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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-09-1994 City council Study SessionMINUTES CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE 130 SOUTH MAIN STREET LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA ~A~cvv~t~~~-c` ~' THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 1994 ***,t**********,t,t*****************,t**********,t,t******,t************ CALL TO ORDER Mayor Washburn called the Study Session to order at 2:02 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Washburn. ROLL CALL PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: ALONGI, DOMINGUEZ, WINKLER, WASHBURN ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: CHERVENY Also present were: City Manager Molendyk, Assistant City Manaqer Rogers, City Treasurer Pape, Administrative Services Manager Huffman, Public Services Director Tecca, Community Services Direc.tor Sapp, Special Projects Manaqer Watenpaugh, E.V.M.W.D. General Manager Laughlin, E.V.M.W.D. Director Dennis and City Clerk Kasad. DISCIISSION ITEM 1. Lake Treatment Provosals. (F:92.1) City Manager Molendyk noted that there are five firms presenting proposals for the cleaning of the lake water. He explained that due to the fact that the Lake is a basin of '~``~, water it presents it own unique problems and there are several different types of ineasures that can be taken. He stated that the micro-organism treatment used last summer did.help, since there was no odor and no fish kill. Mr. Molendylc explained that at the time of the transfer of the Lake that there are two different agencies involved, the City and E.V.M.W.D. It has been stated that E.V.M.W.D. is responsible for the quality of the water in the Lake, and in reality they are responsible for the quality of water that they import into the Lake but not the existing water at the time of transfer. He further explained that there is a need for a Master Plan for the long , term and short term. Mayor Washburn explained that there has been quite a bit of ,..press reqarding the Lake and there is considerable work ahead bf both the Water District and the City for short term and long term treatment of the Lake and it will take the cooperation of both agencies to solve the problems. He stated that the City and the Water District are currently working ~ogether to maintain the water quality in the Lake. City Manager Molendylc explained that in Special Project Manager Watenpaugh°s presentation he will be discussing the different uses of the Lake, but everything comes down to the quality of the water in the Lake. Any program that is decided upon, will have to be addressed by February or March to have an effect on the quality of water in the Lake by summer. Manager of Special Projects Watenpaugh explained that the purpose of this meeting is to discuss different water quality programs available to the City. He stated that the previous program using micro-organisms was partially successful and it will be up to Council to decide upon future short term and treatment long term programs. PAGE TWO - CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION - JANUARY 6, 1994 Dr. Sutton explained that tfiere are four objectives Council should pursue; 1) the most reliable product and machinery to be used; 2) the most e~ertise of ~he company which will be aasecl; 3) the best research and development to be used for adapting the product to the requirements of the Lake; and 4) the most important, that the method selected raill not adversel affect the lon ran e "'"" Y g g goal which is to have an attractive lake with a healthy fish population. flKayor Washburn then called upon Brach and Allard, Inc. to present their proposal regarding the Lake, PRr. Duane A. Brach of Brach and Allard, Inc. explained that Mr. Allard, Dr. Grubbs and Mr. Plowman will be explaining the process proposed. Bob Allarci presented an exhibit of the sludge collected from the four corners area before the treatment and presented pictures showing the state of the Lake at the time that Brach and Allard, Inc. started their treatment. He explained the problems found in treating Lake Elsinore and the progress of the treatment to date, City Y~Ianager Molendyk explained that if the City is to qualify gor grants to support the Lake, the City must meet certain standards of water cguality. He asked that the presentations include how this can be accomplished and what type of guarantees tkte differen~ companies are going to offer to meet the water quality necessary to qualify for grants. Councilman Alongi as-ced wha~ size Lake Brach and Allard, Inc. as cleaned up in the pasfe Nir. Allard stated ~hat his ~ company has cleaned lakes from 9 1/2 acre feet to 15 acre ~eet. _ ~.,,_.