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| | 1. | | Review and approval of the minutes from the December 14, 2016 meeting.
Minutes note: Meeting convened: 9:04 A.M.
Members excused: Mark Nicolini (William Christianson present for him), Ald. Bauman and Jeff Mantes
Ald. Coggs arrrived at 9:20 A.M. | | | |
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| | 2. | | Presentation of the Sewers Condition Report.
Minutes note: Mr. Zafar Yousuf discussed the condition of the City’s sewer system. He said the system has 2,461.4 miles of sewer mains. Mr. Yousuf provided the following information regarding the age of the sewer system.
Combined Sanitary Storm All
< 50 years 274.4 miles (50%) 346.4 miles (37%) 214.6 miles (22% 835.4 miles (34%)
21-90 years 110.9 miles (20%) 535.2 miles (57%) 637.6 (66%) 1283.7 miles (52%)
> 90 years 164.6 miles (30%) 62.9 miles (6%) 114.8 miles (12%) 342.3 miles (14%)
Mr. Yousuf discussed sewer exam frequency. He said sewers over 100 years old are examined every 5 years. Sewers that are between 75 and 99 years old are examined every 15 years. Sewers that are between 50 and 74 years old are examined every 25 years. Sewers less than 50 years old are not examined unless there is a complaint or a paving project is planned. The department averages about 140 miles of sewer exams per year.
Mr. Yousef said that 90 years is the industry benchmark for the useful life sewers, but that sewers may continue to function adequately for much longer. He said that in order to maintain a 90 year replacement cycle the City should replace 27.3 miles or sewer main each year. Over the last 10 years the replacement has averaged 25.5 mile per year.
Mr. Yousuf said the department is working to reduce inflow and infiltration in areas that the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) has determined to be non-compliant. The department has relined 117 miles of sewer main and repaired 9,000 sewer manholes. Mr. Christianson asked if any areas have been brought into compliance. Mr. Sprangers said that MMSD is using longer modeling which has allowed some areas to be removed from the non-compliant list, other areas, however have been added. He said that MMSD wants to see five years of data before determining if an area is compliant.
Mr. Kurt Sprangers discussed the City’s use of green infrastructure. He said that over the last 8 years the department has installed 149 bio-swales which have captured 600,000 gallons of runoff. Twelve alleys have been constructed with permeable pavement totaling 8,935, square feet, capturing over 800,000 gallons of runoff. He said there have been two permeable pavement projects; Greenfield Avenue from S. 1st Street east to its terminus (1,950 SF 117,000 gallons) and W. Freshwater Way from S. 3rd Street to S. 6th Street. (1,445 SF 31,075 gallons). Pervious sidewalk has been installed through driveways at 92 locations. (4,700 SF 13,800 gallons). Mr. Sprangers said that approximately 45 bio-swales are planned for installation in 2017.
Mr. Sprangers said that permeable pavement is inspected visually, but that the department is considering an infiltration test to determine if the pavement is working properly. He said that permeable pavement requires vacuuming and that the department is looking to partner with other communities to share the necessary equipment.
Mr. Sprangers discussed the Hartung Quarry floating island project. He said that vegetation will be planted in material which will float on the water. Microbes in the ecosystem created by the vegetation will help clean the water
Mr. Matson asked if the department is evaluating the feasibility of separating sewers. Mr. Tim Thur said the department is looking at some targeted areas of separation. He said that the cost is often prohibitive and that when sewers are separated some sort of treatment has to be provided for the runoff that will go directly into waterways.
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| | 3. | | Presentation of the Forestry Condition Report.
Minutes note: Mr. David Sivyer discussed the condition of the City’s trees and the department’s 2018 capital request. He said there are five capital requests; tree planting and production, stump removal, concealed irrigation, emerald ash borer response, and dead and hazard tree abatement. He said there are 193,948 street trees in the City. The department tries to maintain a 98% stocking density. There 309 distinct species or cultivars. Mr. Sivyer said that currently, the tree population is not as diversified as he would like it to be. He said 89% of the street trees are rated as being in fair or better condition. He said there are 30,450 ash trees
Mr. Sivyer said the department is asking for $1.5 million in 2018 to replace 4,284 trees. He said the department has a goal of replacing trees within 1 year of removal. At this time only about half of the trees removed are replaced within one year. Mr. Sivyer said annual tree removals have increased from 3,600 trees per year to 4,200. The increase is primarily due to an aging Norway maple population. Many of the trees removed during the Dutch Elm epidemic were replaced with Norway maples.
Ald Coggs asked how the department determines where to plant trees. Mr. Sivyer said that potential planting sites generally have constraints. He said the need to maintain distance from driveway approaches, light poles, water utilities, laterals and other items will limit where trees can be planted. Ald. Coggs, asked if lining vacant lots with trees was a new departmental strategy. Mr. Sivyer said that the City has received two grants to plant trees on vacant lots. Originally, the intent of the grant was to provide trees for people who purchased a property. He said the number of trees available exceeded the requests from purchasers, so some trees were placed on vacant lots. He said trees are generally placed near the street and that the department is targeting areas where there is little or no space between the sidewalk and the curb. Ald. Coggs requested more coordination on site selection.
Mr. Sivyer discussed stump removal. He said the department is requesting $500,000 for the removal of 2,000 stumps in 2018. He said the stump backlog has been reduced by about 700 stumps per year. He anticipates a 2018 end year backlog of 400 stumps. The stump backlog in 2014 was 3,300. Mr. Sivyer estimated that about $300,000 of contract stump removal will be required each year. He said the department is purchasing self-unloading soil trailer to use for backfilling stump removal holes. The trailer should be delivered in a few weeks.
Mr. Sivyer discussed the emerald ash borer treatment program. He said the department is transitioning to 3 year cycle. Trees will be treated in 2017 and 2018 at higher level so that the treatment will last longer. He said other communities are following the City’s model and we are now competing for the same seasonal work force. The City has been treating ash trees since 2009. He said that each treatment creates a wound and that repeated wounding could impact the tree’s health and inhibit its ability to distribute the chemical throughout its entire structure. The cost of a three year cycle will about the same because you have to use more chemical. Mr. Sivyer said it is not known if there is a limit to the number of times a tree can be treated. Mr. Sivyer said that emerald ash borer has been found in 60% of the City’s quarter sections. He said the infestation is probably broader than that.
Mr. Sivyer discussed the Hazard Tree Assessment program. He said the department is projecting a 430% increase in dead and hazard trees in 2018. The department would like to add an additional position to do inspections and processing for trees that are identified as hazards. He said there will be a 5 or 6 year wave of removals as the emerald ash borer moves through the City.
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