Laserfiche WebLink
<br />CASE # .5 <br /> <br />CONSIDER DRIVEV,,'AY CULVERT POLICY <br />By: Steven Janliowski, Assistant City Engineer <br /> <br />Bacl<.ground: <br /> <br />The City of Ramsey has thoustl.nds of driveways located on streets with ditch sections providing <br />street drainage. The exact number has not been determined due to a number of factors including; <br />some rural subdivisions have curb and gutter; lax enforcement of the requirements in the older <br />subdivisions; and multiple driveways on individual lots; Staff will attempt to have an estimate <br />for this number by the tim~ of the meeting. Attached is the. Committee case and minutes from the <br />last time this subject was discussed in 1993. <br /> <br />The current City Code does not address the requirements for driveway culverts, however, as late <br />as 1999 the code required that a minimum 15 inch cuI vert be placed beneath every driveway <br />unless it was determined by the street superintendant that a culvert would not be required. The <br />City's prtlctice h~lS been to supply culverts to property owners at cost, incb.ldlng delivery. It has <br />also been City policy to have the property owner responsible for the maintenance and repair of <br />the driveway culvert. Until recently when the Public Works de'pal'tment acquired a jet/vac <br />machine the City had only the same method for cleaning as the property owner, a long shovel. <br /> <br />The pmpose oHhis case is to solicit direction for establishing a policy relative to culvert <br />installation and repair. Several iSSl.leS which should be included in such a policy include the <br />following; <br /> <br />Installation requirement - A minimum of a 15 inch culvert including fl,U'ed end sections shall be <br />required under every driveway in locations where street drainage is carried by a ditch section. <br />a. Insert a grandfather clause to exempt existing culverts? <br />b. Require installation for reconstructed driveway? <br />c. Develop a technical standard for the material. <br /> <br />Prohibition of Removal- A recent experience with a property owner removing the driveway <br />culvert rest.'Hted in the flooding of this property. Any new policy or code should specifically <br />make the property owner responsible for damage resulting from the blockage or removal of a <br />culvert. <br /> <br />lvJclintenance Requirements - The property owner shall be responsible for the maintenance'of <br />each c\.llvert as an integral element of their dd veway. <br />Il, . Does the City wish to offer their services (vac truck) fot' the cleaning of culvert'? <br />b. City to set a charge for cleaning? <br />c, Waiver of liability if the culvert collapses after cleaning because it is badly <br />deteriorated <br />d. Otler cleaning on new culverts constructed to standards only'? <br /> <br />29 <br />