~ '' Councilman Alongi asked at what location the pictures shown were taken. Mr. Allard stated that some of the pictures were takeaa across grom the Lit~1e League Park on Lakeshore Drive and the others were taken at Holiday Park. Mro Jones of Solmar Company, Brach and Allard, %nc. e~lained ~hat the treatment used previously started foo late in the season, and during the various phases of developmenf of algae it is important to remember that there were several layers which had to be addressed. The treatment was effective in controlling the odor and fish -cill and as ~he treatment progressed the algae was reducedo Phosphorous removal is addressed by harvesting plant life to eliminate that problem. He stated that it is important to start now to address the algae before the spring bloom. Ci~y Treasurer Pape asked if thexe are still microbes active in the Lake. Mr. Jones explained that there are still anicrobes, but ~hey have lost dominance and must be supplemented. The microbes are still very active in the sediment, but the microbes at the surface are not strong °° enough or in great enough number to be effective. ' Councilman Alongi commen£ed that the City is not ~reating behind the levee and aslced if this has an effect on the Lake condation since it does flow into the La-ce, Mr. Jones stated that it does. Mr. Alongi ~hen asked how effective, in percen~ages, ~his ~reatment has been. Y+Ir. Jones stated that he felt that it was 50~ of where the City wants to be, and for the treatment used he felt that it had been 95~ effective. ~ ~ ~n / PAGE THREE - CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSLON - JANUARY 6a 1994 Mayor Washburn explained that they are looking for a solution and some form of guarantee. %Kr. Allard then presentecl a film presentation explaining their company and the type of treafinent triat his company offers. ; Councilman Alonqi commented that he was concerned with the 1 percentage of effectiveness of the treatment. He read a report from SAWPA regarding the water quality sampling and "' explained his concern regardinq the effectiveness. Mr. Allard stated that sampling can vary, but the microbes are effective and do improve the quality of the watere Councilman Dominguez asked what method of application would be used. Mr. Allard explained that it would be similar to what has been used in ~he past for application of ~he treatment. City Manager Molendyk stated that what has been discussed is in respect to the short term goals, bu~ the long term goals must also be considered. He stated that SAWPA is lookinq for a long term solutiona Mayor Washburn asked Biotechnics/Ramco to address the council. George Marcinkiewicz of Biotechnics/Ramco introduced his company and explained the function of the company. He stated ~ha~ three ~ypes of treatment necessary to qualify the water quality of the Lakeo %ie explained tha~ his company would utilize aeration, bioremediation and oxidation and explained how this would function within the Lake environment. The short term answer would have to be done as soon as possible in order to have the water available for the season. The lonq ~erm would be done by City employees, who would talce out the ' equipment and trea~ the lake at night when it is not in recreational use. Mayor Washburn asked how areas could be flagged due to the sediment. Mr. Marcinkiewicz explained how flagging would occur for aeration. Councilman Alongi asked if the company had ever done treatment in ~emperatures of 1.00 degrees or more. Mr. Marcinkiewicz explained that they have done industrial water at that temperature, Mro Alongi then asked if they had done a lake the size of Lake Elsinore with the various water inputso Mro Marcinkiewicz stated that they have treated Lake Forest with various run-off°s, and it is 37 acres. Mayor Washburn then called on Omega Lake Services. Jeffery Farmer owner of Omega Lake Services introduced William Ao Fi~zgerald and John Christensen of Ynter Bio who does the bioremediation for his company and gave an overview of his firm. Mr. Fitzgerald e~cplained the methods proposed to treat the ;Lalce and e~tplained that he felt that the previous treatment was not totally effective due to the balance of microbes. He stated that with the proper balance of microbes, bioremediation will occur and be successfule John Christensen explained that his company makes bacteria to balance water in lakes and improve water qualitye He stated that Brach and Allard had used his product last July for one !