Minutes - Council - 04/12/2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Case #9: Consider Selection of NE Trunk Sanitary Sewer Alternative Assistant Public Works Director Olson reviewed that the City has been considering four altcrnalive routes for thc extension of sanitary sewer service to an area known as the Northeast m'ca~ which has petitioned for this service. Following review of public comment and of the ~dvantagcs and disadvantages of each alternative, the City Council concurred with staff recommendation at a work session held on March 15, 2005 that Option No. 1 be selected as the alignment to be considered in conjunction with this sewer extension request. During this work session thc consensus of the Council in continuing the public involvement component of this process was to direct staff to prepare two letters. One letter would be distributed to all those that attended the February open house informing them that the preferred alignment, Option No. 1, has been selected. The other letter would be sent those property owners affected by this selected alignment informing them that this route has been chosen and informing them of a follow up infi)rmational meeting. Councihnember Strommen requested a review of the advantages of this option and inquired about thc impact to the wetlands and the DNR permitting, which were questions raised during the ( )pen l:orum. Assistant Public Works Director Olson reviewed the advantages of this alignment option and explained thc City first needs to apply for a license with the DNR. The City has acquired licenses Jn the past that go through low areas. The existing trunk line goes behind the school in thc wetland, which was restored to its existing condition. It takes some time for the vegetation to come back, but it does eventually. Mayor Gamcc asked how long it took for the wetland on Alpine Drive to come back. Public Works Director Kapler replied the grasses started almost immediately. The digging was done in the winter and as things were greening up in the spring the same plants were starting to come back. I';riek Zaetsch 6521 154th Lane NW asked if the Blanding Turtles have been considered, as they hibernate in the winter and are a threatened species. AsMstant Public Works Director Olson replied the Blandings Turtles were the first things looked at. The dewatering will be done before the nesting begins and will continue beyond the hatching period in the spring. He explained certain precautions are a requirement as part of the license through the DNR, including equipment being washed off before entering the wetland. Mr. Zactsch questioned if there will be wetland replacement and how it would be replaced. Assistant Public Works Director Olson replied that there will be some mitigation necessary to access thc manholes placed within the wetland. Any mitigation will be done as part of a WMO permit and will follow all of the federal rules and regulations relating to wetlands. City Council/April 12, 2005 Page 19 of 35