Minutes - Public Works Committee - 02/20/2001

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City Engineer Jankowski stated that a letter was received from Ellen Stanley requesting consideration of a project to bring sanitary sewer, water and storm sewer to Pondvale 2''a subdivision. The proposal to provide an outlet to protected wetland #729W for the presently undeveloped area north of Pondvale by installing storm sewer down Helium Street N.W. and 150th Lane N.W. is a feasible alternative to placing it through the Pehlke property. A sketch of both storm sewer route alternatives is attached. Mr. Jankowski estimated that the cost to extend an outlet through the Pehlke property would be $10,000, while the cost of extending this outlet down Helium Street N.W. and 150th Lane N.W. would be $18,000. The cost associated with the Helium Street/150th Lane alternative does not include restoration, which Mrs. Stanley correctly points out would be unchanged from the restoration required to install the water and sewer utilities. When comparing these two alternatives, consideration should also be given to the advantage of having the storm sewer within the City's right-of-way under the Helium Street/150th Lane alternative. The issue that Mrs. Stanley presents is whether the City wishes to initiate a sewer and water extension to the Pondvale neighborhood at this time. Ms. Stanley is correct in her understanding that a feasibility study on such a project could be initiated with a 4/5 vote of City Council. The other method provided by City ordinance, for such a feasibility study, would be a petition signed by 35% of the benefited property owners. A feasibility study was prepared in March 1993 for bringing sewer and water to this subdivision. However that feasibility study would require significant revisions, as it included a portion of Ramsey Meadows and didn't include as much storm sewer as is now suggested. Staff was unaware of the state funding Ms. Stanley referenced in her letter. Ellen Stanley stated that she had a conversation with Kathy Tinglestad about how she has been waiting for City sewer and water to be brought to property since 1990. Ms. Tinglestad indicated that there may be financing available to the City which would allow the project to go forward and still let neighbors opt out of the project, if they so desire, as required by the City Charter. The funds would come from LCMR and the City would have to apply for those funds beginning in the year 2002. Councilmember Anderson replied that LCMR funds are primarily used for parks and there is a lot of competition for those funds. Ms. Stanley explained that she purchased pre-platted property in 1989 and expected that City sewer and water would be available to her soon after. She stated that she is not trying to get around paying her portion of the cost, she is trying to protect the people who don't want to connect to sewer and water at this time. Currently City sewer and water is ½ block from her property. Councilmember Anderson stated that she thought it was an interesting idea, but did not think the City would have the State doing their "bank rolling". Ms. Stanley replied that they would only be asking the State to cover the interest until the time the other property owners would choose to connect to the services. Public Works Committee/February 20, 2001 Page 10 of 12