Minutes - Public Works Committee - 01/15/2008

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Civil Engineer Linton stated that the rate computation takes into account the gross acres on the site, how much is covered with hard surface and then the area covered is taken as a percentage with a sliding multiplier. He stated that this is done city-wide and every property is treated the same. Mr. Rowe stated that he would like to give a little history on the situation. He stated that when the fee went into place, part of the question was why they were charged such a large fee and the answer was because he created more run off. He stated that his point, all along, has been that the water doesn't end up in the Mississippi River and head off to Louisiana, but stays in the City of Ramsey. He stated that he would dig a pond and the water could go into the ground and go down or it could go into the natural wetland that is 50 feet beyond and the water could go in and go down. The water is staying in Ramsey. He stated that when they constructed one of their new buildings, they put in a pipe that from the ditch to the wetland behind them. Chairperson Elvig stated that he feels it is common sense that the more impervious surface you have the more of an impact this will have. He stated that he thought that Mr. Rowe had agreed to dig a pond and because of this, the City stayed any fees because it was the City's understanding that this was the agreement but it has not been done. Mr. Rowe stated that he hired a firm to draw up the pond and then a hydrologist said that if he digs the pond, it will drain the wetland. City Engineer Jankowski stated that Mr. Rowe applied for a permit with the LRRWMO and it was approved, as presented. Councilmember Dehen asked if Mr. Rowe felt that he shouldn't pay the storm water utility fee because he feels he is not using the City services because the water is not draining into a culvert. Mr. Rowe stated that he has argued that point since the beginning because, in his opinion, the water is still going into the ground. He stated that he does not feel he is asking for special treatment. He stated that he does have someone currently working on a smaller pond design. He stated that he feels that there is some City responsibility here too because there is a problem on the road. He stated that he is creating some of the problem, but the City is also creating some of it too. He stated that he has spent money for infrastructure changes and suggested that he and the City work together to resolve the problem. He stated that because he has paid for infrastructure changes, he would like his storm water utility fees eliminated. Mayor Gamec asked whether Mr. Rowe was stating that he had installed a pipe into the County ditch that took the water someplace else. Mr. Rowe stated that was correct and showed on the aerial maps the approximate location of the pipe and where it connects to their drainage system and discharges behind his buildings. Mayor Gamec asked why the County wasn't fixing the problem with the ditch. He stated that he thinks that Mr. Rowe need to be responsible for the drainage from his building and does not think that any credit should be given for taking care of the drainage off the road. Public Works Committee /January 15, 2008 Page 3 of 13