANARY - DEPARTMENT G I TY OF SA I NT PA ll L r �+�
BLUE - MAYOR File NO.
� ��� Council Resolution PAGE 2 of 2
Presented By .
Referred To Committee: Date
Out of Committee By Date
addressed with individual sewer projects could any non-local money be eligible for
financing a share of the costs, and
WHEREAS, The Mayor and City Council are committed to solving the sewer back-up problems
in the Thomas-Dale area in the most cost-efficient manner with total implementation
taking four to five years because of orderly design and construction schedulinq and
limited funding resources, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Department of Public Works is directed to perform further preliminary
design analysis to determine the effect on utilities, Identified Treatment Areas, major
arterial or collector streets and possible future maintenance problems, so that the City
Council can decide which Alternative or combination of Alternatives is most appropriate
in order that detailed construction plans can be prepared in time to start the first
construction project in spring, 1979, and further
RESOLVED, That the Mayor report to City Council in early March, 1978, the Public Works
5ewer Design Section staffing requirements needed to execute design in a timely manner,
and further
RESOLVED, That the Mayor present for Council consideration a total financing plan proposal
for the sewer projects in the Thomas-Dale area that will be consistent with the City's
adopted Debt Policy, and further
RESOLVED, That the Mayor contact officials of the State Pollution Control Agency, the
Metropolitan Council and the Metropolitan Waste Control Commission regarding policy
changes which would allow for state or federal funding of sewer projects like those
to be constructed in the Thoma.s-Dale area, and that the Mayor report action
recommendations to the Council which could support these efforts to secure non-local
funding for the Thomas-Dale area sewers.
COUNCILMEN
Yeas Nays Requested by Department of:
Butler �
Hozza p [n Favor
Hunt (�
Levine __ Against BY —
�R�vec�}ar
Sylvester
Tedesco
�E� 1 5 1978 Form ved by,City Attorney
Adopted by cil: Date — �
Certi d Pa- by Council Secre�ary -
���--
App ��e by ;Vlayoc Dat
4 FEB 1 7 19 App ve by Mayor for Sut�mi si n o �oun '
By BY
P�15�1:,.,;��r ��� 2 :� 1978
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GF:or3c� ��.Tr.t�:R February 15, 1978
I�I aYU Ic ,
MEMO TO: Council President Robert Sylvester
Councilwoman Rosalie Butler
Councilman David Hozza
� Councilwoman Ruby Hunt :
Councilman Leonard Levine
Councilman Patrick Roedler
Councilman Victor Tedesco
FROM: Mayor George Latimer
SUBJECT: St. Anthony Hill Sewer roject
I am recommending that the City Couneil approve the completion
of the design and construction of the St. Anthony Hill sewer �
project. Attached is a council resolution which will
implement my recommendation.
Also attached is a report from the Department of Public Works.
The report analyzes the consultant' s study prepared by
Orr-Schelen-Mayeron and Associates, Inc. Generally, the
Public �Vorks report concurs with OSM and the recommendation
that a separated sewer system be constructed. The report
does not, however, concur that ��lternative No. 4, as
recommended in the consultant's report, be selected. Rather,
the department recommends that further consideration be given
to �lternative P7o. 3 contained in the OSM report. This further
consid�ration would be taken during the design work as -
preparation for constructing the sewer project. ,
Another attachment is a report prepared by the Planning Division
on the possibilities of obtaining non-locaT funding far the
sewer project. The report concludes that there is little �
likelihood of obtaining other funding. While this possibility
will be pursued, it should be clear that the City's cammitment
to completing the sewer project will continue regardless of the '
func�ing source. I intend to contact the State Pollution Contral
Agency, the Metropolitan Council, and the Metropolitan Waste
Control Commission about the possibilities of state or federal
funding in support of the sewer project.
Memo• to City Council -2- February 15, 1978 •
In two weeks I expect to have a report for the Council
considering the staffing rec�zirements to complete the sewer
design and a tentative financing plan to finance the project. •
Shortly thereafter I intend to have a comTnunity meeting to �
present that information to the residents so that they will
u��cl��rstan:� tY:e r.ature o:� t'rie ci-cy' s co < < i�m�nt -E:o the sewer relier
program. .
The first step toward implementation of the project will be
approval• of the attached resolution and I respectfully request your
favorable action.
