The Roundabout

Oct. 3, 2024

Author

Pat Mack
October 03, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 14 minutes

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Newsletter Editor: Pat Mack

Rendering: Courtesy of City of Woodbury

Water Treatment Plant Cost Far Lower Than Expected

By Pat Mack

Construction of a water treatment plant in Woodbury will cost about $60 million less than expected. The Woodbury City Council has approved a $149.8 million contract with Market & Johnson, a construction contractor based in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, to build the plant that will treat city water for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

The city had estimated the cost would be about $210 million. “It was a very pleasant surprise to see the bids come in,” City Administrator Clint Gridley said at the Sept. 25 council meeting.

Mary Anne Burt agreed. “That is great news,” she said, adding her appreciation of the work by city staff and consultants on the project. “At this point we are moving forward, and it’s exciting.”

Construction of the plant is a significant portion of the overall water treatment system. The other major part is infrastructure including 17 miles of pipelines to carry water from the city’s wells to the plant for treatment and then to homes and businesses. With the lower cost of the plant, the total project cost is now estimated to be $325-350 million, Woodbury Assistant Public Works Director Jim Westerman said in an interview this week. It’s the largest infrastructure project in city history.

Most of the $149.8 million plant construction will be paid for out of a State of Minnesota and 3M Settlement Fund. 3M originally developed and manufactured the PFAS that have caused the Minnesota Department of Health to issue PFAS health advisories for nine of the city’s 20 wells. Water from those wells is being treated at temporary facilities. After the state sued, 3M agreed to create the $850 million settlement fund.

About $11 million of expenses for the plant are not covered by the settlement fund. That includes a garage for city equipment as well as the city’s cost share for operations and maintenance. The city’s recently built production well also was ineligible since there isn’t enough data yet to show if PFAS contamination is an issue. Westerman said if the data shows that to be the case, the city will seek compensation from the fund for the cost of building the well. The city would need to use its reserves or sell bonds to finance the amount not paid by the fund,

Westerman said the project design staff and city staff worked hard to ensure the city received more than one bid for the plant construction to create competition. In the end, two bids were submitted, which he called a success considering the limited pool of qualified contractors. The assistant public works director said bids can come in lower than expected for a number of reasons including timing and changing economic conditions like easing inflation and falling interest rates. He said Market & Johnson “really wanted the project” to increase its business in Minnesota, adding that the firm comes highly recommended.

Westerman said Woodbury has become a national leader in addressing PFAS contamination and a lot of communities are watching its progress. “This will be one of the largest PFAS treatment plants in North America,” he said. “It’s not the first, but it’s one of the first, and there are a lot of eyes on this project.”

A groundbreaking for the water treatment plant is set for Nov. 7. The city is planning on the treatment system to be operational in 2028.

Photo: Courtesy of Woodbury Public Safety Department

Man Armed With Pellet Gun Receives 92-Month Sentence

By Pat Mack

A man who was shot by police officers in Woodbury in April received a prison sentence of 92 months, or about seven and a half years, according to court documents. Donald Eugene Roche, 61, of Rockford, Minnesota, was sentenced Monday in Washington County District Court.

Roche pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree assault after pointing a high-powered pellet gun at police officers in the parking lot at the Target at 7200 Valley Creek Plaza. One count each of financial transaction card fraud and third-degree burglary were dismissed.

Woodbury Police Officer James Stoffel and Washington County Deputy Brian Krook fired at Roche when he did not comply with orders to drop his weapon. The Washington County Attorney’s Office determined that two law enforcement officers were justified in using force.

Washington County Attorney Kevin Magnuson stated in a news release that Roche admitted he wanted officers to kill him because he did not want to return to prison.

Roche made purchases at two stores in Woodbury using credit cards from a wallet he had stolen. Police tried to arrest Roche in the parking lot but backed off when they thought he was armed. When Roche got out of his vehicle with the pellet gun he was shot. He was treated for his injuries at Regions Hospital before being taken to the Washington County Jail.

Early Voting in Woodbury Trailing 2020

County election officials say 1,573 ballots were cast at Woodbury City Hall during the first week of early voting Sept. 20 to Sept. 27. During that same period in 2020, 1,801 ballots had already been cast at Woodbury’s early voting site.

