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Mr. Miske said it is not new. He just paid $20,000 out of pocket to fix his basement, and he can <br /> see that could happen again. He said he would like to see something be done so he doesn't have <br /> to do this again. <br /> City Engineer Westby noted the County ditch has the capacity to accept water from this low <br /> lying area based on constructing option #4. This shouldn't be an issue with the County ditch. <br /> Chairperson Riley questioned whether this project would really lower the water table. <br /> City Engineer Westby explained water tables do not stay the same. The fact that this is a low- <br /> lying area means it will naturally collect more water. It is impossible to know whether this <br /> project would lower the water table. However, knowing that 99% of the time, the basement is <br /> dry, it means there is a good chance this would be of help. <br /> Civil Engineer IV Linton explained as the water gets above normal, it would drain. He noticed <br /> at a site visit that the water was almost up to the street. He thought the sump pump was running <br /> constantly, and it was pumping into the backyard. The wetland is right there, so the water was <br /> just cycling. An outlet would help to carry the water away. If there is ground water getting into a <br /> system, and into a basement, the outlet would provide a way for it to not be cycled back in. <br /> Councilmember Johns noticed that reducing frequency and severity was mentioned in the <br /> feasibility report. She asked if this will more or less cap the water so it doesn't go over the level <br /> that would begin flooding. <br /> City Engineer Westby said there has been more rain in a shorter period of time in recent years. <br /> This increases the chance of flooding. However, with this project, it would reduce the frequency <br /> and severity because the low-lying area would have an outlet so groundwater elevations should <br /> remain lower. <br /> Councilmember Johns asked whether Mr. Miske has drain pipe around his house and has <br /> waterproofed the basement. <br /> Mr. Miske responded he has not waterproofed. He cannot get under the house to water proof, <br /> and the water is coming up from the ground. He said he has three sump pumps. <br /> Councilmember Johns questioned where the outlet would be. <br /> Civil Engineer IV Linton replied it would stop at the edge of the wetland. <br /> Councilmember Johns confirmed there are four or five homes involved. She asked if a special <br /> assessment would include those homes. <br /> City Engineer Westby answered the benefit to the properties would have to be proven. <br /> Councilmember Johns noted the special assessments have to have criteria like the road <br /> assessments do. If the properties were assessed $90,000 each, the Miske's could be a total loss. <br /> Public Works Committee/June 21, 2016 <br /> Page 3 of 9 <br />