Agenda - Council - 08/10/2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Case/42 Public Works Campus Layout and Tour Background: Public Works Director Kapler noted the Commit-tee was given a tour of the Public Works Campus at the beginning of the meeting. He asked if the Committee has any questions. Chairperson Zimmerman indicated he would suggest the City try to obtain the property all the way out to Limonite Street, as it will be needed quickly. Further Discussion: Assistant Public Works Director Olson noted staff is cramped in the current Public Works building with the current staff, and over the next ten years the projection is for an additional Public Works employee every year due to the g-rowth of the City. There is an issue of how to have all the employees in the building zmd still hold a useful management meeting in the morning. One of the thoughts is that there will eventually be need for a different building, however, that will be years down the road. The current need would be for a temporary classroom type facility that would provide them with more usable space. Public Works Director Kapler explained the structure would be Placed in the parking lot and would be strictly an administrative area. One option would be a trailer, and another option would be a garage type of building designed so it could be placed in another location and used as a garage in the future. The consensus of the Committee was to have staff proceed in gathering information regarding a trailer facility to be used as a temporary structure to provide more space for the Public Works staff. Motion to recommend that the city Council approve the City taking control of the current property at the Public Works Campus out to Limonite Street. Action: Ratify the recommendation of the Public Works Committee. -260- Case #3 Consider Policy on Retaining Walls Background: City Engineer Jankowski indicated it has been recently brought to the City's attention that several homes within the Highland at River Park subdivision have constructed retaining walls within the drainage and utility easement placed over an area subject to ponding. This presents. the possibility that the City may become involved in complaints or litigation in the event that a high water event causes damage to the wall. However more significantly, the construction of the retaining wall usually includes filling behind the wall which results in a reduction in capacity 'of the pond volume to hold the design stmrn event. At the present time no permits are required for the construction of a retaining wall unless it exceeds four feet in height..Additionally, even retaining walls =re'eater than four feet in height can be constructed without a permit if they are constructed in terraced lifts with each individual lift being less than four feet. City Engineer Jankowski advised the City should consider some measures to protect the capacity of the storm water ponds that have been constructed to protect structures from flooding. It is suggested that the City adopt a policy which specifically prohibits the construction of retaining walls witt-fin drainage and utility easements.