Minutes - Council - 08/09/1994 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

suggested that each alternative would mitigate the problem Mr. Hendriksen is having; however, there is no guarantee that Mr. Hendriksen's property won't be wet again, as it is lowland. Mr. Hendriksen stated that Option gl is essentially the project ordered by Council in 1989. He stated that a copy of the EAW written in connection with the building of 153rd Avenue N.W. acknowledges that paving of 153rd Avenue N.W. may require an outlet structure to Wetland #656. Ramsey Boulevard N.W. also runs into that wetland and there is no outlet provided. He presented a map showing what the wetland looked like before anything was done. He noted a field road used by Mr. Patterson goes through the wetland. When 153rd Avenue N.W. was being constructed, Mr. John Gobernatz was approached by City Staff as they were interested in putting a concrete culvert - Mr. Gobernatz was not interested. No more was done. Mr. Hendriksen suggested that Option #2 resolves his problem but does not solve the problems of other property owners. Some of them are opposed to solving my problem unless the overall situation is addressed. Option #4 is too expensive. He felt that Mr. Jankowski, in good conscience, could not propose Option #5. This proposes to construct four ponds - not one, or to tear up a portion of the street. There are a lot of engineering problems with this one and it would be far more costly. This option does not address the drainage problem created when 156th was constructed. Mr. Dick Swanson 6912 - 156th Lane N.W., Ramsey, stated he has done some research but that he hasn't seen Mr. Jankowski's proposals so he cannot respond to them. He felt that the construction of 156th Lane N.W. did not do anything to change the water. According to the Corps of Engineers, if it looks like a wetland, it's a wetland. The area being discussed would probably come under both the Corps and the State regulations for a wetland. Mr. Swanson felt that by "messing around with digging little ditches here and there will not solve this 'so-called' problem. I am not so sure in the study that it fits the criteria in objectives and goals in water management that the City Council has adopted, but let's assume you will go against your own policy. For Ditch #3, create and purchase easements and build a county ditch and come through my property, etc. You have already spent a lot of time on this. "Bite the bullet, build a big ditch, make it last, make it permanent. It would be an asset to our property to have a ditch". Gordy Cornelius, 15231 Jaspar Street N.W., Ramsey, stated he has lived in Ramsey since 1971 and that he was one of the first to settle in that area. At that time, the southern part of the pond had no water in it at all; it was lowland but no water (mudholes). He first noticed water when the ditch was put in on 156th Lane N.W. The water started rising. He stated he put a little duck pond on the north end of his property and dug it down five feet. He then put a fence around it to keep children from falling in. He started cleaning out the swamp and mowing the grass around it. The water started coming up and soon it was up to the fence. The water continued to rise until he was forced to remove the fence, it couldn't even be seen. Mr. Cornelius suggested that the water really started rising following the construction of 153rd. It appears there is no outlet for the water and putting in a holding area will not help solve the problem. We need to get some kind of drainage ditch. He stated he has lost about 1/3 of an acre of his property from water and that he has to keep filling dirt in. He expressed concern about losing more lawn space. He also expressed concern that this water will impact the cess pools. He added that the City has planted shrubbery and about 85 percent of it has been flooded out. Mayor Gilbertson inquired if Mr. Jankowski was interested in putting in a ditch. Mr. Jankowski stated that he will initiate Option gl if it is the consensus of the Council. City Council/August 9, 1994 Page 7 of 20