Agenda - Council - 07/26/1994 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Observations: Although it is apparent that the City made some commitment to address the drainage concern from the documentation that Staff has been able to locate and review, it is not clear what this solution specifically was supposed to entail, it is likely that much of the discussion regarding this issue is verbal. Staff believes the minor ditching referenced in the feasibility study for the street paving did not involve complete ditching throughout the length of the low areas, but ditching in selected high areas. The brevity of the Council minutes during this period, further attests to this. Assuming the City did decide to proceed with the ditching of a drainage way between culverts #1 through #4 on the attached Section 22 drainage sketch, the present construction cost :of the work possibly may not be substantially more than the $2,500 that was initially identified in 1989, if the project can be done with a single piece of equipment and excavated material can be left along side of the ditch. However, to legally accomplish the work, the City would need to have legal access to the property and would also need to obtain the necessary environmental permits for the work. Permits for this work may need to be obtained from the Department of Natural Resources, The Army Corps of Engineers, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and the Lower Rum River Water Management Organization. Easements for constructing the ditch between culverts #1 through #4 may involve as many as 10 property owners. While some of these property owners ma3' freely grant the easement, others would have to be obtained by en'finent domain and compensated. Those persons wishing to freely grant the easement would need to be advised that the easement they are granting is compensable. The cost of the permit applications and the easements will be likely well in excess of the estimated construction cost. Finally, Staff believes it is reasonable due to the scope of the remedy to accurately identify the scope of the impact caused by City roadway runoff. The section of 156th Avenue N.W. which contributes runoff to the wetland which extends into Mr. t-Iendriksen's property is less than 250 feet. The area of the wetland is not well defined and is variable depending on whether the County half sections or the National Wetland Inventor), map is used. The topographic mapping should define the boundary area of the wetland. On April 13, 1994, the City authorized MarkHurd to provide the budgeted aerial topographic mapping for the southeastern quadrant of the City which includes this drainage area. This topographic report is currently expected to be received by August 1, 1994. It is expected that this mapping may increase the CounciI's ability to more accurately assess the appropriate course of action to take on this issue. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends tabling the issue until the MarkHurd mapping is received. Council Action: Based upon discussion. Reviewed by: City Engineer City Administrator City Attorney CC: 07/26/94 ,/jmt