NEW ULM — The New Ulm Public Utilities Commission (PUC) is continuing to review sewage hookup regulations.

In 2010, the PUC planned to notify all property owners presently hooked to an individual sewage treatment system that they must hook up to the city sewer if they are within 200 feet of an existing sewer line.

The reason for the regulation was wellhead protection. Taking these properties off septic tanks prevents wastewater from discharging to wellheads. It is a public health and environmental concern.

All non-conforming properties were required to connect to the city sewer within 60 days of receiving the notice. Nine years later, PUC cannot confirm if all customers affected by this regulation were notified.

In November, the PUC considered notifying all customers of the regulation. The new notification would give a five-year extension to comply with the regulation. It is believed a 60-day compliance notification would impose too great of a hardship on a residence.

However, during the November meeting, the commissioners were informed no penalty was in place for non-compliance.

Commissioners were considering offering a hardship payment program to help residents come into compliance, before tabling the issue.

Utilities staff has held meetings to discuss the legal process to initiate a connection to a sanitary sewer. It was advised changes to the regulation may be needed. Changes to the regulation will include a timeframe and limits as well as requirements on when to connect and consequences to non-compliance.

Utilities Director Kris Manderfeld said staff is also reviewing funding sources and assessments. The issue will be brought back to the commission at a later date.

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The public utilities’ 2020 budget was accepted. The operating revenue is $4,028,807, with an operating expense of $42,314, 366. The net income is $,395,512.

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The commission accepted a bid from United Farmers Cooperative to supply bulk diesel fuel and unleaded gasoline to city, public utilities, police department and fire department. The contract is for the cost of fuel plus $0.79 per gallon for diesel fuel and $0.75 per gallon for unlead gasoline.

The city owns two 2,000 gallon fuel tanks, one tank for diesel and the other for unleaded gasoline. Approximately 45,000 gallons of each fuel are consumed annually.

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A proposal was accepted for the overhaul of the Elliott turbine and control upgrade. Power Plant Services offered a low bid of $428,448 which is significantly under the $700,000 budgeted for the project.

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The 2020 Tom Bovitz $500 local scholarship was approved. Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association’s (MMUA) scholarship program was created as a public relations tool to increase awareness of public power. The program provides high school seniors the opportunity to earn a scholarship by writing an essay on the benefits of public power.

The New Ulm PUC has awarded $500 to a local winning essay. The deadline for this year’s essay is April 3, 2020. The local winning essay will be sent to the MMUA statewide contest.

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Commissioner William Swan was given an award in recognition of his nine years of service on the PUC.

Swan said his service to the commission was valuable for seeing how city government works and it was a great learning opportunity. Swan encouraged others to serve.