GL:lmp
cc: Commissioner John Finley
Commissioner Warren Schaber
Representative Peggy Byrne
Representative Thomas Osthoff .
Senator Peter Stumpf , .
Frogtown Forum -
. William Johnson
Richard Wheeler
Kent Schoenberger
Roy Bredahl
Ken Da.ugan
Richard Schroeder
attachments �
,
, �
'' 4`�.t= o.s�, CITY OF SA(NT PAUL
����
�? ;;:••»� o� DEPARTfvIENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
�
+� :K.�'" �E
r'��� �c
Daniel). Dunford,Director
234 City Hall,Saint Paul,Minnesota 55142
George Latimer '
Mayor 612-298-4241
M E M O R A N D U M
T0: George Latimer
Mayor of the City of S�. Paul
� k ,
FROM: ''�r�Richard L. Wheeler �f"'�
� Acting Director of Public Works
DATE: February 14, 1978
SUBJECT: St. Anthony Hill Sewer Relief System Study
The Department of Public Works has reviewed the "St. Anthony Hi11 Sewer Relief
System Study" prepared by Orr-ScheJen-Mayeron and Associates, Inc. The Con-
sultant was retained by the City of St. Paul to review the sewer system problems
within the St. Anthony Nill area of the city and investigate various alternative
relief inethods.
A11 of the alternatives considered as feasible by the Consultant utilize the
design method of a separated storm and sanitary sewer system with storm water
conveyed to the Mississippi River.
It is our engineering judgment that of the four feasible alternatives presented
in the study, only Alternative No. 3 - New storm sewer system with two tunnel
outlets and Alternative No. - New storm sewer system with two tunnel outlets
and new trunk sanitary sewer, should be considered by the City as possible
solutions to the surface flooding and sewer backups in the St. Anthony Hill area.
Alternative No. 4 is the relief inethod recommended by the Consultant.
These two alternatives would correct the serious sewer capacity problems in the
area and both would be compatible with accepted engineering design practices
utilized in other areas of the City. Basicalty, the design and construction of
either alternative would achieve the same results; the elimination of sewer
backups in the area and a storm sewer system capable of receiving the surface
runoff from a five-year storm. In addition, the two alternatives are essentially
the same in total design and construction costs.
���J .
� , Mayor 6eorge Latimer -2- February 14, T978
The following construction staging and expenditures are based upon the cost in-
formatiorr contained in the study. Although the study did not detail construction
staging or costs for Alternative No. 3, we have prepared a probable estimate based
on the totai cost presented in the study. Practical experience and relevant City
funding information were used to determine the amount of construction that could
be expected yearly.
Alternate No. 3 - New Storm Sewer System with Two Tunnel Outlets .
Construction Stage I
St. Albans Storm Tunnel $ 3.5 - 4.0 Million
Construction Stage II
St. Albans Open-£ut Storm Sewers � $ 3.5 - 4.2 Million
Construction Stage III
Western Storm Tunnel " $ 5•0 - 5.3 Miltion
Construction Stage IV
Western Open-Cut Storm Sewers $ 3.� - 3•5 Million
TOTAL 15.0 -17.0 Million
Alternate No. 4 - New Storm Sewer System with Two Tunnel Outlets and
� New Trunk Sanitary Sewer
Construction State t (a) �
Trunk Sanitary Sewer � Open-Cut Storm
and Sanitary Sewers $ 4.2 Million
Construction Stage I (b)
Trunk Sanitary Sewer and Open-Cut Storm
and Sanitary Sewers $ 4.2 Million
Construction Stage ll
St. Albans Storm Tunnel and
Trunk Storm Sewer $ 4.g Million
Construction Stage Itl
Western Storm Tunnel $ 3.5 Millian
TOTAL 1 . Million
In Alternative No. 3 - New storm sewer with two tunnel outlets, the construction
of the St. Albans and 4lestern Storm Tunnels would have minimal , if any, effect on
the area. The eonstruction of the open-cut storm sewers in the street right-of-way
would cause some disruption and inconvenience to the residents. However, storm
sewer construction, due to the lesser depth of excavation, generalty creates less
disruption than sanitary sewer construction. The construction of Stage i and 11 of
Alternative No. 3 at an expenditure of, $8.2 Million, woutd accomplish the desired
final results in over one-half of the St. Anthony Hill area. Therefore, a sizeable
portion of the area would no longer have sewer backups and would have a storm sewer
system capable of �eceiving the runoff from a five-year storm. The combined sewer
� ,
� Mayor George Latimer -3- February 14, 1978
,
system in the remaining one-half of the St. Anthony Hill area would have increased
capacity due to the removal of the upstream storm runoff. The final two con-
struction stages would completely solve the area's problems of under-capacity
sewers.