<;`_ PAGE F'OUR - CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION ° JANUARY 6, 1994 morath and then chanqed praduc~, Yie explained tFxe problems with the Lake and stated that there are centuries of silt and rura-off which contribu~e ~o the problem ancl this must be specifically addressed to correct fhe situation. Mra Christensen stated that there can be no guarantees since the problems xelated to the Lake can be considered B1Acts af God1B. Jeffery Earmer detailed the proposal presented and explained the short term qoal, whicka is to correct the aesthetics of tlae %,ake and ~the long term goal is to maintain the balance of the %,ake. He presen~ed a film regarding the use of his product in %ake Mirage. Councilman Dominguez aslced tlae diffexences between a man-made lake and a natural la-ce and ~.he effects of weather. Mr. F'armer explainecl that a man-made lake is sand bottom and the materials to line the lake are specifically chosen. A natural lake is a bio-buildup grom naturaT causes. The weather and the reaction to the weathex is the same for both types of lakes. Councilman Dominguez asked if the boat movement in trie Lake assists in aeration. Mr. Earmer explained tha~ the boats do not aerate the Lake, but the wind is a big factor for aeration of the surface. On a larger surface lake where there is a mix of raave action and boat action it does assist aeration, but not in a lake this size, He e~cplained that the City will want to invest in an aeration program and that would be one of the long term solutionse Y+Ir. Christensen explained that an aeration program will pull silt froxn the bottom and bring it ~o the surface and will cause a~ype of conversioxa which wi11 stir up secliment, This can cause an increase an odor until the problems are completely solved. Mro Farmer explained that their proposal offered to ~he City offers using the employees of his company, or training Ci~y personnel to ~ake over the maintenance of the Lake. City Manager Molendyk addressed ~he cost digference in the proposal, Mre Farmex~ explained tfiat the lower cost is if ~he Ci4.y provides staff, and the higher cost is if Omega provides the staff. City Manager Molendyle explained, for the benefi~ of all the ffirms, ~hat cost is definitely a factor. Councilman Alongi asked if the lakes Omega is ~reating have s~orm drain water running into them. Mr. Farmer stated that they doa Mr. Alongi asked how much water per year'the treated bake takes in run-o£fo Mro Eaxmer stated that he clid not Hcnow. 1Kr. Alongi stated that he would like to have an araswer in order to compareo Councilman P,longi asked what -cincl of guarantee Mra Farmer°s company could give tFae Cityo i£ ~he product cloes aaot do wha~ flie claims it raill do. die asked if the company would pic7e u~ ~fie tab. Mr. Farmer statecl fhat they cannot offex that type of gaaaranteeo Iie can guarantee staff and managemento ~OUt thegr cannot guaran~.ee results. Councilman Alongi stated that none of companies have treated a lake the size of Lake Elsinore ancl ~herefore do a~ot know for sure if ~heir products will vaork and ~he cost is a reaY concern. Mr. Farmer suggested that ~tandards can be established to provide up-dates on results from treatments. PAGE EIVE - CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION - JANUARY 6, 1994 City Manager Molendyk inquired with standards and guidelines, what wrould be a reasonable period of time for the community to expect final results. Mr. Farmer stated that the desired results should be in the first year of treatment; the lake must be maintained after the results have been reached. City Manager Molendyk asked when the City should start the ~~ process in order to have the quality of the Lake at a standard that will be acceptable to the public, around April. Mr. Farmer s~Cated tha~ he would like to start the first of February. He stated that if there is considerable rain there will be a load of nutrients, and if the Lake is fed now, it will handle those nutrients. I3e stated that it is never the same in the summer as it is in the winter. Dr. Grubbs of Brach and Allard, explained that about a year ago the Lake was at this stage and their program was not as successful as they had hoped. Mayor Washburn then called on the representatives of Bac- Terra. John Bullington, President of Bac-Terra explained that his product attacks the sludge and corrects the bacteria and phosphate levels which seem to be the major problems of the Lake. He gave a complete overview of the type of treatment that his company can