Small Town News

Rolla Council debates ag chemical route through city

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The unusually high number of anhydrous ammonia near-misses this year in Rolette County fueled a spirited debate last Wednesday at the Rolla City Council meeting.

Council members discussed the city's current ordinance concerning the transporting of the agricultural chemical through the city limits and debated whether or not to change the hazardous chemical route through the city.

Along with the recent anhydrous ammonia scares in the county, a letter to the council was received from Lake Region District Health Unit (LRDU) in regards to the current ordinance, (ordinance 394) requesting the council consider changing the current route chemical haulers are allowed to take while transporting through city limits. The letter was signed by Candace Carlson and Allen McKay, environmental health professionals from LRDHU, which includes Rolette County.

The letter says the current routes do not follow precautionary rules concerning the transport of anhydrous ammonia, in particular the guideline that encourages cities to take steps to reduce the likelihood of exposure to a large number of people in case of a leak.

The city's current route goes down Fourth Avenue Northeast, directly in front of Mount Pleasant School and just a block away from Presentation Medical Center.

Carlson and McKay's letter also asks that the council consider routes that away from schools, hospitals, Main Avenue and any other routes that may endager a high number of people and essential services.

According to the letter, the current routes allowed do not follow those recommended guidelines and should be more clearly marked.

Mayor Scott Mitchell was the first to speak up, saying the current ordinance was amended in 2003 and despite the recent near-misses, no evidence has really been presented to indicate that the chemical cannot be safely transported on the current route.

Councilman Duane Wilkie, who is also a farmer in the Rolla area, said he believes the current ordinance doesn't need changing, just enforcing.

"I think the ordinance on the books should be enforced," Wilkie said, "but I don't think we have to react just because there is a possible 'what if situation. The farmers follow the route and most are very careful when they're pulling a tank through town. Yeah, there's some danger, but really no more than a propane or fuel truck taking the same route. I have kids in the school, too, and I certainly don't want anything to happen. But I am not in favor of changing the route and making it tougher to get tanks through town."

Councilman Dennis Berg was on the other side, saying he favored a change in the route away from the school.

"I would like to see it (transport route) stay away from the school," Berg said. "I know nothing bad has ever happened and probably won't, but I don't want to have my name on an ordinance if anything ever does happen and it could have been avoided. I appreciate the farmers and what they do, but I would just feel better if there was a different route."

Councilman Todd Mears also weighed in, saying he would "like to see the route changed to not go by the school" as well.

The other council members, Brandon Elick, Ryan Mitchell and John Hardy, joined the discussion by saying that they believe the current ordinance does what it supposed to do.

"That route is probably the best-controlled road in the city because that road is so bad, there's no way you can speed on it," Elick said.

Hardy said, "I've been sitting here trying to weigh everything and I just don't know where you draw the line."

Gordon Krech, the owner of Rolla Fertilizer and Flying, which provides anhydrous nurse tanks to the area's agricultural community, also submitted a letter to the council.

Krech, who has been in the business of selling anhydrous ammonia for 28 years, informed the council that since his time in the business, a nurse tank being transported through the city had never sprung a leak. His letter stated that most of the leaks that have happened have come when the tank was hooked up to an applicator and something has caused the hose or valve to be damaged.

Krech's letter also said that the nurse tanks are constructed of more than one quarter-inch steel, are manufactured and tested in accordance with federal regulations and are inspected regularly by the North Dakota Department of Agriculutre and North Dakota Insurance Department.

The letter further indicated that during the past week, Krech had contacted several ag industry officials to address safety concerns with the tanks and none could deliver any written evidence of tank leaks during transport.

In closing Krech's letter said, "I certainly understand pople's concerns, but I do not feel there is much, if any danger, of a leak happening while transporting NH3 nurse tanks on a short and direct route through town."

The council did agree to contact local officials and hold a safety meeting with farmers, reiterating the dangers and safety procedures in transporting anhydrous ammonia through city limits. Councilmen also discussed posting a clear route map through the city at the sales site of the anhydrous and possibly better marking the routes with signage, but no further, action was taken.

Anyone cited for violating the transport route ordinance is subject to a $300 fine.

In other business, the council:

Heard a report from Police Chief Tom Allard, who is pleading with motorists in the city to slow down on the icy roads and indicated his department is attempting to step up patrol to slow down the drivers.

Allard also notified the council that a grant may be available to assist in purchasing a new patrol vehicle to replace the aging Crown Victoria in the city's police fleet. He suggested looking into the possibility of upgrading with a newer Crown Victoria so most of the current equipment could be transferred.

Berg, who serves on the Police Committee, made a motion to pay off the remaining debt on the city's Trail-blazer patrol unit if the department finishes 2009 with extra cash that would not drop below the department's projected 2009 budget surplus of $44,000 at the end of the year.

Recommended employee wage increases for Mike Volanti and Jeff Thomas of the public works department. Both will receive a 3 percent increase and Brad Ruppelius to receive a 6 percent increase. The reason for Ruppelius' higher percentage was because he did not receive a six-month increase.

Mae Murphy and Shirley Hamley were each granted 3 percent wage increases and the police committee indicated it would recommend wage increases following employee evaluations to be completed in the near future.

Agreed to offer $2,500 to purchase land owned by Evelyn Albert and Frieda Hasen that has been informally known as the Rolla City Park located on the east side of Rolla Floral.

A letter from Alex Albert, representing the owners of the land, was presented and requested the city offer $5,000 to purchase the land. The City of Rolla currently reimburses the owners of the property for taxes and maintains the property, according to city officials.

Heard a report about the upgrade of the city water treatment system. Public Works Director Volanti indicated that much of the work has been done and it is anticpated that the system will be up and running in the near future.

Changes coming in garbage collection

Rolla residents will see their Waste Management green refuse totes replaced this week, the latest step in a garbage service transition.

In October, the Rolla City Council opted to not renew a contract with Waste Management, effectively ending a working relationship that was established in 2000.

The council awarded the bid to Laducer Sanitation, a company based in Belcourt.

The five-year contract is set to begin with the initial pickups on January 3.

According to Laducer Sanitation secretary-treasuer, Mitch Laducer, new, granite colored totes will replace the existing totes beginning this week.

"We got the totes in last night and expect the dump-sters to start arriving by the weekend," Laducer said last Thursday. "We want to make it as smooth a transition as possible."

Laducer indicated there will be a slight change in garbage pickup dates. Garbage was collected on Monday and Thursday, but Laducer said that will change to Mondays and Fridays.

By signing with Laducer Sanitation, garbage rates are expected to remain unchanged. According to City Auditor, Mae Murphy, the city is expected to save approximately $800 a year compared to bids submitted by Waste Management.

The current rate for residential areas is $22.50 a month and $29.50 for commercial property.

Laducer Sanitation is familiar with the area, having served the community of Rolette for more than 30 years and St. John for 12.

Residents are being asked to leave their totes by the curb during the week in order for the totes to be swapped out.

If anyone has any questions, they can call City Hall at 477-3610 ext. 11.



Copyright 2009 Turtle Mountain Star, Rolla, North Dakota. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.

© 2010 Turtle Mountain Star Rolla, North Dakota. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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