In Alternative No. 4 - New storm sewer with two tunrtel outtets and new trunk
sanitary sewer, the construction of the St. Albans and smaller Western storm
tunnels would have minimal , if any, effect on the area. It is our opinion tfiat
considerable disruption of the area witl occur due to the construction of the new
trunk sanitary see�er and other sanitary sewers. it is difficult, without preliminary
design plans, to accurately determine to what extent this disruption would occur.
It is general knowledge, however, that the construction of sanitary sewers cause
considerable more disruption than the construction of storm sewers, especialiy in
an urban area. The deeper excavation depth necessary for sanitary sewers may
cause serious conflicts with existing utitities such as gas, telephone, water, etc.
in the street right-of-way. The wider trench width creates greater disturbance
and more extensive replacement of street surfacing, curbing and boulevards.
Alternative No. 4 would result in the disruption of approximately 15� more resi-
dential streets than Alternative No. 3. The construction of new sanitary lines
would require the interruption and reconnection of all house sanitary services
along the new line.
Utilization of certain existing combined sewers is planned under this alternative.
The rehabilitation proposed for these combined sewers is to be to a level that
witl make the projected service life of these pipes equal to any new system con-
structed. The majority of the sewer system within the St. Anthony Hill area is
50 to 90 years old and rehabilitation to the level of a new pipe may require the �
complete replacement of these piPes. Without a careful rehabilitation project,
the planned continued surcharging of old sewers may result in serious maintenance
problems.
The construction of Stage I (a) and I (b) of Alternative No. 4 at an expenditure
of $8.4 Million would, at its completion, eliminate sewer backups and combined
sewage surface flooding in the area. However, surface flooding would still
continue at about the same frequency and intensity experienced presently. Stage
11 would provide the desired final results of elimination of sewer backups and a
storm sewer system capable of receiv.ing the runoff from a five-year storm in
approximately one-half of the St. Anthony Hill area. The final Stage Il con-
struction wouid completely solve the area's problem of under-capacity sewers..
It has been suggested that a final benefit of the Consultant's recommended
Alternative No. 4 is its potential for State and Federal funding as a replacement
sanitary sewer. The Minnesota Pollution Contral Agency's criteria for the deter-
mination of project priority under which Alternative No. 4 would be evaluated is
the same criteria used by the Agency when the City requested funding for the St.
Alban's Storm Tunnel in 1974. It is extremely doubtful that Alternative No. 4
would receive a priority high enough to receive funding.
. .
� ' Mayor George Latimer -4- February 14, 1978
, In conclusion, it may be necessary to perform further preliminary design anatysis
of the two alternatives in regard to the effect on utilities, fntensified Treat-
ment Areas, major arter_ial or collector streets and possible future maintenance
problems. This could further establish that one alternative or a combination of
both may fie the most cost effective and practical design method. As the prelimi-
nary cost of Alternative No. 3 and the refined cost of Alternative No. 4 are
approximately the same, it is recommended that the Department of Public Works be
directed to initiate final design on a separated type sewer system for the St.
Anthony Hill area. Said design considerations to include further refinements of
the Consultant's feasible Alternative No. 3, so as to determine the best solution
to meet the needs of both the City and the St. Anthony Hill residents.
REB/ck
,
,.
� .
.�•, _
CITY OF SAINT PAUL
INTER-DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM •
DATE: February 10, 1978
T0: Mayor George Latimer
FROM: James J. Bellus �
RE: Thomas-Dale Sewer Funding
Assignment
The Mayor's Office requested the Division of Planning to examine availability
of funding for the Thomas-Dale Sewer Project from other than local sources.
Ken Dzugan and Greg Haupt of the Oivision of Planning examined Metro Council
policies, Minnesota Pollution Control policies, relevant portions of Title 40,
Part 35 Code of Federal Re ulations (Clean Water Act and amendments) as we11
as partions of Public Law 95-217 Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1977).
