Agenda - Council - 04/27/2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Councilmember Elvig commented they are discussing a far 'more environmentally sound approach that works well, especially when thinking about having to clean up the water that flows into the park. In addition to language concerning the maintenance of the rain garden he suggested language be included regarding the aesthetics of the rain garden. Assistant Public Works Director Olson replied the association could be held to a threshold. The language could state that if the plants gets beyond a certain height the City will come in and complete maintenance. Councilmember Cook noted that most of the time rain gardens fail is if they are designed to cover too large of an area and they get mOre silted than expected for the area. He suggested they be certain they do not have too small of a rain garden for too large of an area. Public Works Director Kapler_ stated one concern.regarding the maintenance of the rain gardens is that in his experience with native plantings, part of the normal maintenance is burning them. He would appreciate if there is language included that states in this higher density area burning is not allowed as part of maintenance. Councilmember Cook suggested it be recommended that landscape materials be used that are acceptable to large amounts of water followed by droughts. Assistant Public Works Director Olson stated if the Council does not want rain gardens included in the plan they need to inform staff of this as a Council. Councilmember Cook indicated the raingardens can be allowed as long as there is a primary system designed that handles the overall drainage. He suggested they see what the rain gardens will do for them and how they last. Assistant Public Works Director Olson explained one option being explored in another area is a storm scepter has been discussed where they do not have area for a rain garden. A storm scepter will provide maintenance as well, and is another practice that can be used. Councilmember Kurak stated once associations are taken over by the people who live there they begin wondering why the City is not doing things like taking care of their streets when they pay taxes. If the rain gardens are perceived as a.drainage system of Town Center there will be a lot of people wanting to know why the City is not maintaining them. They should keep that in mind when discussing this, if something different is made later the City may have to pay for it or listen to complaining about it. Councilmember Cook stated the difference here would be regular landscaping. The thing to understand is to remove sediment from rainwater will require maintenance from time to time, whether it is a rain garden or another type of basin. City Council/February 24, 2004 Page 15 of 31