PRESCOTT – Prescott City Administrator Matt Wolf addressed the Prescott City Council at the June 26 meeting to describe the current issues surrounding city Well #3, which was shut down on Sept. 24, 2021, by the City of Prescott due to tests exceeding nitrate mcl levels of 10 mg/L.

The city is currently looking into installing a treatment option for Well #3 that includes a reverse osmosis treatment system. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) required a pilot study to be completed on this system, which included a Granulated Activated Carbon (GAC) filter to look at the effects of treating the reverse osmosis concentrate and reverse osmosis bypass water. The study done by Water Surplus has been completed and the report is being finalized. When the well was checked for PFAS, trace levels between 3-8 ppt were found combined in each of the wells, which is below the Wisconsin Safe Drinking Standards of 70 ppt. The EPA just released an updated national water drinking standard for PFAS set at 4 ppt, which dropped two of the five alternate options from the design consideration. This standard is expected to be adopted by the state of Wisconsin once it is finalized by the EPA.

The pilot study completed by Water Surplus showed that Well #3 had PFAS that are above the EPA’s national standards of 4 ppt and the reverse osmosis concentrate was also above the proposed standards. The option for this water is to return it to the water treatment plant, return it to the storm sewer or back into the aquifer, which the city doesn’t want to do as it would be putting high PFAs water concentrate back into a drinking source, even though the current DNR regulations allow for that water discharge to go to the aquifer.

As the DNR’s Emerging Contaminant Program is specifically designed for the treatment of PFAS, the city hopes to qualify for 70% of principal forgiveness, but the DNR has mentioned that since the City of Prescott is treating for PFAS and nitrates, the city may not qualify. The DNR will make the final decision when they review the application.

On June 23 the city finished the pilot study of Well #3 and at the June 19 Parks and Public Works Committee meeting, the committee reviewed the remaining three options and recommended Option #3 to the City Council. Option #3 would see the reverse osmosis concentrate treated by the concentrate GAC to remove the PFAS, then send the water back to the aquifer or storm sewer. Once the DNR gives a final decision on the application, the approval of design and financing will be brought to the council for final approval.

Alderperson Maureen Otwell spoke on her concerns regarding PFAS.

“I still think they are chemicals that do not decompose in our bodies, and I think we should move ahead with number three,” she said.

Alderperson Bailey Ruona worried not enough study has been done on the EPA guidelines and the disposal of hazardous waste.

“The only beef I have with them is that they are basically saying we have to do this, but then they’re saying you can dump it in there. You can put it back into an aquifer. It’s like what crackpot is making these decisions (to) tell you that’s okay? So that’s the thing that I had issues with,” Ruona said.

The council unanimously passed the motion to approve Resolution 37-23 Approving Alternate #3 Design for submittal to the Wisconsin DNR Emerging Contaminants Program.

Locust Street Project

Ruona gave a brief outline of the most recent Parks and Public Works committee meeting. Public requests were made that a sidewalk be added to Locust Street; the council had previously removed that option. The bid alternates for the project came in with the lowest bid from Haas and Sons, Inc. at $66,312.

“That was something that is obviously wanted to be done by the community so we’re following with that,” Ruona said.

The future compost site improvements were discussed, which would include an automated QR code scan system with a gate so residents and permit holders could access the compost site at more convenient times.

“I know that’s been a thorn for a lot of our residents here that can’t make it within the allotted times,” Ruona shared.

She commented on the Public Square tennis court remodel that calls for extending it by 120 feet and resurfacing it due to cracking. The cost proposal for the project is between $90,000 to $120,000 with part of the funds coming from the 2023 Capital Project Savings and the other half to be part of the 2024 Capital Budget. The council awarded the asphalt paving contract to Monarch Paving for $12,450 for the Public Square parking lot expansion. They also awarded K&S Driveway Guys a contract in the amount of $12,450 for color coating and net and post installation for two pickleball courts.  

The council also quickly approved the alternate bid to Haas Sons, Inc. for the sidewalk on Locust Street from Walnut Street to Walter Street in the amount of $66,311.90.

Permits and licenses

As the amplifier permits were on the agenda for approval, Otwell asked why the permit application for Scab’s requested an amplifier permit all year long for their outdoor patio.

“Have we done that before? All year?” Otwell questioned.

City Clerk Rashel Temmers explained that it may have been an error on the paperwork as the outdoor patio for the establishment closes in the winter.

“I think we should look into that,” Mayor Rob Daughtery said.

“Would you follow up on that?” Otwell asked Temmers, who readily agreed.

The liquor licenses for city establishments expired June 30 and reapproval was needed for 146 operator licenses applications. Discussions began regarding Enrique’s Taco House, which has a Class B beer license. The business is having trouble finding an agent as no one has agreed. Alderperson Pat Knox asked what would happen to Enrique’s if they didn’t come up with an agent in time.

“Just curious how it would work out if Enrique’s didn’t come up with an agent by the time the permit expires? I’m assuming that they would not be able to serve starting July 1. Does that mean that they would forfeit their license?” he asked.

“That Class B beer license is all that they hold,” Temmers said.

She asked if somebody knew someone who would help the establishment.

“I’ll step in and have a conversation with him. See if there’s something we can work out,” Jeremiah Boles from Triple J Liquor spoke up as he added, “I’d hate to see his business suffer.”

Boles then approached the podium during public comment and introduced himself to the council. He has purchased the old BP gas station and downtown liquor store, which he said will be called Triple J Liquor. He is also purchasing the commercial property that houses Subway, Enrique’s Taco House, and the former Prescott Journal office.

The council approved the liquor licenses, leaving them as is until Enrique’s Taco House can find an agent. They had until June 30.

Other business

For 2022, the City of Prescott Wastewater Treatment plant received a 3.81 rating out of 4.00 due to phosphorus from temporary equipment failure. The issue has since been repaired and chemicals were added to regain compliance.