In summary, the findings are not encouraging. Under present Metra Council ,
state and federal policies and laws, it is extremely unlikely that the City
of Saint Paul could qualify for any type of assistance for construction of �
the sewer. The only current sources of federal funding for local sewage
collection systems are the CDBG Pr�gram and the Farmers' Home Administration
(grants to cities of under 5,000 population).
FindTngs
�
l . Metro Council
Metro Council policies on wastewater management are contained in the Develop-
ment Guide chapter entitled Wastewater Management. Although the Guide does
speak to the need for maintaining and replacing as necessary existing sewers
in the Urban Service Area, the policies themselves pertain oniy to sewers
and treatment plants owned by the Metropolitan Wastewater Control Commission
(MWCC). Therefore, for example, policy 12A, which establishes priorities
for metro sewer system capital investment, is applicable only to sewers
owned by the MWCC. Policy 12A states that a Metro Council priority is:
"Maintenance and replacement of the existing system when necessary to correct
or avoid threats to health or public welfare or when necessary to sustain
current levels of operating efficiency.° While on the face of it this policy
would appear to support Saint Paul 's proposed Thomas-Dale facility, the Metro
Council intends this policy to be applicable only to capital investment within
its jurisdiction, i.e. , facilities of the MWCC. The Metro Council does not
provide funds for improvement of local collection systems.
��,n
w.
2. State and Federal
State funds available for wastewater treatment facilities and sewers are
provided by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). These monies
are allocated to the MPCA under provisions of the Clean Water Act Amend-
ments of 1972. The purpose of the Act is to clean up the nation's waters,
not to provide assistance to local governments which have a backlog of
sewer projects. As a result, the Act states as first priority construction
of wastewater treatment plants; as second priority, construction of inter=
ceptor sewers which replace obsolete treatment plants; as third priority,
wastewater collection systems. Furthermore, the Act establishes that
states have responsibility for developing a priority list of projects to
be funded.
Pursuant to the Act the MPCA has issued guidelines on compliance with the
Act. Its guidelines set four .categories in order of priority. First
priority is sewage treatment and related major interceptors, interceptors
to eliminate inadequate sewage treatment facility or an immediate health
hazard. The second MPCA priority is for waste treatment works for munici-
pal water treatment plants and power plants. Third priority under MPCA
guidelines is interceptors, and fourth priority is sanitary sewer systems,
sewer separation, etc. The MPCA funds all first priority projects before ,
proceeding to second priority projects. Then it funds all second priority
_ projects before proceeding to third.priority, etc. As a matter of practice,
the MPCA has yet to fund any fourth priority projects. ;
Furthermore, it is unlikely that any such project would even be considered
before the late Summer of 1979. This is because the joint MPCA-MWCC
Combined Sewer Overflow Study (CSO) (required under provisions of the
1972 Act) will not be completed before that date, and MPCA is not funding
any sewer separation or sanitary sewer projects until the study is completed.
The reason is that any separation or sanitary projects are required to be
cost effective and without the CSO cost effectiveness cannot be determined.
However, in December 1977 Congress passed Public Law 95-217, the C1ean Water
Act of 1977. While certain types af projects will be even less likely to
receive funding under its provisions than under the 1972 Act, the new
statute requires the administrator of the U. S. Environmental Protection
Agency to "submit to the Congress by October 1978 a report on the status
of combined sewer overflow in municipal treatment works operations. " It
appears that Congress' intent is to determine the s everity nationwide of
combined sewer overflow problems, perhaps with the thought in mind of
specifically addressing federal assistance to that need (Laws of 95th
Congress-lst SESS. , 91 STAT. 1608). Nonetheless , the 1977 Clean Water Act
as passed into law denies funding to projects of the Thomas-Dale type.
In conclusion then, the present situation with �espect to state or federal
funding of the Thomas-Dale sewer project is bleak.
Alternatives Available
1 . Despite the planning staff's interpretation of state and federal regulations
and policies, the Mayor Mas the option of applying for MPCA assistance in
r •
.
� � . .
funding the Thomas-Dale Sewer Rroject as a test of the applicability of
these regulations and policies in this instance.
2. In view of the study required of the EPA administration by Cangress and
in view of the local combined overflow study, the second alternative
would be to defer a decision on the Thomas-Dale Sewer project unti] late
1979 when both the results of these two studies and congressional
intentions are better known. .
