Minutes - Public Works Committee - 07/16/2002

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across the park to drain the new area, which was supposed to contain itself and drain to the fiver. The storm sewer development included a huge culvert for a while that was unrestrained and literally feet away from where children play. It was 12 feet by 12 feet, and 6 feet deep and was unsecured with no consideration for the safety of their children. He and his wife went to Brian' Olson's office to discuss the drainage plan and Mr. Olson had said there was some talk about the development to the west of Highway 47. He said they would need to dump into one wetland, hopscotch to another wetland, run some piping towards their area, and pick up to go to the fiver. Olson had said they were only talking about that and he would call them; they have not heard from him. Mr. Barrett stated he is mad this has gone as far as it has and he was not told. Mr. Barrett stated they saw people doing surveys and had no idea what was' going on. Last he heard this was only in the discussion phase. He stated he does not want culverts d6mping into his backyard, the City does not have an easement, and he will not allow it. The Council'and members of this board, who are members of the Council, are supposed to be looking out for the interest of the people. The residents in his area have been paying taxes, and the Council is not looking out for the interest of the citizens that are akeady here. Mr. Barrett stated he has a tow area that drains not just down 155th Lane, but is also a collecting area for Barium and the area to the east. Olson had said this overflow they put in the lowlands north of him and the City park is supposedly six feet lower than the lowest spot on his property, however, that is based on a 1994 aerial photo. That is eight years old and things have changed, a feasibility study is in order. The low area of his property drains those streets. He expressed concern that they have not talked about sewer or water or storm sewer on Barium Street, yet 155th Lane and Barium is a low area. His neighbors across the street have an area in their back yard that has six inches to one foot of water every time it rains since they built the development to the east. If they fill their back yard the water will go into his basement. There is no concern from the City, they are doing things and not caring about the citizen that live there. The Council is only interested in the development and they are on a time line to those that are not paying taxes. Brian had told him when he went to him last summer that more than 50 percent of the people would have to want sewer and water to get it. They then plotted out that between $15,000 and $20,000 would roughly be the cost to him. There was nothing said about $40,000. His wife and he seriously considered putting their property up for sale; they do not want to spend $40,000 for water and others do not either. Mr. Barrett stated he respects Mr. Olson and appreciates the input he has given, but he .has to draw the line where some of these things are being rifled through. Last year they rifled through the part about the gate and he did not agree then. Councilmembers Hendriksen and Zimmerman had said they would not vote against it, there were no nays or ayes but the Mayor said it passed. If a person does not cast a vote that is a no vote, yet the amendment got passed. He thanked the Council for their time and said these issues have to come up. He is sorry if they breached their time for construction, but they have to look out for the interests of the citizens. Chairperson Zimmerman stated he never voted for any plat there, they were passed 3-2 numerous times whether they were preliminary or final plats. John Hatch stated he lives on the comer of 155th Lane and Barium Street and moved into Ramsey in 1975 and has lived here since 1978. What Mr. Barrett said about the new developments taking precedence over the existing neighborhoods seems to hold true. He hates to see City sewer and water shoved down their throats, that is why they moved there. Because the developer now Public Works Committee/July 16, 2002 Page 19 of 28