The Northfield City Council received some surprising and troubling news during their work session on Tuesday night. A new report on the Drinking Water Treatment Plant that is under development right now, shows the cost of construction to be 70% higher than originally estimated.
Northfield City Administrator said the plant will cost just over $58 million to build, rather than the original price of $33 million.
There are many reasons, he said, for the increase. The original design has had to be modified and the footprint expanded because the reverse osmosis tanks are too heavy to be stacked as had been planned. Because the tanks must be separated, the plant has had to be expanded. Inflation works into the problem as well. Since this version of the treatment plant was proposed in 2021, construction costs have increased by 10% every year. Space for increased capacity planning for future development in Northfield has been added as well, which also contributed to the increase.
The City of Northfield has been planning a new reverse osmosis plant for at least five years, when a study showed slightly elevated levels of manganese in the city’s water supply, exceeding the secondary levels recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency. At the current level, the water is dangerous for infants and can cause learning disabilities and even ADHD. Martig said if his family was that young, they would be looking for alternatives to tap water.
“Basically, the advice that we’re giving is, women who are pregnant and infants up to, I believe, 12 months are not advised to drink our water because of the elevated manganese levels. If my wife was pregnant or if I had a young infant, I would not have them drinking out of our tap.”
The cost increase might slow down the building process, but by no means does it shut the project down. Martig said final construction documents will be ready at the end of the month, and in the meantime the city will be looking for help from the Federal Government. There are several grants that the city has identified to help with exactly this type of project. However, should the grant money not come through, Martig said the City of Northfield will continue with the project. Without grant money, he estimates the average water bill will increase from $20 each month in 2024 to $50 each month by 2028, and possibly more.
“Costs will be going up no matter what. We’ve been fortunate in Northfield to have really low water prices in. Comparatively, most cities our size have this type of or have had this water plant system, and if they don’t, they’re probably building them. But it’s going to put our water rates right in line with our peer groups. We’ve gotten by with some lower cost, but now it is going to cost us more, unfortunately.”
Martig said the council will make a final judgment on the project next month.
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Northfield City Administrator Ben Martig can be heard here
Seven local candidates vying for mayor, three for City Council Ward #2 in August primary
The City of Northfield is reminding all residents ages 18 and older that early voting for the August primary elections has begun in Minnesota.
Some Northfield voters will have choices in two separate local elections. There are seven candidates for mayor and there are three candidates for City Council in Ward #2. The candidates with the top two vote totals will move on to the general election. Those who identify as Republicans and Democrats will also be asked to select a candidate for the United States Congressional Second District where Democratic incumbent Angie Craig is being challenged by Marc Ives, and Joe Teirab is one of several Republicans vying for that party’s nomination. There are eight Republican candidates for United States Senator, and five Democratic candidates, including incumbent Amy Klobuchar. Those with the highest vote totals by party will be the names on the November ballot.
Northfield voters may cast their votes at City Hall by filling out an absentee ballot in the second-floor training room. An absentee ballot may also be filled out and returned by mail and must be received before the primary election date in order to be valid.
Northfield City Hall is open for voting on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 7:30am – 4:30pm, Tuesdays from 7:30am – 6pm, and Fridays from 8am – noon. Voting will also be open on Saturday, August 10th from 9am – 3pm, and on Monday August 12th from 7:30am – 5:00pm. Voters must be in line to vote 15 minutes prior to poll closing time.
Dakota County residents who would like to vote early on Friday afternoons when City Hall is closed can go to the Dakota County Government Center in Hastings, from 8am – 4:30pm. City Hall will also be closed this week on Thursday and Friday in observance of Independence Day.
The Primary Election Day is Tuesday, August 13th. General Election Day is Tuesday, November 5th.
Several improvements to be made to a section of Woodley Street
And as the road construction projects move forward this summer, the city has indicated that a section of Woodley Street between College Street and Winona Street will close for just under three weeks beginning on Sunday.
Improvements include installing new storm sewers, concrete streets, sidewalks, crossings and a bike bypass lane.
Detour signs will be posted directing traffic to use Division Street, Sumner Street, and Maple Street.
A Statement issued by the City of Northfield said it is committed to being forward-thinking by enhancing the quality of city streets for all Northfield residents. The city urged motorists to always drive with caution, slow down in work zones, and never enter a road blocked with barriers or cones.
KYMN Daily News 7/18/24
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