3. The Mayor has tFre option, of course, of funding the project through local
sources and proceeding as soon as desirable. However, present Federal
regulations are such that onee construction is begun, no portion of the
project could receive Federal assistance.
4. To get around this loss of reimbursibility problem and keep future options
open, the project could be redesigned as several smaller projects, each
independent of the others. Federal funding could be applied for later
portions if changes in eligibility criteria are made by Congress after
the EPA administrator makes his report and after the combined sewer over-
flow study is complete. In this case the separate projects should be done
with the least likely to be funded project first and the most likely to
be funded last. This would require additional engineering work to separate
projects. This could mean that the projects might not be done in the order
which could pravide the quickest relief to residents. Also, a legal
determination would have to be made on whether or not the projects designed
were "legally" separate. If future projects become eligible it could mean
up to 90� state and federal funds for eligible projects. It is anticipated �
that $85 to $90 million dollars of federal water pollution control funds
will be available to Minnesota in each of the next five fiscal years.
� Z° s��3
=i� ;-�`
GITI' OF S��I\'T P.1L"I..
.o �pgnn«i""� .
'A9 i5Rf40�E9�. . �
mee�r�cg?;,� OFFIGE OF TF3E 1'I�YOR
342 GITY FIALL
S�INT PALTL, i�TIN\ESOTA 5:310?
(61,) 298—13=3
GEOIiGE I.ari.rFx February 15 r 197 8
Mn�o a
�tEP�IO TO: Council President Robert Sylvester
Councilwoman Rosalie Butler
Councilman David Hozza
Councilwoman Ruby Hunt
" Councilman Leonard Levine
Councilman Patrick Roedler
Councilman Victor Tedesco
FROM: Mayor George Latimer
SUBJECT: St. Anthony Hill Sewer roject
I am recammending that the City Council approve the completion
of the design and eonstruction of the St. Anthony Hill sewer
project. Attached is a council resolution which will
implement my recommendation. -
Also attached is a report from the Department of Public Works.
The report analyzes the consultant' s study prepared by
Orr-Schelen-Mayeron and Assaciates , Inc. Generally, the
Public Works report concurs with OSM and the recommendation
_ that a separated sewer system be constructed. The report
does not, however, concur that r'ilternative No. 4, as
recommended in the consultant's report, be selected. Rather,
�the department recommends that further consideration be given
•to Alternative No. 3 contained in the OSM report. This further
consideration would be taken during the design work as
preparation for constructing the sewer project.
Another attachment is a report prepared by the Planning Division
on the possibilities of obtaining non-local funding for the
sewer project. The report concludes that there is little
likelihood of obtaining other funding. While this possibility
will be pursued, it should be clear that the City' s commitment
to completing the sewer project will continue regardless of the
funding source. I intend to contact the State Pollution Control
Agency, the Metropolitan Council, and the Metropolitan Waste
Control Commission about the possibilities of state or federal
funding in support of the sewer project.
��O
Memo to City Council -2- February 15, 1978
In two weeks I expect to have a report for the Council
considering the staffing requirements to complete the sewer
design and a tentative financing plan to finance the project.
Shortly thereafter I intend to have a community meeting to �
present that ,information to the residents so that they will
understand the nature of the city' s commitment to the sewer relief
progr am.
The first step toward implementation af the project will be
approval of the attached resolutian and I respectfully request your
favorable action.
GL:lmp
cc : Commissioner John Finley
Commissioner Warren Schaber
Representative Peggy Byrne
Representative Thomas Osthof f
Senator Peter Stumpf
F rogtown Forum
William Johnson
Richard Wheeler �
Kent Schoenberger
Roy Bredahl
Ken Dz.ugan
Richard Schroeder
at tac hmen ts
� ,
.� � •
" �`�ttT o.s�+4 CITY OF SAINT PAUL
��
�� -•i;;;�.'N. AE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
� o • ;
�,•• �� Daniel).Dunford,Director
234 City Hall,Saint Paul,Minnesota 55102
George Latimer
Mayor 612-298-424t
M E M O R A M D U M
T0: George Latimer
Mayor of the City of S�. Paul
FROM: �''".":rRichard L. Wheeler ii �
4 Acting Director of Public Works
DATE: February 14, 1978
SUBJECT: St. Anthony Hill Se�ver Relief System Study
The Department of Public Works has reviewed the "St. Anthony Hill Sewer Relief
System Study" prepared by Orr-Schelen-Mayeron and Associates, Inc. The Con-
sultant was retained by the City of 5t. Paul to review the sewer system problems
within the St. Anthony Hill area of the city and investigate various alternative -
relief inethods.