provide. Mr. Bullington explained that he felt that his company could provide the proper mix which would reduce and eventually eliminate the problem regarding the water quali~y of the Lake. Mayor washburn asked how long the drop points would last and when would they have to be replaced. Mr. Bullington explained that the treatment would be on-qoing; and his staff will be on the lake every week and reports would be provided to Council once a week, City Manager Molendyk questioned the largest body of water that Bac-Terra has treated. Mr. Bullington stated that the largest body of water that they have treated is 30,000,000 gallons or 90 acres. Councilman Alongi questioned the maximum depth that Bac-Terra has treated. Mr. Bullington stated tha~ they have treated down to 100 foot ciepths, Councilman Alongi asked if the Lake were treated in sections, as proposed, how much time evolves before they come back to the girst section. Mr. Bullington explained that depending on the 1ab reports, tfie treatment would vary in different"areas. Councilman Alongi questioned the water and sludge behind the levee and how much of an impact that water being fed into the lake, has on the treatment. Mr. Bullington stated that the source of the contamination will have to be treated and that is part of the long term remedy; includinq the area behind the levee, as well as Canyon Lake. Mayor Washburn stated that Lake Elsinore ~he second level to the ocean, and if there were a proper flow of water then this problem would not exist. Manager o£ Special Projects Watenpaugh explained that a lot of the nutrient that enters the lake comes from up-stream. He stated that possibly an agency can be set to monitor and control the amount of nutrients that come into the lake. PAGE SZX - CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSYON - JANUARY 6, 199;4 Councilman Alongi questioned the water testing and ~he sectioning of ~he Lakeo He stated ~he irregularity of the ~esting and the curren~ and wind cause changes in the Lakee Mr. Bulling~on explained ~hat ~he depth, area and results of ~he lab repor~s would dictate ~he amount of the product ~o be utilized in each areao Councilman Alongi asked if the compang would reimbuxse the cost in 90 days if ~he pro~uct does not work. Mr. Bullington stated ~ha~ ~he Ci~y would pay for all but the labor costs in trie first 90 dayso Councilman Alongg ~equested clarification that in the first 90 days thexe would be 18 ~housand pounds of product placed in the Lake. Mro Bullington said that 9~housand pounds of product would be dumped during that time. He stated that there should be a drama~ic clearing by then, City Treasurer Pape asked how ~his product digfers from what was ini~ially used in ~he Lake. Mr. Bullington explained that they utilize a mixture of various organisms and bacteria to address the various problems. Mr. Pape asked if this is a general formula or one designed for this Lake. Mr. Bullingtorn stated that this is a general formula tfiat he has designed. Fie explained ~hat he laas confidence in this product or he would not be willing to take on a project of this size. He s~ated tha~ after extensive research he feels that his product wilY answer the problems that the Lalce experiences. Councilman Dominguez asked if this product would produce the desired effec~s ~o qualify for ~he gran~s available ~o fhe I,ake e City iKanager Nfolendyk explained that there raill be three workshops this month to detail the differen£ facets of what Council is dealing with. One of ~the issues is eaater quality wfixich is necessary to apply for grants to make necessary public improvements for the proper utilization of the Lake. Mr. Bullinqton stated that in his research he has found various financing sources that the City can use to fund the proqram. N[anager of Special Project Watenpaugh explained tha~ in the agenda packet he had inclu~ed a por'cion o£ the SA~^IPA agreement witfi the 14 options for dealing with the Lake which have been narrowed to 5 me~hods. Y~Ie stated that on January 11, there wrill be a mee~ing with SAWPA and he wilY bring back any new ~indings that may be discussed, City Manager Molendylc eacplained that the book presented to Cmuancil is a sough draf~o Piayor Wasfiburn explained that there wi1T be a public hearing on February 8, in the offices of ~AWPA regarding the Lake. City Y~Ianager Molendy-c than7ced NIr. Y,aughlin and his staff for attending the raeeting and explained that the purpose of this meeting was to give Council the opportunity to review the proposals prior to making any ciecisionse Jim I,aughlin, General