Agenda - Public Works Committee - 01/18/2011

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Public Works Committee Date: 01/18/2011 By: Tim Himmer Engineering/Public Works Information Item #: 5. 8. Title: Consider Offer to Purchase a Drainage & Utility Easement for the Chameleon Street NW Paving Project Background: Plans are currently being prepared for City Improvement Project 09 -25, the bituminous paving of Chameleon Street NW; which includes drainage improvements. The attached Figure 3 from the feasibility study for this project illustrates the proposed drainage improvements, which include reestablishing the three drainage ditches that convey runoff from the roadway to the wetland area to the north and east. Acquisition of an additional easement over the property at 17331 Chameleon Street would assist in making the necessary drainage improvements that correspond to this project, and improve the existing flow routes through the area. This additional drainage and utility easement would allow the project runoff to flow through an existing natural swale that runs northeasterly across the property from a swale along the south property line toward Thorn Lake. Currently drainage flows through this existing swale on the property; we are just attempting to memorialize the route with dedicated easements and compensation to the property owner. A secondary easement is also contemplated along the south property line, adjacent to the previously dedicated drainage and utility easement from the SHAWN ACRES subdivision, to allow for the installation of a storm sewer pipe to preserve existing trees to the extent feasible. Staff has met with the property owners, Sandra & Gregory Dingman, to discuss the easement acquisitions. They express a few concerns related to the requested dedication; including protection of the existing pine trees on the south property line, and access to the rear of their property. To alleviate these concerns staff discussed the ability to extend storm sewer pipe along the south property line beyond the tree limits, and at a convenient location within the rear of their property to allow for vehicular access. The property owners were agreeable to these proposed solutions. The property owners discussed the acquisition of these drainage and utility easements, which entails approximately 8,800 square feet of land area in two separate locations, at a cost of $1,500. Based upon a review of Anoka County tax records staff is agreeable to their request, as the amount is consistent with what the City has purchased similar easements for in the past. All property and easement acquisitions must be approved by the City Council; therefore staff is bringing this request to the Public Works Committee for discussion and a recommendation to the entire Council. Additional field work will be required to lay out the exact easement corridor and the preparation of legal descriptions for the final easement acquisition documents. Recommendation: Staff recommends that the Public Works Committee recommend to City Council the acquisition of the drainage and utility easements across the property located at 17331 Chameleon Street NW in the amount of $1,500, and that staff conduct the necessary field surveys to prepare the easement legal descriptions. Funding Source: Consistent with the feasibility study for City Improvement project 09 -25, the funding for the purchase of these easements would be from the Storm Water Utility. Council Action: