by April Scheinoha
Reporter
Mark Borseth and Wayne Johnson were on a fact-finding mission at the Committee of the Whole meeting Tuesday, April 27. They wanted the Thief River Falls City Council’s opinion on the potential annexation of the Petro Pumper property.
Pat Gerszewski, co-owner of Petro Pumper and its affiliated car/truck wash, learned that the property’s septic system was failing in December. Gerszewski owns a total of about 64 acres in that area. His property includes Falls Stay N Play, the Western Professional Building and adjacent farmland. He asked city leaders if Petro Pumper and the car/truck wash could be annexed into the city and whether sanitary sewer could be extended to that location.
The septic system came to the attention of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency after a pipe was cut during construction nearby. Red liquid came out of the pipe, and the MPCA learned that Gerszewski had a large on-site mound system on his property. Such systems aren’t legal for car washes in Minnesota, said Johnson, city water systems superintendent. He noted this situation isn’t unusual. MPCA typically doesn’t learn of such systems until an incident occurs.
Shortly after Gerszewski’s call, the city’s Long Range Planning Committee met to discuss Gerszewski’s request and determined it wasn’t interested in extending sanitary sewer to Petro Pumper and the car/truck wash. The committee was unsure what the wastewater would contain. Gerszewski then researched whether a new on-site septic system could be installed. He found it wasn’t an option.
Gerszewski is working with the MPCA to resolve the problem. A holding tank is an option, said Johnson, who noted Gerszewski could then apply the wastewater to farm fields. Soil samples and wastewater testing would also be a part of that process.
Another option involves annexation, city water service and city sanitary sewer service. Committee of the Whole told Borseth that it wanted to annex all of Gerszewski’s property, not just Petro Pumper and the car/truck wash, if annexation were to occur.
If water and sanitary sewer were installed to the property, city leaders estimate it would cost $465,000. Borseth, public works director, said the city would responsible for paying about $52,000 with Gerszewski covering the remainder.
City Administrator Angie Philipp said the city is unable to bond for such a project. If the project were completed, she noted it should occur in 2022.
There are other things to consider. The City of Thief River Falls has a lagoon wastewater treatment system. Different bacteria, such as those entering from the car/truck wash, may affect the rest of the system. Mayor Brian Holmer indicated that no one knows what is in the wastewater at the business. Holmer indicated that people may wash their vehicle’s engine or vacuum their truck at the manual car/truck wash. He also pointed out the pink liquid observed in the ditch near Petro Pumper.
Other considerations include whether any growth is expected to occur west of Petro Pumper. Holmer was unaware of any planned projects for the years to come. However, he referred to the council’s past wishes to square up the city’s boundaries.
Council member Mike Lorenson wondered aloud how many years it would be before the city recouped its expenses if it were to extend service to Gerszewski’s property.
If the property were annexed into the city and received city service, Johnson indicated that the city would need to have an industrial use agreement with Gerszewski. It has a similar agreement with Northern Pride. The city would need to know what is exiting the business in terms of wastewater. A 24-hour composite sampling system would also be needed.
Calling the current matter a bad situation, Johnson said he has no problem working with Gerszewski. “We want to be business friendly as well,” said Johnson. “We try to watch out for all the residents, all the rate payers.”
Borseth was expected to communicate Committee of the Whole’s wishes to Gerszewski.
Committee of the Whole formed a Building Work Group to delve into issues with city buildings. Howe, Lorenson and council member Steve Narverud agreed to serve on the work group. Initial topics are expected to include the potential construction of an additional wall at City Hall and solving sewer problems at the Thief River Falls Public Library.
Committee of the Whole declined to sign a memorandum of understanding with Bird Rides Inc. The company wanted to offer 50 to 100 electric scooters at designated locations in the city for the public to use. The company approached city leaders about the opportunity.
Council member Rachel Prudhomme has observed the use of electric scooters in Scottsdale, Ariz. “I think they bring a host of issues,” she said.
The City of Scottsdale is considering various restrictions on electric scooter use. Problems have resulted from both their abandonment at various locations and their usage during overnight hours. Prudhomme indicated that there were 22 trips to a Scottsdale hospital trauma unit over a five-month period attributed to electric scooter usage.
About the opportunity, Holmer said, “I think this is one we could put to sleep.”