Woodbury Council Roundup: Water Quality, Sewer Construction, Stonemill Farms

The Woodbury City Council last week approved 24-7 work hours for a sewer project, learned about a recent spike in chemicals in city water, approved the preliminary plat for the next additions to the Stonemill Farms development and heard from County Attorney Pete Orput

Dozens of area residents also packed the council chambers as .

Public Works Director David Jessup said the in Woodbury does not appear to indicate that the perfluorochemicals, or PFCs, have migrated to private wells in the city.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is unsure what caused the spike, Jessup said, but officials will continue to monitor the wells more closely.

The PFC levels have been dropping for years, so officials suspect it's a temporary blip.

"We have not seen any direct impact on city or private wells outside the 3M site," Jessup said.

Washington County Attorney Pete Orput stopped by the council chambers on Oct. 12 to talk about working with the city attorney and police officers, hosting crime-prevention classes and helping veterans with PTSD who may become involved in minor crimes.

The attorney’s office is also putting a focus on reducing truancy in area schools.

“If you don’t educate them, we will incarcerate them,” Orput said.

The council on Wednesday approved the preliminary plat for the 10th-14th additions to the Stonemill Farms development.

Community Development Director Dwight Picha outlined some of the concerns about the addition, mostly related to drainage in the southern portion near Bailey Road. A holding pond south of Bailey will handle the water.

The council discussion mostly centered on future Bailey Road access points, which have been outlined by Washington County.

Councilman Paul Rebholz urged developers to make these access points known, so those who buy homes in the area—generally between Lake and Bailey roads west of Settlers Ridge Parkway—know a road will be coming in at some point.

Making that information clear to homebuyers would “head off a few things,” Rebholz said.

“We want to be transparent with what our plans are,” he said.

The council approved extended work hours for the crew working on the .

The sewer line is being built to in the so-called Phase II portion of the city, primarily south and east of .

The city could rescind the approval should issues arise with the late-night work, City Engineer Klayton Eckles said.

• Approved a lawful gambling permit for , which is going in the space .
• Approved .
• Heard an update on freeway corridor districts.
• Announced plans for a event at on Saturday.

At the workshop meeting set for Wednesday, Oct. 19, the council is expected to discuss water service, 2012 roadwork, council compensation and the city newsletter (Councilman Christopher Burns is looking at reducing costs in that area).