The wastewater treatment facilities plan, presented by Chris Swanson of Bolton and Mink, highlighted six key areas requiring improvement: the Courland receiving station, the main force main from the 20th Street lift station, flow and load equalization, blower improvements, control upgrades, and a potential solar project. Swanson emphasized the necessity of these upgrades due to the plant’s original construction in 1972, making many components over 52 years old. He noted that concrete structures typically last no more than 75 years.

A significant portion of the discussion focused on the blowers within the facility, which are important for providing oxygen to bacteria that break down waste. The current backup blowers, dating back to 1972, are energy-intensive and increasingly obsolete. The council discussed plans to replace these with smaller, more efficient blowers to offer operational flexibility and ensure continuous service in case of failures. Although turbo blowers have been installed recently, they face similar servicing challenges due to limited staff availability.

Swanson also addressed the consideration of solar energy generation at the plant. However, the proposal was shelved after determining that the 25-year payback period was not economically viable, especially given the panels’ lifespan of 15 to 20 years and space limitations for installation. Instead, the council focused on other infrastructure improvements, with Swanson stressing the need for an equalization basin to handle heavy industrial loads, optimizing treatment processes, and expanding biosolids processing capabilities.

The council reviewed a infrastructure project costing between $8 million and $10 million, covering blower improvements and the rehabilitation of the Courtland receiving station. This project seeks funding from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Public Facilities Authority, known for providing low-interest loans and grants. The projected monthly impact on users is estimated to be slightly over $8, with costs intended to be incorporated into the existing rate structure.

Following a public hearing, the council passed a resolution accepting the wastewater treatment facilities plan, allowing its submission to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. This marked a decisive step toward securing the necessary funding and ensuring New Ulm’s wastewater infrastructure remains effective and compliant with regulations.

Beyond wastewater treatment, the council addressed a proposal for managed GIS services to support New Ulm Public Utilities. This plan aims to integrate systems across various utilities and improve data management. A motion was made to request proposals for the service, which passed unanimously.

The council also considered a proposal from HDR Engineering for General Engineering Services. This arrangement allows the city access to engineering expertise on an as-needed basis, billed hourly with no charges if services are not utilized. This proposal was also authorized without opposition.

The meeting saw discussions on replacing an industrial condensate line due to a significant leak discovered in October. Ari Carlson, the vendor with the lowest quote, was approved for the project at $31,200. Additionally, a new hoist for the water department was approved, replacing an older model from the early 1990s, with the council accepting a quote from Upward Hoist Installers LLC for $977.

Other significant purchases included the approval of a Polaris Ranger XP for the gas department and a 2025 Ford F-150 4×4 Super Crew XL pickup truck to replace an older model. The council authorized these purchases, citing their necessity for operational tasks like leak detection and snow removal.

The council also discussed the need for the rehabilitation of the Indian Point lift station due to a major leak found during routine maintenance. A budgeted project amounting to $71,000 was approved to address this issue.

Bolton and Mink were approved for engineering services related to repairs at the wastewater treatment plant outfalls, part of a larger $100,000 project. This motion passed without opposition.