Minutes - Council Work Session - 07/31/2012

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Councilmember Wise asked about the option of having fees released as work is completed, or to "stack" the surety and then not release funds until the full project is completed. Mayor Ramsey stated the consensus of the Council is to provide the options of Volume Banking and Stormwater Impact Fund. Interim Engineer Nelson stated the City has adequately collected sureties for developments going back 20 years and if the amount has not been found to be inadequate, then there is no reason to increase it dramatically. He explained the proposed standards do not change the surety amount a lot for smaller commercial sites but makes a difference of $8,000 to $12,000 on larger commercial sites because it takes 125% of construction and adds another 10% contingency, plus 30% administrative. Interim Engineer Nelson felt the 10% and 30% amounts were "overkill" and the 125% amount should be enough to bring staff to the table and complete the job if the developer defaults. The other item is with large developments and the proposed fee of $2,500 /acre for restoration. However, when you have a 100 -200 acre development, the cost is much less than $2,500 /acre. Interim Engineer Nelson recommended setting minimum fees for sites of five acres or less and to have actual costs for sites larger than five acres. Councilmember Strommen stated Andover has the highest construction fees: 15% administrative and a 125% multiplier. Mayor Ramsey asked if it is possible to "stack" the surety with the escrow /letters of credit. Councilmember Strommen stated that may be an option and explained each of the member City Councils were to discuss this issue and be ready to discuss it at the LRRWMO meeting. She stated she can bring the "stacking" option before the LRRWMO. Mayor Ramsey stated he did not favor the Third Generation Plan because now when someone builds a house by a wetland, the silt fence has to remain in place until the whole thing is done and the yard is installed, front and back. Then, after occupancy, the silt fence can be removed, which will damage the yard just installed. Mayor Ramsey stated this requirement is to discourage people from putting grass in the last strip of buffer area, which he thinks is ridiculous. He stated he offered a lot of suggestions to the LRRWMO, to allow the silt fence back to a line so they can complete their yard, but that was not considered. Mayor Ramsey stated he would support not requiring the rear yard to be finished prior to removing the silt fence. Councilmember Strommen stated this is a tough issue and she appreciates the Council's feedback so she can participate in the discussion with the LRRWMO. 2.05: Progress 2012 Parks' Capital Improvements Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood reviewed the staff report and requested Council direction. It was noted the design schematics, Phases 1 and 2, under scope of services, would be a not -to- exceed cost of $9,975. City Council Work Session / July 31, 2012 Page 13 of 18