Christie Piskura, Washington County’s elections division manager, said she expects high voter turnout and encourages people to make a plan to cast their ballots. Options include voting early in person, voting early by mail, or voting on Election Day at a polling place.

If mailing a ballot, voters are encouraged to give the postal service plenty of time to collect and deliver the ballot. Our Election 2024 coverage provides more information on candidates, voter registration, and sample ballots.

County Receives Grant For Patrol Boat

Washington County has received a $225,000 federal grant to buy a rapid response patrol boat. The county will provide $75,000 in matching funds, according to a news release. The federal funding comes from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Port Security Grant Program. The program is aimed at improving maritime security. The sheriff’s office is the primary law enforcement agency for waterways in Washington County and part of the area maritime security plan that includes the Mississippi River. The patrol boat should help the county deploy faster in case of an emergency. Another recent federal grant allowed the county to add two airboats to its fleet.

East Metro Food Delivery Program Marks Milestone

A program that delivers meals to residents in Washington County without reliable access to fresh food celebrated a milestone Friday. State Sen. Tou Xiong (DFL–Maplewood), Rep. Mark Wiens (R–Lake Elmo), and Rep. Leon Lillie (DFL–North St. Paul) joined Open Cupboard, DoorDash and Washington County to mark the delivery of more than 175,000 meals. In 2018, DoorDash launched Project DASH, using its technology and drivers to provide local delivery. In 2020, a collaboration began with the county, Open Cupboard, White Bear Lake Area Food Shelf, and Valley Outreach for east metro meal delivery for those home-bound during the COVID-19 pandemic. The county used federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act for the program, which is now facilitated by Open Cupboard. Open Cupboard received a $5,000 Project Dash Impact Grant as part of the milestone celebration.

Woodbury Street Sweeper Named Sweep Caroline

The votes are in, and Sweep Caroline swept to victory in Woodbury’s second contest to name a street sweeper. Chris Hartzell, city engineering director, told the city council Sept. 25 that over 120 names were submitted and narrowed to nine finalists: Sweep Dreams, Sweep Caroline, Sweep Dogg, Luke Stormwater, Little Bo Sweep, Meryl Sweep, Sweepwood Mac, Sweepheart and Swiffty. After 500 online votes were recorded, Sweep Caroline emerged as the winner. Last year’s winner was Obi-Wan Cleanobi.

Navratri Garba Dance will be held again at M Health Fairview Sports Center Photo: Gujarati Samaj of Minnesota

By Manali Shah

On the night of October 18 and 19, Woodbury residents will once again have the chance to dance to the pulsating drums and music of the Dandiya Raas, a traditional dance form in the western India state of Gujarat.

This Hindu festival of Navratri, which means nine nights, is a celebration of Goddess Durga in her nine forms.

In Gujarat, Navratri celebrations include garba, traditionally a dance performed by women in a circle around a clay lantern or lamp as well as Dandiya Raas, a form of dance using two sticks (dandiya) that is performed by both men and women.

The festival, which takes place some time in October based on the lunar calendar, has been celebrated in Woodbury for many years. The Gujarati Samaj of Minnesota hosts this event at the M Health Fairview Sports Center in Woodbury. There will be a live band and singers from India performing traditional songs and people from around the Twin Cities and even neighboring states like Wisconsin and North Dakota, dancing to the heady beats of the music. Both men and women are dressed in traditional outfits for the occasion.

M Health Fairview Sportscenter has been a very popular venue for many years, mainly because the space has lots of room for the musicians and dancers. On the second level, tasty Indian food like samosa, chana masala, lassi are available for purchase as well as some Indian clothes and Indian jewelry. One can enjoy the food, watch the colorful dancers and feel the beat of the pulsating music though the plexiglass on the upper level.

Tickets cost $15 and are available here. The event begins at 7 p.m. both nights at 4125 Radio Drive in Woodbury.

Photo: Courtesy of Washington County

Courthouse By Candlelight Tours Oct. 10 & 24

You can experience the historic Washington County Courthouse in Stillwater by candlelight this month. The $10 tour shows off areas normally closed to the public including the basement, sheriff’s residence, and 1900s county jail. The tour includes the history of the site as well as “fun, slightly spooky stories.”

More Events of Note

Update on Woodbury News Net:

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