— The
Commission and
took part in a joint meeting Wednesday to review and update the memorandum of understanding between the two entities that lays out the guiding principles for the city’s well fields.
The two entities also reviewed an updated list of collaborations between the city of Willmar and Willmar Municipal Utilities pertaining to the use of each entity’s equipment, the maintenance of the city’s water infrastructure and Geographic Information System records of city infrastructure and easements.
The need to review and update these agreements came to light earlier this year after the city of Willmar, with approval of Willmar City Council, began the process to sell a portion of the south Swansson Field Recreation Complex for a senior living development.
Macy Moore / West Central Tribune
As the purchase agreement for the sale of the land moved through the city’s approval process, Willmar Municipal Utilities raised concerns about the development — as well as a large stormwater pond to be built in conjunction with the development — possibly impeding the ability to develop future wells within the well field.
For three months, the city of Willmar and Willmar Municipal Utilities worked together to develop a plan that would not impede future well development. However, the Willmar City Council ultimately canceled the sale of the land after numerous Willmar residents spoke against it during public hearings.
There are three research-identified well fields in the city of Willmar — the northeast well field on Lakeland Drive Northeast, where the northeast water treatment plant is also located; the southwest well field within the Swansson Field Recreation Complex on Willmar Avenue Southwest, where the southwest water treatment plant is located; and an undeveloped well field within Hedin Park in northern Willmar.
Developing the Hedin Park well field may be a costly endeavor due to the need to drill test wells and possibly build a water treatment plant at that location, according to Willmar Municipal Utilities General Manager John Harren.
Willmar Municipal Utilities owns the land on which the Lakeland Drive well field is located, as well as the portion of Swansson Field north of Willmar Avenue and about half of the Hedin Park location, according to Harren.
Macy Moore / West Central Tribune
The city of Willmar owns the land on which the well field is located south of Willmar Avenue and about half of the Hedin Park location.
There is a water main casing located under Willmar Avenue to transport water from the wells within the south Swansson Field Recreation Complex to the water treatment plant located in the north Swansson Field Recreation Complex.
There are currently two developed wells operating in the northwest corner of the south Swansson Field Recreation Complex, as well as a monitoring well that tests the water and the aquifer daily. There are an additional five test wells that have been identified as locations for future well development.
The northeast water treatment plant is currently being remodeled and upgraded at a cost of about $17 million. There are also plans in the future to remodel and upgrade the southwest water treatment plant. In the meantime, Willmar Municipal Utilities has plans to construct a water service main between the northeast and southwest water treatment plants in order to transport water efficiently between the two plants as needed.
Previous agreements between the city and Willmar Municipal Utilities allow the city to use the land within the well fields for the installation of park amenities and the ability for Willmar Municipal Utilities to develop wells as necessary.
Macy Moore / West Central Tribune
However, the agreement for the land in the south Swansson Recreation Field Complex was not a written agreement and was only included in a list of agreements between the city and Willmar Municipal Utilities as a “verbal agreement” to abide by the north Swansson Field Recreation Complex guiding principles.
Both the city and Municipal Utilities agreed that a formalized agreement should be in place for future reference.
Harren explained to those in attendance at the joint meeting that a group of about a dozen individuals, roughly half from the city of Willmar and half from the Utilities, worked through updating the agreement.
The agreement will be formally approved by the Willmar City Council and the Willmar Municipal Utilities Commission at future meetings.
Macy Moore / West Central Tribune
Answering questions from Willmar City Council members in attendance at the joint meeting, Harren explained that there are currently no plans to develop any of the identified test wells within the south Swansson Field Recreation Complex unless a wet industry moves into the Willmar Industrial Park or one of the developed wells fails.
Currently, the north portion of the southwest well field is tapped out for well development, but if one of those wells fails and it is determined that the aquifer there is still able to provide the water needed, a new well may be developed within 20 feet or so of the failed well, according to Harren.
Macy Moore / West Central Tribune
The updated agreement discussed Wednesday encompasses all the well fields located in the city of Willmar and supplements an agreement from April 17, 1974, regarding the use of the southwest well field and a Dec. 22, 1988, agreement for joint use of land purchased by Willmar Municipal Utilities north of Willmar Avenue and west of 18th Street Southwest and a second parcel of land located east of the North Highway 71 service drive and west of Lakeland Drive Northeast referred to as the northeast well field.
The agreement, among other things, establishes that protection and preservation of a municipal water source is a priority for both Willmar Municipal Utilities and the city.
It states that Willmar Municipal Utilities may continue to use current test well locations in the south Swansson Field Recreation Complex, and that the city will maintain best land use practices as recommended by the Minnesota Department of Health in the well field locations.
It spells out responsibilities when new wells are needed, or when development is sought in the area of the wells in the south Swansson Field Recreation Complex.
For example, if a new well or water main is needed that would disturb park amenities, Willmar Municipal Utilities is responsible for the removal and replacement of any park and recreation amenity, presuming the amenity is not past its useful life.
In the case of the property there being utilized for another purpose and requiring the relocation of any test well, the agreement states the costs associated with well relocation will be borne by the requesting entity.
Under the agreement, the city and Willmar Municipal Utilities will collaborate regarding any changes or improvements to the property, including but not limited to modifications to the land use, potential stormwater improvements, additional recreational amenities and parking lots.
Among the Municipal Utilities’ responsibilities spelled out in the agreement are the costs and installation of wells and upgrading of needed access roads or paths to the wells. Municipal Utilities also agrees to minimize requests that disrupt or remove park amenities and agrees to provide 12 months’ notice for a new well except in an emergency.
The two entities also agree to confer on a regular basis and stipulate that the agreement may be amended if approved by both the City Council and the Municipal Utilities Commission.