04/09/2003 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION APRIL 9, 2003 APPROVED 1111 Mr. John Christiansen, Centennial School District, stated the district will be requesting a variance to place a well on the Rice Lake Elementary School property to expedite a well for an irrigation system. The school district is looking for ways to save money and doing its own irrigation on the fields will cut costs. The type of well would meet all City standards and not be for any domestic use. • • City Engineer Studenski advised the well system was previously reviewed and there were a number of issues that needed to be addressed including the ordinance and specifics on the well. At this point, Staff is recommending denial of the request. City Administrator Waite Smith stated staff has met with the school district. Tim Hillsheim was present and reviewed a letter from John Powell, previous City Engineer, regarding the concerns surrounding a well. Those concerns have been addressed. She noted Staff must make a recommendation based on the City ordinance. Councilmember Carlson stated it would be difficult to address homeowners that also want to put in a well. The City has to treat taxpayers as fairly as the school district. Councilmember O'Donnell stated he believes there would be a cost savings to the residents. Councilmember Dahl asked for clarification regarding the revenue that is paid to the City for the current water use. She asked how much a well would cost to construct. Mr. Christiansen advised a well will cost approximately $80,000. Councilmember Carlson requested a copy of the letter from the previous City Engineer regarding this issue. Mr. Christiansen stated the school district has modified the well structure since the previous review to meeting all City specifications. A representative from the school district will be present at the Council meeting on Monday night. It was the consensus of the Council to add the Centennial School District Request for Irrigation Well to the regular Council agenda. Councilmember O'Donnell requested the documentation that all previous concerns have been addressed in regard to the well. Councilmember Carlson requested information on the legality of allowing the school to have a well but not the residents when City services are available. This item will appear on the regular Council agenda Monday, April 14, 2003, 6:30 p.m.