FAIRMONT - Sometimes it's good to know you're not alone. And then again, sometimes it isn't - like when you're applying for a federal grant to help pay for a new water treatment plant.
Based on the applications Charles Ackman has seen, cities across the country are in the same predicament as Fairmont - searching for financial help to replace aging infrastructure.
Ackman, regional outreach director for Sen. Amy Klobuchar, and Nate Arch, with Sen. Al Franken's office, were in town Wednesday to learn more about Fairmont's need for a new plant and to see firsthand the problems plaguing the existing facility. The two met with city staff, project engineers and Mayor Randy Quiring, before touring the plant.
"Fairmont is one of those southern Minnesota communities who's always been pretty independent," said City Administrator Jim Zarling. "... We try to take care of the things we need on our own, but the size and impact of this project is significant enough we do need your help. If we didn't, we wouldn't be asking for it."
Realistically, Arch said, the city shouldn't bank on getting any more than $2 million, possibly $3 million - and that's a stretch.
"I checked this project off as one I had to find out more about," Arch said, "because when I saw $31 million, I knew that was not something we were ever going to come close to this year."
To improve the city's odds of being chosen to receive any appropriation funds, Arch advised the staff to break the project into parts that could be funded in whole by a federal grant.
"This year there is page after page of infrastructure (applications.) It doesn't bode well for you guys, but you need to hear it," Ackman said.
Fairmont's circumstances may not stand out on paper among other cities' infrastructure issues, but seeing is believing, as they say. That's why Brad Potter with I&S Group - responsible for designing parts of Fairmont's new plant - coordinated the meeting.
"They're actually using duct tape," Arch said, laughing in surprise, after maneuvering the narrow spiral staircase to see the corroding pipes on the plant's lower level.
Significant portions of the existing plant are 80-plus years old, including infrastructure and mechanical systems. Department employees have actually fabricated certain parts, when equipment became too old to buy replacements.
"The useful life of the plant has been maximized," said Troy Nemmers, public works director. "We looked at rehabilitating the facility, but building new was the most cost effective."
The new plant is estimated at $31 million, with the city continuing to treat surface water from Budd Lake. Residents and businesses seem to understand the need for the building, but the cost is a big concern, the mayor has found in his talks around the community.
Fairmont already increased its water rate by 20 percent in 2009, and another 25 percent 2010. Similar increases planned for the next two years will put the city at an economic disadvantage with comparable communities, said Paul Hoye, Fairmont's finance director.
"Every year we get calls from people who do struggle, who are on a fixed income," Hoye said, anticipating those calls will increase as the rates go up.
Neither Arch nor Ackman has a direct influence on what projects appropriation committees choose, but they do hold some sway.
"My role is, I can say, 'I met with these guys and understand the process,'" Ackman said, and if anyone in Washington D.C. has any questions about the project, he'll know the answer.
The two also gave suggestions for alternative funding sources. The most likely to assist the city - U.S. Department of Agriculture - is ruled out, however, since Fairmont's population is just over 10,000.
"For you guys between 10 and 20,000, I wish there was something I could say besides, 'Oye,'" Ackman said.