Ali of the alternatives considered as feasible by the Consultant utilize the
design method of a separated storm and sanitary sewer system with storm water
conveyed to the Mississippi River.
It is our engineering judgment that of the four feasible alternatives presented
in the study, only Alternative No. 3 - New storm sewer system with two tunnel
outlets and Alternative No. - New storm sewer system with two tunnel outlets
and new trunk sanitary sewer, should be considered by the City as possible
solutions to the surface flooding and sewer backups in the St. Anthony Nill area.
Alternative No. 4 is the relief inethod recommended by the Consultant.
These two alternatives would correct the serious sewer capacity problems in the
area and both would be compatible with accepted engineering design practices
utilized in other areas of the City. Basically, the design and construction of
either alternative would achieve the same results; the elimination of sewer
backups in the area and a storm sewer system capable of receiving the surface
runoff from a five-year storm. In addition, the two alternatives are essentially
the same in total design and construction costs.
���
� Mayor George Latimer -2- February 14, 1978
The following construction staging and expenditures are based upon the cost in-
formation contained in the study. Although the study did not detail construction
staging or costs for Alternative No. 3, we have prepared a probable estimate based
on the total cost presented in the study. Practical experience and relevant City
funding information were used to determine the amount of construction that couid
be expected yearly. ,
S
Alternate No. 3 - New Storm Sewer System with Two Tunnel Outiets
Construction Stage I
St. Albans Storm Tunnel $ 3.5 - 4.0 Million
C�nstruction Stage II
St. Albans Open-Cut Storm Sewers $ 3.5 - 4.2 Million
Construction Stage III
Western Storm Tunnel $ 5.0 - 5.3 Million
Construction Stage IV
Western Open-Cut Storm Sewers $ 3•� - 3•5 Million
TOTAL 15.� -17.0 Million
Alternate No. 4 - New Storm Sewer System with Two Tunnel Outlets and
New Trunk Sanitary Sewer
Construction State I (a)
Trunk Sanitary Sewer � Open-Cut Storm
and Sanitary Sewers $ 4.2 Million �
Construction Stage I (b)
Trunk Sanitary Sewer and Open-Cut Storm
and Sanitary Sewers $ 4.2 Million
Construetion Stage II
St. Albans Storm Tunnel and
Trunk Storm Sewer $ 4.9 Million
Construction Stage III
Western Storm Tunnel $ 3.5 Million
TOTAL � . Million
In Alternative No. 3 - New storm sewer with two tunnel outlets, the construction
of the St. Albars and blestern Storm Tunnels would have minimal , if any, effect on
the area. The construction of the open-cut storm sewers in the street right-of-way
would cause some disruption and inconvenience to the residents. However, storm
sewer construction, due to the lesser depth of excavation, generally creates less
disruption than sanitary sewer canstruction. The construction of Stage i and il of
Alternative No. 3 at an expenditure of $$.2 Million, would accomplish the desired
final results in over one-half of the St. Anthony Hill area. Therefore, a sizeable
portion of the area would no longer have sewer backups and woutd have a storm sewer
system capabie of receiving the runoff from a five-year storm. The combined sewer
. .
� Mayor George Latimer -3- February 14, 1978
.
� system in the remaining one-half of the St. Anthony Hill area would have increased
capacity due to the removal of the upstream storm runoff. The final two con-
struction stages would completely solve the area's problems of under-capacity
sewers.
In Alternative No. 4 - New storm sewer with two tunnel outlets and new trunk
sanitary sewer, the canstruction of the St. A16ans and smaller Western storm
tunnels would have minimal , if any, effect on the area. It is our opinion tfiat
considerable disruption of the area will occur due to the construction of the new
trunk sanitary sewer and other sanitary sewers. It is difficult, without pretiminary
design plans, to accurately determine to what extent this disruption would oecur.
