Minutes - Public Works Committee - 05/20/2003

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5) Consider Alternative Outlets from Regional Pond in Business Park 95 City Engineer Jankowski stated that the area south of CR 116, east of CR 57, and north of the railroad tracks was developed as an industrial area beginning in 1995 and has becomes known as Business Park 95 and its subsequent additions. Although there are a number of drainage areas within the Park, the largest is located at the extreme southeast comer next to the City of Anoka. Although there is significant ponding capacity, there presently is no positive outlet from this watershed. With the addition of Mississippi Sub District No. 1 flowing to this regional pond, an opportunity was created to establish a positive outlet for this system, by installing 476 of 24 inch pipe to connect this ponding system to the 42 inch storm sewer on the west side at Sunfish Lake Boulevard. Recently it was suggested that an overflow to the City of Anoka's storm water system in their Business Enterprise Park might be a more economical alternative. The Business Enterprise Park has a large outfall pipe to the Mississippi River. Staff has prepared cost estimates for both these alternatives. The attached evaluations are limited to only the costs associated with making the physical connection for each overflow alternative. At this point there has been no formal discussions between Ramsey and Anoka, however, the City of Anoka does have past practice of charging for the right to discharge into their storm sewer system. The results of this analysis show the cost of discharging into Anoka's system to be $54,409 while the cost of discharging into the Sunfish Lake storm sewer is $48,320. It is also important to note that the Mississippi Sub Drainage District No. 1 has been credited $102,500 for this overflow. Staff recommended that the storm sewer overflow connection to Sunfish Lake Boulevard continue to be preserved. Councilmember Zimmerman stated that the City should work within their own boundaries. He noted that last year there was a significant amount of rain and the pond in Business Park 95 did not get real high. City Engineer Jankowski replied that staff did do some research and if the Business Park 95 pond were to flood over it would drain into the storm sewer system. Councilmember Elvig stated that he made the suggestion that the City research the feasibility of making the connection to Anoka because that was initially the plan until the cost became quite substantial. He hoped that possibly Anoka would negotiate the issue again, but based on the costs presented it did not seem feasible. City Engineer Jankowski noted that the largest cost associated with the Anoka connection is the restoration of the road. Councilmember Cook inquired if the cost estimates take into consideration the cost of acquiring easement and that in order to proceed with option b the City will have to condemn property on seven parcels. Principal City Engineer Olson replied no, but noted that the cost estimates also do not include the benefit that is being provided to the property owners. He explained that the City has recently had discussions with the owner of Plants n Things who is looking at upgrading their business. Public Works Committee/May 20, 2003 Page 6 of 20