Minutes - Council Work Session - 05/11/2021

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Deputy City Administrator Gladhill confirmed that he would believe the cost to be about the same regardless of the easement issue. He stated that if additional fill were proposed for the floodplain, the cost would be much higher. Mayor Kuzma commented that his concern is that this moved so far along and believed there should have been a better handle on it. He stated that he does support attempting to solve the issue for the corridor. He suggested retaining $1,000 and refunding $500. Deputy City Administrator Gladhill provided additional details on the challenges in this area of the development and how the fee title occurred. Councilmember Heineman commented that this is a unique situation that has been a learning experience for the City. He stated that he supports moving on and refunding the money to the Seamans. Councilmember Musgrove asked if the Seamans paid a fine for not pulling a permit. Deputy City Administrator Gladhill commented that fines were not charged to the property. Councilmember Musgrove asked staff to follow up on that, as she believes that $250 was paid. Jodell Seaman confirmed that they paid $250 following the letter from the City. Councilmember Musgrove commented that while the permit was not pulled, the fine was paid once it was brought to the attention of the property owner. She stated that this improvement protects the wetland. She commented that there are grass clippings and other activities occurring within the easement area that is not helping the wetland. She believed that the City needs to develop a different approach to manage this area and the residents should not be faulted for what may not have been known. Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood stated that he is not aware of grass clippings being dumped into the easement but that would not surprise him as there are grass clippings being dumped along the Mississippi. He agreed that public education of the easement, what is allowed and how it can be improved could be a part of this next phase. Deputy City Administrator Gladhill stated that staff would like direction from the Council as to a proactive educational campaign and whether that would be desired. He thanked Council for the additional staff member devoted to code enforcement which has allowed staff to better follow up on those cases. He stated that for the past two years staff has not has sufficient resources to adequately address code enforcement. He stated that it seems there is not clear direction on whether the Council supports proactive code enforcement and education. Councilmember Musgrove commented that she would support the educational component for the properties along this easement corridor. City Council Work Session / May 11, 2021 Page 7 of 10