Agenda - Council - 08/09/2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

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September 2, 2004 5520 144th Court Page 2 of 3 The problem ofponding water on lot 23 became acute this summer 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 corner of their lot, allowing the water to drain into the depression around the base of the trees. The Pugh's contacted Paul Ku. jawa, a tree specialist, to look at the oak tree in their yard. City staff spoke with Mr. Ku.~awa regarding the'condition of the tree, it is his opinion that the tree has more than 20% damage from oak wil~ 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. Drainiile is only effective in Sandy soils during the summer. II 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 con'anon lot comer was supposed to be the high point in the drainage swale and significant grading would be required to bring water to a new storn~ sewer connection. Construction ora 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 wail. 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 walls 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 fi.om 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 lower/ng the grade around the base of the retaining wall. Additional drainage and utility easement should be dedicated over this new swale. 4. Fences, planters, sod, irrigation systems and other surface improvements must be restored to existing condition. Thc grades around the saved trees should have been addressed prior tO selling any of these lots. The r~'ertificate of ~ading filed for lot 23 did not match' the approved gading plan.