During the Big Lake City Council meeting on March 8, Jeff Zierdt, owner of Lupulin Brewing, presented BLFD Chief Seth Hansen with a check for $2,500. This money was raised during October in honor of fire prevention month. A custom brew, Hosemunster, was created using donated barrels, and Lupulin donated five dollars per bottle sold to the fire department. The brewery also hosted fun family events in the name of fire prevention.

Open Forum

Gloria Vande Brake of the Big Lake Chamber of Commerce spoke first during the open forum portion of the meeting. She encouraged those assembled to attend the upcoming community fair (March 18). She listed several fun attractions that will be featured at the fair, including live performances by local music, dance, and martial arts groups; free food samples; caricatures; free eyesight tests hosted by the Big Lake Lions; 52 exhibits from local businesses; and the winter farmer’s market. 

Zierdt (of Lupulin), was next to speak. He requested that council allow his business and others to once again allow service outdoors on their property. He claimed a misunderstanding of state law caused the council to send a letter to his business stating he could not serve alcoholic beverages outdoors. He noted that he was told city staff was in the process of reviewing the city policy and he asked that this be made a priority so his business could resume the practice of allowing patrons to indulge outdoors. 

Antidegradation Review

As the wastewater department was looking to the future to plan for the expected needs of the city, it was found that the city will likely surpass capacity. The flow projects are three times higher than the current flow rate at the wastewater treatment facility currently. It is anticipated to cause issues because it will require greater effort to clean the wastewater of contaminants such as phosphorus. Simply put, the wastewater treatment facility is not able to remove contaminants to the extent currently required at the flow rate they expect to have in the future.

Staff recommended that council authorize an antidegradation review. This will allow the state to determine if it’s appropriate to hold the city to more manageable limits on the contaminants. If determined appropriate, the city would no longer be held to as high a standard when it comes to removing phosphorus and other contaminants from the wastewater during the treatment process. 

The cost to perform the review was $26,000, but staff anticipated an additional cost of $4-$8 million towards the new wastewater project (this is outlined as a capital improvement project in the future for Big Lake) if the city were to continue to be held to their current treatment standards.

Ladder Truck Purchase

Chief Hansen approached the council to ask for approval to purchase a new ladder truck for the BLFD. Council had previously discussed the project during their workshop and had decided it was a good purchase for the city. In addition, Big Lake Township, the joint owner of the fire department, approved their part of the purchase in a meeting earlier in the month. 

Council Member Ken Halverson noted that there was a discount of $22,474 on the project should the city choose to pay at least 90 days in advance. The township opted not to do this, due to their own financial situation. However, Halverson wished, on the advice of Finance Director Deb Wegeleben, to pay the entire cost of the truck 90 days in advance so the city could make use of the savings, and have the township pay the city back their portion upon delivery of the truck. The rest of the council agreed to do this. 

Department Reports

Some highlights from the department reports included the following:

• Engineering noted that the 2022 streets projects would be resuming on the north side of the lakes, and that construction would begin on Co. Rd. 43 in late summer;

• The student liaison noted a successful Sno Daze week and literacy night.