Minutes - Council - 06/12/1990 - Laserfiche WebLink

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new subdivisions are obligated to take care of their drainage to the extent that a chain may occur where storm water is best handled from one basin to the next. Dorothy Stadfelt inquired as to where it is documented in City minutes that there would be a change in the storm water drainage plans for Juniper Woods from what was originally approved with final plat approval. Mr. Otto replied that he doesn't think the change in storm water drainage plans were documented in minutes. Mr. Otto explained that in this situation the owner of the new subdivision also owns the lot in Rum Acre Estates on which the City has an easement for drainage. Jean Schlueter stated that it appears Juniper Woods is being developed backwards and nobody is taking responsibility. Jean indicated that there is a sign at Highway g47 N.W. and 153rd Avenue N.W. indicating that Phase I and Phase II of Juniper Woods are now open. Jean inquired as to when Phase II received City approval. Jean Schlueter also noted that the Phase II ponding area is not recorded at the County. Lynn Gottwaldt of 14981 Juniper Ridge Drive N.W. stated that she now understands that the City is going to retain a ponding area on Lot 1, Block 5, Rum Acre Estates with the potential for three foot of standing water. Lynn stated that she moved to the area for the safety of her children and now the City has created a death trap where children might drown. Mayor Reimann inquired as to the proximity of the Gottwaldt home from the river. Lynn Gottwaldt replied that she is not sum but them are rules in her family about going to the river, her children would be walking and biking past the ponding area which is only 500 yards from her home; even pools have to be fenced and the City is putting a dangerous ponding area out in the open accessible to children. Mr. Otto indicated that there are storm water retention basins all over the northern Metro Area that have standing water that are considered amenities; some even dug deeper to attract additional wildlife to them. Mr. Otto also stated that he can sympathize with the safety concerns but a retention pond is not an undue hazard. Sue Damyanovich of 15130 Juniper Ridge Drive N.W. stated that in fairness to the residents of Rum Acre Estates, the City could at least install the storm sewer pipe and then restore the lot to the way it was before by adding ~l and top soil to allow for seepage below and growth on top. Sue Damyanovich stated that if the four to five feet of fill that is removed from the lot were put back, there wouldn't have to be a discussion of children drowning. Councilmember DeLuca noted that installation of sewer pipe and adding fill to the lot will make it a buildable lot. Jean Schlueter replied that the lot will not be buildable until the drainage easement is not needed any longer. Jean Schlueter summarized that the City is proposing to take the overflow which was caused to come into Rum Acre Estates from Juniper Woods and pipe it back into the pondlng area in Juniper Woods and leave three feet of standing water in Rum Acre Estates. Mr. Otto stated that the lot in Rum Acre Estates and the ponding area in Juniper Woods were to function as equalization ponds. Jean Schlueter inquired as to why the pond in Juniper Woods can't be developed without a liner and percolate naturally. Mr. Otto replied that the developer is looking to create an amenity and to do that, you have to retain water. Jean Schlueter indicated that City minutes do not indicate there was ever a discussion or approval of creating this amenity. Richard Schlueter of 15011 Juniper Ridge Drive N.W. inquired if legally the City is covered by an "errors and omissions clause". Mr. Goodrich replied that the City is fully insured for any ne.gligence; the courts ultimately decide if a City made a judgement that is not appropriate. Mr. Goodrich also noted that individual Councilmembers are also insured if they are acting in their scope of authority. Councilmember DeLuca inquired as to the maximum elevation to which the storm sewer pipe could be raised and still function as a drainage system. Mr. Otto replied that he would have to research that because there has to be a minimum gradient maintained between the two ponds. Mr. Otto noted that the basin was intended to provide an additional margin of capability to take care of storm water run-off. Councilmember Cich stated that he is looking for installation of storm sewer pipe, restoration of the ponding area to its previous City Council/June 12, 1990 Page 6 of 13