Minutes - Council - 10/08/1985 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Douglas Fountain - 15255 Garnet Street - Stated that he attended a County Board meeting this mo~ning and there was some discussion regarding the high water table and building homes in dry years. County discussed the possibility of recording in the abstracts any evidence of high water so the purchaser is aware. Ms. Bancroft - Stated that a storm culvert was installed on 152nd; it drained down Rhinestone to 151st and into a ditch that is backing up; why wasn't this water drained to a natural low area? Mr. Goodrich stated that even though Ramsey is a Charter city, it has a grant of power and Council has the authority to provide for the good order of the City and protection of public and private property; the City does have authority to expend general funds to resolve problems. With respect to liability, there is a possibility that the City could be held liable for not solving a problem that the City implied it would solve by undertak±ng a pumping project. Liability increases substantially when the City moves water; if you flood out someone else, the City will be held liable for damages. With respect to budget considerations, the Council should give Staff direction on how-much pumping will be done, how much money is to be spent, and where. Mr. Raatikka stated that Gorham's Sandy Acres and Magnesium Street could be pumped; it would be costly and take many days to accomplish; pumping requires landowner permission and DNR perm±ts. A possible solution for the 149th area would be to pump the water across Highway #10; possiblity of creating another problem because the water would have to be brought across Skelgas property which is already flooded. Motion by Mayor Heitman and seconded by Council-member Cox, for discussion, to direct the Ci.ty Engineer to review possible candidate areas for pumping keeping in mind the liability the City can incur in altering water, i.e., to look for a short term solution that does not compound the problem; further, to report back to Council on October 11, 1985 with a plan to be implemented and approximate costs. Further Discussion: Mr. Schnelle stated that Council should take action to get immediate rel~.ef to Gorham's Sandy Acres and Magnesiu~ Street. Councilmember Cox stated that there are areas like Gorham's Sandy Acres which Council can take action on tonight and the City Engineer can report back to Council on October 10 regarding other recommended areas for pumping. Mayor Heitman withdrew his motion and Counc±lmember Cox w~thdrew h±s second to it. Motion by Councilmenlber Cox and seconded by Mayor He!tman to reques~ that a special Council meeting be scheduled for Thursday,. October 10, 1985 at 7:30 p.m. at which ti~Be the City Engineer will present recormBendations and their associated costs with respect to the drai.nage problems presented to Council this evening. Motion carried. 'Voting Yes: Mayor He±tman, Councilmembers Sorteberg, Cox, Reimann and Sch!uete~. Voting No: None. Motion by Mayor Heitman and seconded by. Counc!lmen~be~ Reimann, for discussion, directing the City Engineer, in conjunction wi.th the Planning and Zoning Commission, to develop a revised hi~gh water'table map identifying those areas currently flooded in Ramsey. October 8, 1985 Page 4 of 14