Agenda - Public Works Committee - 07/19/2005

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September 2, 2004 5520 144th Court Page 2 of 3 The problem of ponding water on lot 23 became acute this sun,ncr when neighbors to the south installed sod and started intensive watering. The problem was partially eased when the Pugh's pulled up their sod in the southwest comer of their tot, allowing the water to drain into the depression around the base of the trees. The Pugh's contacted Paul Kujawa, a tree specialist, to look at the oak tree in their yard. City staff spoke with Mr. Kuj awa regarding the condition of the tree, it is his opinion that the tree has more than 20% damage from oak wilt and will need to be removed. He also indicated that if the oak wilt did not kill the tree then repeated inundation of the root zone would have killed the tree within a couple of years. Removal of the trees will eliminate the need for the low area in lot 24. Filling this low area will add to the drainage problem on the east side of lot 23. Draintile has been suggested as a possible solution. Draintile is only effective in sandy soils during the sununer. It does not work when the ground is frozen. A request to extend storm sewer to the common lot corner from the south was made. This is would be an expensive option since the common lot corner was supposed to be the high point in the drainage swale and sig-nificant grading would be required to bring water to a new storm sewer connection. Construction of a catch basin would conflict with the trees on lot 24 and most likely would require removal of the trees. A request has been made for the City of Ramsey to correct the problem. The city can only work in the drainage and utility easements. Working in the drainage and utility easement would require removal of the tree on the line of lot 23 and the associated retaining wall. The work would also include removing the soil behind the retaining wall within the drainage and utility easement. This would disrupt the adjacent yards also and new retaining wails would need to be constructed. Corrective Measures The following issues need to be addressed in a remediation plan: 1. The trees on lot 24 need to be removed and the elevation raised to provide positive drainage from west to east across lot 24. 2. The grade along the common line between lots 23 and 24 needs to be raised. Grading into the lots will be required to blend the grades and provide positive drainage across all areas of the lots. 3. Positive drainage across lot 23 from east to west needs to be developed. This can be accomplished by lowering the grade around the base of the retaining wall. Additional drainage and utility easement should be dedicated over tkis new swale. 4. Fences, planters, sod, irrigation systems and other surface improvements must be restored to existing condition. The grades around the saved trees should have been addressed prior to selling any of these lots. The certificate of grading filed for lot 23 did not match the approved grading plan. ~0