Agenda - Public Works Committee - 10/21/2014

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City Engineer Westby explained this is a common situation in the City. It is a challenge to move water through thousands of feet of pipe, especially with some of it being flat pipe where the water may not go through. Also, there have been wetlands forming over the years, causing issues in the flow of the water. Mr. Full noted the area has large trees and it never was a wetland area. The storm water ponding area has created the water overflow in the area. He relayed to the Committee Members in an earlier meeting that it may be beneficial to dig out trees in the winter, dig holes and put in field stone and fabric over that. He said this would help drain the area quickly so the water does not over flow. His background is wetland management, and he said he is familiar with how some solutions would work. City Engineer Westby stated staff could look at the design ideas Mr. Full had suggested. He said they could determine what kind of soils are there and the rates of infiltration. Mr. Full suggested digging other ponds a little deeper. Chairperson Backous suggested the staff obtain estimates for the cost to dig ponds deeper and then it can be determined how it could fit into the budget. City Engineer Westby pointed out there are over 200 ponds and they are not maintained adequately. This could be a pilot program in how to maintain the ponds. Councilmember Riley expressed concern in starting a project that could potentially become a very large project and become difficult to continue. He clarified with Mr. Westby what the standards were for building at the time these developments went in, versus now. He pointed out there have been complaints in this area before. City Engineer Westby responded there is a list of properties with complaints on this issue. There are 12 to 18 names on the list, which is city wide. Many of the concerns are from homes built prior to the City becoming incorporated and now they are city property. Each situation is unique. Staff has attempted to remedy some of the situations; however, the estimate can be in the six - figure range. He said he will bring all this information to the next Public Works Committee meeting and the residents will be invited to hear an update. Councilmember Kuzma raised the issue that the maintenance program and modeling must be updated for the WMO. City Engineer Westby agreed that this needs to be done, and staff has been trying to work this in to the duties for quite some time. Councilmember Riley asked what the purpose is of the drainage easement. City Engineer Westby answered the drainage easement is there to allow drainage, no matter how the water gets there. The city has rights over it to maintain it and access it. He stated he was not Public Works Committee / September 16, 2014 Page 4 of 9