It is general knowledge, however, that the construction of sanitary sewers cause
considerable more disruption than the construction of storm sewers, especially in
an urban area. The deeper excavation depth necessary for sanitary sewers may
cause serious conflicts with existing utilities such as gas, telephone, water, etc.
in the street right-of-way. The wider trench width creates greater disturbance
and more extensive replacement of street surfacing, curbing and boulevards.
Alternative No. 4 would result in the disruption of approximately 15� more resi-
dential streets than Alternative No. 3. The construction of new sanitary lines
would require the interruption and reconnection of all house sanitary services
along the new line.
Utilization of certain existing combined sewers is planned under this alternative.
The rehabilitation proposed for these combined sewers is to be to a level that
will make the projected service life of these pipes equal to any new system con-
structed. The majority of the sewer system within the St. Anthany Hill area is
50 to 90 years old and rehabilitatiort to the level of a new pipe may require the
complete replacement of these pipes. Without a careful rehabilitation project,
the planned continued surcharging of old sewers may result in serious maintenance
problems.
The construction of Stage 1 (a) and I (b) of Alternative No. 4 at an expenditure
of $8.4 Million would, at its completion, eliminate sewer backups and combined
sewage surface flooding in the area. However, surface flooding would still
continue at about the same frequency and intensity experienced presently. Stage
II would provide the desired final results of elimination of sewer backups and a
storm sewer system capable of receiving the runoff from a five-year storm in
approximately one-half of the St. Anthony Hill area. The final Stage II con-
struction would conpletely solve the area's problem of under-capacity sewers.
It has been suggested that a final benefit of the Consultant's recommended
Alternative No. 4 is its potential for State and Federal funding as a replacement
sanitary sewer. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's criteria for the deter-
mination of project priority under which Alternative No. 4 would be evaluated is
the same criteria used by the Agency when the City requested funding for the St.
Atban's Storm Tunnel in 1974. It is extremely doubtful that Alternative No. 4
would receive a priority high enough to receive funding.
_ _
.� .
' Mayor George Latimer -4- February 14, 1978
In conclusion, it may be necessary to perform further preliminary design analysis
of the two alternatives in regard to the effect on utilities, tntensified Treat-
ment Areas, major arterial or collector streets and possible future maintenance
problems. This could further establish that one alternative or a combination of
both may be the most cost effective and practical design method. As the prelimi-
nary cost of Alternative No. 3 and the refined cost of Alternative No. 4 are
approximately the same, it is recommended that the Department of Public Works be
directed to initiate final design on a separated type sewer system for the St.
Anthony Hiil area. Said design considerations to include further refinements of
the Consultant's feasible Alternative Plo. 3, so as to determine the best soiution
to meet the needs of both the City and the St. Anthony Hill residents.
REB/ck
�
GTY OF SAINT PAUL
INTER-DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM •
DATE: February 10, 1978 '
T0: Mayor George Latimer �
FROM: James J. Bellus �7
RE: Thomas-Dale Sewer Funding
Assignment �
The Mayor's Office requested the Division of Planning to examine availability
of funding for the Thomas-Dale Sewer Project from other than local sources.
Ken Dzugan and Greg Haupt of the Division of Planning examined Metro Council
policies, Minnesota Pollution Control palicies, relevant portions of Tit1e 40,
Part 35 Code of Federal Re ulations (Clean Water Act and amendments) as well
as portions of Public Law 95-217 Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 197.7).
In summary, the findings are not encouraging. Under present Metro Council ,
state and federal policies and laws, it is extremely unlikely that the City
of Saint Paul could qualify for any type of assistance for eonstruction of -
the sewer. The only current sources of federal funding for local sewage
collection systems are the CDBG Rrogram and the Farmers' Home Administration
(grants to cities of under 5,000 population).
Findings
1 . Metro Couneil
Metro Council policies on wastewater manage�nent are contained in the Develop-
ment Guide chapter entitled Wastewater Management. Although the Guide does
speak to the need for maintaining and replacing as necessary existing sewers
in the Urban Service Area, the policies themselves pertain only to sewers
and treatment plants owned by the Metropolitan Wastewater Control Commission
(MWCC). Therefore, for example, policy 12A, which establishes priorities
for metro sewer system capital investment, is applicable only to sewers `
owned by the MWCC. Policy 12A states that a Metro Council priority is:
"Maintenance and replacement of the existing system when necessary to correct
or avoid threats to health or public welfare or when necessary to sustain
current levels of operating efficiency." While on the face of it this policy
would appear to support Saint Paul 's proposed Thomas-Dale facility, the Metro
Council intends this policy to be applicable orrly to capital investment within
its jurisdiction, i.e. , facilities of the MWCC. The Metro Council does not
provide funds for improvement of local collection systems.
