Elk Mound village board hears initial results of water analysis study

By Cara L. Dempski

ELK MOUND — Changing from six-inch mains to eight-inch mains and looping parts of Elk Mound’s water system are among the initial findings of a water analysis study.

Len Schreiber and Isaac Steinmeyer appeared at the August 16 meeting to present information and suggestions to update the board on the study approved earlier this year. The study was approved after Lynn Harrison offered to sell the village an estimated 35 acres just north of the high school on east University Street.

At the time, trustee Terry Stamm noted the land might make a good place for a water reservoir.

Schreiber and Steinmeyer provided graphics showing a map of the existing water system, a map with the current system and spot elevations, and a map of proposed changes with spot elevations.

One of the first things Schreiber told the board was the current water system uses mostly six-inch lines for water mains, which is slightly below existing standards. He informed the board most water mains are eight inches or more in diameter.

His first suggestion to the board was changing water mains in streets already needing repair from the current six inch lines to eight inches. Schreiber and Steinmeyer also talked about the potential of “looping” certain areas in the village water system to provide better pressure and flow.

Looping is the practice of connecting a deadend water main to another to essentially form a loop in the system.

Schreiber cited previous issues with decreased – or complete loss of – water pressure in school district facilities when hydrants were being flushed in other parts of town as one of the reasons why he included the looping suggestion. He also encouraged the village board to make looping their first priority if they decide to complete work on the system.

The Cedar Corp. engineer then moved on to discussing two possible locations for a potential reservoir. He indicated any reservoir built would need to maintain water at the same level as the existing reservoir.

The current water level sits at 1,100 feet. One site, near the current development on the south side of the village, sits at 920 feet. A water tower placed there would need to be at least 180 in height. Schreiber noted most water towers are between 120 and 150 tall. While a 180-foot tower is not impossible, he did note it could cost the village significantly more to build.

The second proposed site, the land offered by Harrison for purchase, is closer to 1,000 feet in elevation, which would make for a much shorter tower.

Schreiber and Steinmeyer noted they are not finished with their analysis, part of which includes determining the necessity of a reservoir. They indicated a new one may not be needed if the current volume of water is meeting the community’s needs.

When the duo have completed all their research, they plan to put together a scenario for the potential new reservoir, written recommendations for the whole system, and some cost estimates.

Other business

The board moved on to reports and new business after Schreiber and Steinmeyer’s presentation.

Interim police chief Mike Tietz provided a written report on his work for the past month. Tietz continues to serve in administrative capacity, but has enlisted the assistance of the Dunn County Sheriff’s Office in providing patrol hours and crime data.

The most recent data provided by the sheriff’s office indicates a slight downward trend in crime for Elk Mound, but Tietz warned the board the decrease may be due to school not being in session.

He also reported some success in his vehicle and junk ordinance enforcement efforts. Of the 40 properties notified, 10 property owners have responded with questions and concerns about the notice. He noted none of the interactions were negative in nature, and everyone he spoke with seemed to be planning paths toward compliance.

The interim chief asked the board to forward to him any concerns or complaints they receive from village residents. The request was made to ensure those with concerns or questions are receiving consistent answers.

The current police chief also informed the board he has been researching best practices and procedures related to hiring law enforcement so the board has up-to-date information to consider as it moves closer to hiring a new police chief.

The meeting included a brief discussion regarding the employee relations and public safety committees scheduling a joint meeting. The two committees will need to generate a list of criteria and traits for desirable candidates and create a salary and benefit package to attract the best people possible for the village’s new police chief.

The two committees hope to have everything settled by the end of September so the village can beging advertising for the position and have a new police chief by January 1, 2018.

In other business, the board:

• Approved building permits for Steven Abraham at 401 South Holly Avenue for building demolition and the construction of a 30 x 30 x 10 storage building.

• Discussed the high incidence of tick-borne diseases in the area. Eau Claire County reportedly has the highest number of tick-borne illnesses in the country.

• Discussed community complaints that trains approaching the railroad crossing at Juniper Avenue are too noisy. The board discussed having barrier arms placed there in the hopes train would not sound their horns with a barrier present. They also discussed seeking a variance for a quiet zone through the village.

• Approved the extraterritorial certified survey map for land owned by the estate of Lucille Schumacher in the Town of Spring Brook.