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LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL, MINUTES September 18, 1990 PAGE 6 6. CITY ENGINEER'S REPORT A. Public Water Supply - Update on Pipe Size and Number of Hydrants At the August 14, 1990 public hearing to consider fire protection along the route of the SW-1 watermain system, Larry Bohrer noted the general consensus was that fire protection was too expensive as proposed. Some suggestions were to install the large pipes now so that hydrants could be added in the future, increase the spacing of the hydrants, or increase the assessable area. Bohrer recommended the increased main size and some type of fire protection. If the City desires fire protection, the City should request an amendment to the Oakdale agreement and the Council should consider the lower cost option and/or increased assessment area. Councilman Williams noted he did not hear at the public hearing an outcry for fire protecion, but did hear people asking for houses to be hooked up. The Comp Plan states we are going to be private well and septic system until at least the year 2010, and he felt we are now getting away from the intent of providing safe drinking water to the 81 homes in the well advisory area. Councilman Graves commented he was not sure this groundwater contamination is limited to the existing area because they have seen expansion this last year. If in the future the contamination has expanded outside of this area, we would have to replace the pipes with larger capacity pipes to provide safe drinking water. As representatives of the community Graves felt they have an obligation to take advantage of an opportunity to provide the extra protection that the fire hydrants would give these people. Graves suggested we contact Oakdale about fire protection and hold a public hearing on Alternate No. 2 as described in the Engineers's .letter dated September 18, 1990. If there is further contamination beyond the existing area, Councilman Hunt noted the Counties are responsible for cleanup. There were only a few residents at the public hearing that stated they would be in favor of oversizing the pipes for fire protection if the City could pay for it. Our goal is to provide a safe water supply for the residents in the contaminated area, and not get carried away to put a water system for the entire area. He would be willing to hold a public hearing on Alternate No. 2. M/No Second Graves/No Second - to direct the City staff, with the support of the City Engineer, to approach Oakdale to increase the service area and fire fighting flow rate as an amendment to the contract and schedule a public hearing to discuss the Alternate No. 2. as stated in Larry Bohrer's letter. Councilman Williams explained he could not second the motion because he had a philosophical problem in expanding the municipal water system beyond a specific preblen area, based on the comp plan which states are will not provide city water and sewer to any areas outside the MUSA,