�"�O
__ . _ _ . _
.
�'. ' .
Z. State and Federal
State funds available for wastewater treatment facilities and sewers are
provided by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). These monies
are allocated to the MPCA under provisions of the Clean Water Act Amend-
ments of 1972. The purpose of the Act is to clean up the nation's waters,
not to provide assistance to local governments which have a backlog of
sewer projects. As a result, the Act states as first priority construction
of wastewater treatment plants; as second priority, construction of intery
ceptor sewers which replace obsolete treatment plants; as third priority,
wastewater collection systems. Furthermore, the Act establishes that
states have responsibility for developing a priority list of projects to
be funded.
Pursuant to the Aet the MPCA has issued guidelines on compliance with the
Act. Its guidelines set four categories in order of priority. First
priority is sewage treatment and related major interceptors, interceptors
to eliminate inadequate sewage treatment facility or an irr�nediate health
hazard. The second MPCA priority is for waste treatment works for munici-
pal water treatment plants and power plants. Third priority under MPCA
guidelines is interceptors, and fourth priority is sanitary sewer systems,
sewer separation, etc. The MPCA funds all first priority projects before _
proceeding to second priority projects. Then it funds all second priority
projects before proceeding to third priority, etc. As a matter of practice,
the MPCA has yet to fund any fourth priority projects.
Furthermore, it is unlikely that any such project would even be considered
before the late Summer of 1979. This is because the joint MPCA-MWCC �
Combined Sewer Overflow Study (CSO) (required: under provisions of the
1972 Act) will not be completed before that date, and I�PCA is not funding
any sewer separation or sanitary sewer projects until the study is completed.
The reason is that any separation or sanitary projects are required to be
cost effective and without the CSO cost effectiveness cannot be determined.
However, in December 1977 Congress passed Public Law 95-217, the Clean Water
Act of 1977. While certain types of projects will be even less likely to
receive funding under its provisions than under the 1972 Act, the new
statute requires the administrator of the U. S. Environmental Protection
Agency to "submit to the Congress by October 1978 a report on the status
of combined sewer overflow in municipal treatment works operations." It
appears that Congress' intent is to determine the severity nationwide of
combined sewer overflow problems, perhaps with the thought in mind of
specifically addressing federal assistance to that need (Laws of 95th
Congress-lst SESS. , 91 STAT. 1608). Nonetheless , the 1977 Clean Water Act
as passed into law denies funding to projects of the Thomas-Dale type.
In conclusion then, the present situation with �espect to state ar federal
funding of the Thomas-Dale sewer project is bleak.
Alternatives Available
1 . Despite the planning staff's interpretation of state and federal regulations
and policies, the Mayor has the option of applying for MPCA assistance in
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funding the Thomas-Dale Sewer Project as a test of the applicability of
these regulations and policies in this instance.
2. In view of the study required of the EPA administration by Congress and
in view of the local combined overflow study, the second alternative
would be to defer a decision on the Thomas-Dale Sewer project until late
1979 when both the results of these two studies and congressional
' intentions are better known. •
3. The Mayor has the option, of course, of funding the project through 1oca1
sources and proceeding as soon as desirable. However, present Federal
regulations are such that once construction is begun, no portion of the
project could receive Federal assistance.
4. To get around this loss of reimbursibility problem and keep future options
open, the project could be redesigned as several smaller projects, each
independent of the others. Federal funding could be applied for later
portions if changes in eligibility criteria are made by Congress after
the EPA administrator makes his report and after the combined sewer over-
flow study is complete. In this case the separate projects should be done
with the least likely to be funded project first and the most likely to
be funded last. This would require additional engineering work to separate
projects. This could mean that the projects might not be done in the order
which could provide the quickest relief to residents. Also, a legal
determination would have to be made on whether or not the projects designed
were "legally" separate. If future projects become eligible it could mean
up to 90% state and federal funds for eligible projects. It is anticipated "
that �85 to $90 million dollars of federal water pollution control funds
will be available to Minnesota in each of the next five fiscal years.