Nianager, EvMF1D, stated tha~ the Lake is laolding at approximatelg 86,000 acre feet of water and the massive amount of water is the challenge. F+layor [nlashburrr commented that the amount of water that evapora~es each year $rom Lake Elsinore is the same amount o€ water that is in Canyon Lalce. PAGE SEVEN - CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION - JANUARY 6, 1994 Councilman Winkler asked for Mr. Laughlin~s input. He further stated that none of the companies have given a guarantee, but Dr. Sutton did guarantee that if nothing was done there would be a fish kill. Because of the treatment, there was no fish kill and now there is speculation of what would have happened if nothing had been done. ~ Councilman Alongi explained that the Water Company owns the ' water and there is a certain water quality that they are looking for. There is also a certain water quality that the City is looking for. He asked what the differences are. He asked if costs should be shared. He explained that the City is putting all the money ou~ and there are no guarantees. He stated that when the lake level is up there are no fish kills; when the lake level drops to 1229 or less then there is a fish kill. He stated that he is not concerned about a fish kill, but he is concerned about the amount of dollars that are being spent without any guarantees. He noted that $400,000 has already been spent on the Lake with no significant change, and he does not want to see more money spent without some type of a guarantee. He felt that the City should not be totally responsible for the costs. He stated that there should be a meeting with the Water District, since they own the water and find out what the difference there is in water quality and what their long term ancl short term plans are. He commented that he doesn't fully understand what recreational quality is versus agricultural quality. Mayor Washburn explained that there is an agreement with the Wa~er District and they are working toward solutions with the City. City Manger Molendyk explained that no matter what approach is ' taken, it is necessary to start in February. The goal is to bring some type of recommendation back to Council on January 25. Mayor Washburn then called upon Black Diamond C~rporation. Iioward Fuller, President of Black Diamond Corporation explained that the problems o£ the Lake are odor, algae and ~he ongoing problem of PH and phosphates; and in ~he future the salt contente He explained that he £elt that the solutions to the problems are biological, chemical and/or mechanical. Iie stated that a11 of these solutions should be utilized jointlyo %Ir, Fuller explained that the major problems are thermal balance, gas balance and chemical balance. All of these issues need to be addressed. His solution is to use Open-All formula 215, and closely monitor the results. He further stated that there is the need for aeration done by paddle wheel or a similar device to aid circulation. Councilman Alongi questioned the fact that the facilities fhey are treating do no~. have the run-off experienced by Lake Elsinore. Mr. Fuller explained that the sewer treatment plants that they service do have a different run-off. He explained the different areas his company treats and the Lake - is not that diverqent in the type of run-off that it receivese Councilman Alongi asked if they have done testing on the Lake. Mr. Fuller stated that they have done their own testing, but they have also used the tests done by SAWPAe Councilman Alongi questioned the statement in the proposal regardinq testing in a sheltered area. Mr. Fuller explained that this PAGE EZGHT - CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION - JANUARY 6, 1994 is a test done in a sheltered or controlled areao Mre Alonga questioned general warrantiesp and what this is in dollars and cents. Mr. Fuller explained that in more difficult areas of the Lake there is a concentrate and they then can tesf and establish the type and amount of treatment, they can then gauge how much time and how much product is needed to reach the desired results and then they can offer a genera3 warranfyo Councilman Dominguez c~uestioned the application of their produc~. Mr. Fuller explained tfiat they pump from the lake edge 150 feet out into the lakeo Mayor Washburn asked if the Open-All is dangerous to fish lifeo Mr. Fuller advised that it is not. Councilman Alongi asked if the Lake could be over treated or if the product builds up. Mr, Fuller stated fihat it cannot be over treated and will nof build upe ADJOURNMEN't' The meeting was adjourned at 4: