HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-22-13 Public Works & Property VacationPUBLIC WORKS AND PROPERTY VACATION JULY 22, 2013
5:10 P.M.
Committee Members Present: Oliver Davis, Dr. David Varner (Excused Absence)
Valerie Schey, Gavin Ferlic
Other Council Present: Tim Scott, Henry Davis, Dr. Fred Ferlic, Karen White,
Derek Dieter
Others Present: Cecil Eastman, Eric Horvath, Cristal Briscoe
Agenda: Update — Eric Horvath — New Energy (Ethanol Plant)
The Public Works and Property Vacation Committee was called to order by Chairperson
Oliver Davis at the advertised time of 5:10 p.m. Only Dr. David Varner who was on
vacation was absent.
The purpose of the meeting was to hear an update from Eric Horvath, the Department of
Public Works Director, concerning the placement and operation of water wells near the
former New Energy Ethanol Plant. Since the Ethanol Plan closed ground water levels
near the plant had risen, flooding basements of nearby homes. Councilmember Oliver
Davis has since lead an effort to get the City to respond positively providing relief to the
scores of homeowners adversely affected. When the prospects for new ownership and
resumed operation look bleak the City proposed sinking several perimeter water wells to
lower the water table thus providing much needed relief to homeowners. After soil tests
were completed and a "relief plan was devised, pumps were activated with final
installation scheduled for October. In the meantime the plant was sold to an entity that
intends to resume operations albeit at a lower level. The amount of water needing to be
pumped to support a scaled down more efficient production process has yet to be
determined.
Eric Horvath said the new owners were "sensitive" to the plight of the nearby
homeowners. He said the City was negotiating the terms of a contract with the new
owners to address responsibility for costs of operating their water wells consistently
whether in production or not. To assure long -term relief for the homeowners the City
intends to sink new deeper wells than the originally proposed 40 foot wells. An operation
cost of the proposed 140 foot deep wells was yet to be determined.
Councilmember Davis thanked the City for their efforts on behalf of the homeowners.
He asked Eric Horvath to update the Council regularly and to meet with homeowners
personally as need to reassure relief.
Councilmember Tim Scott asked Eric to be mindful of addressing the odor problems of
the effluent generated by the production process.
There being no further business to come before the Council at this time, Chairperson
Oliver Davis adjourned the meeting at 5:32 p.m.
ration Committee