HomeMy WebLinkAbout06.16.98 Special Council Minutes
SPECIAL JOINT CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Special Meeting Minutes
June 16, 1998
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Ristow at 7:00 p.m. Council members present included Lacelle
Cordes, Bill Fitch, Steve Strachan.
Council member Don Gamer was absent, but did submit a written statement concerning his opposition to
Castle Rock's proposed industrial park development and general concern with ground water
contamination.
Also in attendance were County Commissioner Joe Harris and the Castle Rock Township Board
represented by Chairman Al Angus.
A meeting agenda was adopted by the City Council. The purpose of this meeting was to discuss the recent
findings by Dakota County that standing water in the storm water drainage ditch located at the
intersection of Ash Street and 6th Street was contaminated with fecal coliform bacteria at significant
levels.
A number of issues were discussed concerning the possibility that private septic systems were failing in
the township, the possibility of a City lift station force main leak and options relative to the resurrection
of the Ash Street Reconstruction Project and Prairie Waterway UII projects were also discussed.
Representatives from all three jurisdictions were concerned about the implications of ground water
contamination in the area and decided that Dakota County Environmental Services Department would test
all private septic systems in the area extending from the Dakota County Fairgrounds to the west and to the
township golf course east of Highway 3.
It was discussed that identifying the source of the contamination was the first priority and then discussing
both short-term and long-term solutions should come next. Extensive conversations were held regarding
the type of private systems now serving township residents.
Commissioner Harris indicated that if contamination was occurring it would need to be stopped within the
provisions established under the County Ordinance regulating private septic systems. Mayor Ristow
indicated his desire to move into a more long-range solution that would permanently resolve long-
standing concerns of environmental contamination. Castle Rock Chairman Angus indicated his
willingness to work with the City, but maintained his desire to retain township property that would serve
as the holding pond as well as having the township manage the construction of the third phase of the
Prairie Waterway.
Township and City residents attending the meeting expressed their support of taking some action to
permanently resolve this situation, including the extension of municipal services into this area.
Another meeting was scheduled to review testing results on July 7, 1998 at 7:00 p.m. at the Farmington
City Hall Council Chambers. Meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m.
Re~p~~t~ubmitted,
--;.l..:. ~~
.John Erar
I City Administrator