WILLMAR -- Representatives of an engineering firm working for the city will be in Washington this week, making the case for federal grants to help pay for a new wastewater treatment plant.
The City Council's Finance Committee reviewed a grant application on Tuesday.
The application seeks a $2 million federal grant for fiscal year 2007, which begins on Oct. 1. It includes a description of the project and cites the need to replace a 70-year-old plant that uses outdated, failed technology and cannot handle the city's continued growth.
The application will be posted on the city's Web site soon, joining a project description posted there this week, said Sam Lahanis, program manager for Donohue and Associates, the city's engineering firm.
Lahanis said the application condenses the project and would be a good resource for council members when they speak to groups in the community.
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In all, the city plans to ask for $10 million in federal funding and another $10 million in state funding over several years, said City Administrator Michael Schmit.
The project is expected to cost $80 million.
Without federal and state help, residential sewer rates in the city could triple -- from an average monthly rate of $16.68 to $46 -- according to the application.
"We've got to get every dime we can get, to hold rates down for users," said Committee Chairman Denis Anderson.
Higher rates could affect economic development, particularly for industries that use a lot of water, he added.
The new plant will address capacity problems and help the city meet stricter treatment standards, Lahanis said, while other communities will be looking for ways to deal with those standards in the future.
The committee also made the following recommendations, which will be considered by the City Council at its next meeting.
- To authorize the city staff to temporarily borrow up to $50,000 from the city's revolving loan fund to buy furniture and equipment for the new airport terminal. The terminal is carpeted, but there is no furniture in it yet. Schmit said he wanted to furnish the terminal before a Minnesota Council of Airports conference in Willmar in mid-April. The organization plans to tour the airport.
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Schmit said he would seek quotes for the furniture and did not expect to need the entire amount, which was an estimate from the previous airport manager.
- To authorize contributing $2,000 for the travel expenses of two Willmar police officers who are members of the state's Law Enforcement Association honor guard. The Minnesota honor guard will be the official honor guard for a number of National Police Week events in Washington, D.C., in May.
