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