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Minutes of the Arden Hills Regular Council Meeting, May 31, 1988 Page 3 . WATER TOWER (Cont'd) Lund advised it would be better at this time to determine how the system operates prior to installation of the altitude valve. He pointed out it was not necessary to install the valve at this time; he indicated the best time for installation would be in 5 years, at the time Roseville does routine maintenance on their tower and it is shut down. Lund noted that during that time epan Arden Hills could gather data sbout how the new water tower functions and what is happening in the water system. He also pointed out it would allow time for the City to formulate a decision as to how the tower should operate. Mayor Woodburn questioned how the Arden Hills water system was functioning at this time. Public Works Supervisor Raddatz advised the new tower has helped decrease the time the pumping station operates and reduces the time necessary to fill the old tower. Raddatz pointed out that without the controls installed in the new tower it is impossible to determine the water level. Councilmember Winiecki questioned if the old water tower in Arden Hills operates at full capacity and how the old tower would be affected by moving the controls to the new tower. Lund explained the old tower can fill to capacity, however, he was unsure at what level it currently operates. He stated the movement of the controls to the new tower would not affect the operation of the old tower. . Will Liebenow advised that Roseville. and some other communities, do not utilize their water towers at full capacity. It is his understanding the operators prefer to have a "cushion" area at the top of the tank. Councilmember Hansen said that this type of explanation should have been provided prior to the purchase of the water tower. She also questioned why a million gallon water tower was purchased if the system is working without the tank at full capacity. Hansen further questioned if the placement of the altitude valve at the Roseville tower would alleviate the problem, or if problems would surface again in the future at which time a recommendation may be made to install a booster station at Hamline Avenue. t Lund stated that it was unfortunate the communication breakdown occurred over the years the water tower was discussed. He explained the recommendation for the one million gallon water tower was based on population projections, and, at the time the recommendation was made Arden Hills was not fully developed. Lund advised that the altitude valve should alleviate the problem of the tank not filling to capacity and it would be the least costly solution, since the valve has little or no operating expense connected with it. He explained that when the City of Roseville completes its pumping test, which simulate having an altitude valve in the system, he will be better able to assess the operation of the new water tower in Arden Hills. Lund noted the test may show that the tower is serving its purpose at this time, and that it may not be necessary for Arden Hills to spend the money to install the valve at this time. Council discussed the fact that the water tower recommendation was based on an estimated population of 11,000; questioned if the tower would serve that population estimate if the tank operate a at full capacity. It was noted that the water tower will serve that only if more money is spent to bring the level to full capacity. Liebenow pointed out that with the installation of the altitude valve the amount of money ultimately spent will not exceed what was provided in the feasibility report. He stated that although the altitude valve was not mentioned in detail in the feasibility report, neither is security lighting. overhead doors, connecting watermain, etc. The report estimated the elevated tank cost at approximately $800,000.00, and the bids were below that figure. Liebenow stated with the additional $5,000 for controls and $35.000 for the altitude valve, the cost is still below the original amount the feasibility report mentioned. Councilmember Peck questioned if Roseville was aware of our intent to place the altitude valve at their water tower and if would they be agreeable to the installation. .