Pete Carlson, city engineer, brought the council up-to-date on the well contamination. “We have two of our four wells showing levels of contamination from benzene, a component of gasoline.
“The MPCA has identified several potential leak sources. They will be working with all the sites to sample ground water for sources of possible contamination. This should take anywhere from three to four months to complete,” Carlson said.
At present, the only well shut down is number four. After the next round of sampling in March, the city may need to shut down number three if the contamination levels remain high. Wells number five and six, dug in 1993 south of Highway 23, can keep up with the city’s winter water demands.
“We don’t need to panic yet, but we need to come up with a contingency plan none-the-less,” Carlson said.
In other business:
• The council heard a report from Carlson concerning the 1998 street improvement project. Forty-eight sets of plans were distributed for the project. The bids will be opened on Feb. 19.
• The council, following a closed session, authorized the city attorney to file a notice of taxation with the courts to bill John and Kathy Frandson for the costs and disbursements dealing with the special assessment adopted by the city of Paynesville for improvements to First Street.
• The council approved declaring the old restroom building at Gazebo Park as surplus property. The building is about 15 years old and not handicap accessible. It has not been used for three years.