031025 UAB Minutes
Mountain Iron Utility Advisory Board
10 March 2025 Minutes
Meeting was called to order 5:02 PM by Chairperson Renzaglia
Members present: Reynold Renzaglia, Sue Tuomela, Ron Ostman, Bret Renzaglia and Jacob Osell Others present: Julie Buria, Council Liaison, Tim Satrang, Public Works Director
Members absent: None
Chairman Renzaglia made a motion to approve the consent agenda Sue Tuomela second the motion. Motion passed unanimously
Brief discussion on the two communications:
MPCA Transformer Storage Inspection. The City was given less than a day notice of an inspection by MPCA staff, of the transformer storage area. The inspector notified Satrang the City should expect a response within three-months. The information will be sent to the EPA. Satrang was informed not to expect any feedback from the EPA for 2-3 years.
Minnesota Department of Labor requested an apprentice review. MDL will request information with a follow meeting. Currently there is no active apprentice working with the City. Most likely there will be some personal change this summer.
Chairman Renzaglia moved the New business item of the WWTP NPDES permit to the beginning of the agenda:
Satrang introduced Tom Dye with MSA Professional Services. Tom discussed the new Mountain Iron NPDES Permit issued to Mountain Iron in 2024 that included a new very low phosphorus effluent limit and a low mercury limit. The new permit requires Mountain Iron to be able to meet these limits by December of 2029.
Two-pilot studies have/will be done to determine a technology that will help meet the new stringent limits. Both will be a fabric filter (each being a little different). Also, need for competition.
A Facility Plan needs to be completed. Dye explained a facility plan is a detailed document that guides the planning, design, construction, and operation of a treatment plant. The plan will demonstrate the need for the project and consider future growth, stricter water quality standards, and addressing aging infrastructure.
Next would be a design phase, construction, and training. Two-year construction will be expected. Dye said MSA has a funding team that will assist communities with attaining funding.
Public Forum:
Brad Gustafson introduced himself as a new City Councilor. Brad brought up discussion on where Mountain Iron’s electricity is generated. Discussion took place on MISO
Outage Reports:
Electrical:
- 3 January 2025 Fuse cut out West of 8586 Rock Ridge Drive
- 16 January 2025 Fuse cut out lift station near 8480 Mud Lake Road
Water:
- 8 January 2025 8788 Greenwood Lane-circumference crack 8-inch ductile
- 8 February 2025 8788 Greenwood Lane-circumference crack 8-inch ductile
- 15 February 2025 8780 Greenwood Lane-circumference crack 8-inch ductile
Unfinished Business:
Electrical System Five Year Plan Review Progress: A refocus on the Five-Year Electrical Plan.
A
Satrang updated the Board on the progress of the HWY 169 electrical project. Project will resume when frost comes out most likely early May. One apartment along with five commercial buildings on the North side of HWY 169 need the voltage conversion. Work will also start on the South side of HWY 169 allowing the conversion of the remaining businesses and houses.
EV charging. Waiting on update from MP contractor
Discussed the Thermographic and Airborne ultrasound study. Discussed problematic areas.
New Business
Refuse Rates:
Discussion took place on the differences of other communities and Mountain Iron is the vast territory the current garbage route is. Another difference is other communities have multi-family refuse containers. This allows for less time and fewer operations of equipment per routes.
Satrang proposes these changes:
First, the City has been required to collect a solid waste fee from property owners on behalf of Saint Louis County. Staff is recommending a request to SLC that they start collecting the fee. This currently shows up a $7.08 each Month.
Second, curb side recycling be offered only one day/month. Currently the curb side recycling follows the schedule of the garbage route, one week per month. Because of fixed costs associated with scheduling and operation of equipment, a cost savings is anticipated in a schedule adjustment. The City gives the citizens an opportunity to save by recycling. The theory is if you recycle it’s possible to reduce the size of refuse container needed.
Thirdly, the possibility of adjusting the weekly refuse pick-up schedule from a current five-day schedule to a four-day schedule. Again, fixed costs associated with operating equipment each day the City should see a cost savings.
And Fourth, Satrang proposed two scenarios of cost adjustments: First, a three percent increase and second a 5 percent increase. The revenue increase would be minimal, but with the adjustments in scheduling and equipment use, the Refuse Enterprise should result in savings. Re-evaluation is recommended in the first part of 2026.
Chairman Renzaglia made a motion to change the Curb Side Recycling schedule from the current five-day pick up per month to a one-day pick up. Also, have staff work on and implement the current five-day Refuse pick up to a four-day pick up. Seconded by Jacob Osell. After discussion- the motion passed unanimously.
Bret Renzaglia made a motion to increase rates 3%. Sue Tuomela seconded. Chairman Renzaglia requested the motion be changed to 5% – it was not agreed to the change. Motion passed 4-1
Open discussion:
Next meeting was set at 4:00 PM 22 April 2025
Announcements:
Meeting Adjourned at 6:31 PM
Respectfully submitted,
Tim Satrang
Director of Public Works
