Laserfiche WebLink
<br />noted that an average quarter acre lot would cost about $350-$500 more. Re stated that staff is <br />recommending that the City adopt a minimum of 4 inches of MnDot' 3877C, premium topsoil <br />and work with the Building Department to enforce this. for fmal grade. <br /> <br />Vice-Chair Dehen stated that he understands why the City would want.to encourage the use of <br />clay materials because it holds more moisture, but feels this will rely on somebody telling the <br />City that the soil is fine. He stated that he doesn't think the Building Department should have'to <br />go look at the soil and say, "this doesn't look black enough" <br /> <br />Assistant City Engineer Rimmer noted that there are suppliers that will test and certify the. soil, <br />so it will be quantifiable. <br /> <br />Councilmember Olson stated that if there are companies that can test and certify the soil, she <br />thinks there could be a requirement that this be presented to the City. <br /> <br />Vice-Chair Dehen asked about requiring catch basins for rain water as another option for <br />reducing water usage. <br /> <br />Assistant City Engineer Rimmer noted that there is a Comprehensive Storm Water Management <br />plan being worked on right now, but doesn't think those kinds of things will be required. <br /> <br />Councilmember Olson stated that she is in favor of this proposal and is appalled that Ramsey has <br />been identified as one of the highest users of non-consumptive water. She stated that she would <br />like the City to take a look at other ways water usage can be decreased and also ways of giving <br />incentive to residents, for example using gray water or rain gardens. She stated that at the very <br />least, there should be some education for people on ways to do this. <br /> <br />Assistant City Engineer Rimmer stated that the idea is to get this started with new developments <br />with something quantifiable and then continue moving in this direction with other things. <br /> <br />Councilmember Look suggested that the City require the developer to submit proof of soil <br />certification before they receive final approval. <br /> <br />Vice-Chair Dehen stated that he thinks that is a good idea and doesn't really see a down side. Re <br />stated that he thinks Ramsey being one of the biggest non-consumptive water users is more a fact <br />of the sand dune type soil rather than being water hogs. <br /> <br />Councilmember Olson stated that she agrees, but feels there are some responsible things the City <br />can do to improve the situation. <br /> <br />Councilmember Look stated that he would like to see more "teeth" in the ordinance, so <br />developers cannot skimp on having 4 inches of this topsoil in place. <br /> <br />Vice-Chair Dehen suggested that the builder could supply the City with trucking loads. <br /> <br />Public Works Committee I July 15,2008 <br />Page 9 of 13 <br />