Agenda - Council - 07/12/2016 - Laserfiche WebLink

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5. COMMITTEE BUSINESS 5.01: Provide City Council Recommendations for Gibbon Street and 173'd Avenue Drainage Improvements Feasibility Report Chairperson Riley explained the homeowners that initially brought this item to the City are not able to attend the meeting tonight. Discussion will take place, though no motions will be made. City Engineer Westby reviewed the staff report. Councilmember Kuzma asked if the feasibility study was conducted in-house. City Engineer Westby confirmed it was. City Engineer Westby noted this is a feasible project. The project would include a 3,000 foot storm sewer system with aprons on either end. The cost is estimated to be about $325,000. The number of benefitting properties is fairly small. There have been four property owners that have come forward with wet basements. The staff recommendation is to consider whether special assessments can pay for most of it, or determine whether funds can be purchased. He said he looked online for grants or anything similar that would apply. While something may become available in the future, he said there is nothing he could find that would fit the situation. Currently, it is under consideration to assess the cost to the property owners. The City will receive little benefit for completing this project and it would not make sense for the City to absorb the cost. The residents have pointed out they have been paying for the storm water utility fee throughout the years, and have not received benefit from that. Staff did discuss this case with the City Attorney, and learned that the City is under no obligations that it is aware of, to fix this issue. This home was built before the City was incorporated, which tends to be the case with many of these situations. Councilmember Kuzma questioned whether the homeowner could put in a sump pump and drain tile on their own to fix the issue. City Engineer Westby responded there are several systems available, and the associated costs are from the mid -thousands of dollars to tens of thousands. He said the resident had called for estimates on different systems, but he has not heard back from the resident with what they learned. Chairperson Riley asked if using a sump pump would really fix the issue. Civil Engineer II Linton explained a drain system would capture the water, but there is no place to let it out. The water would find its way back in if it is simply pumped out. Chairperson Riley inquired whether lowering the ground water would be possible and of benefit. Civil Engineer II Linton Leonard responded it could be lowered to a point. The pond cannot be lowered more than the lowest level of the wetland. The basement is most likely below the level Public Works Committee / May 17, 2016 Page 2 of 7