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5.01: Provide City Council Recommendation for Gibbon Street and 173rd Avenue <br />Drainage Improvements Feasibility Report <br />City Engineer Westby reviewed the staff report and the Gibbon Street and 173rd Avenue drainage <br />improvement project. He explained this plat is the Deerwood Plat, which is surrounded by <br />wetlands/floodways. It was recorded in 1974. Several properties have experienced wet <br />basements due to groundwater intrusion. <br />City Engineer Westby explained that while the drainage improvement project is feasible and can <br />be constructed in 2017, given the estimated cost of $325,000 and small number of benefiting <br />properties, the project is not cost effective. It should only be constructed if benefiting properties <br />are specially assessed for all or a significant portion of the improvements, or if external funding <br />is available to fund all or a significant portion of the improvements. He stated staff recommends <br />the Public Works Committee recommend the City Council accept the feasibility report but deny <br />approval of a drainage improvement project pending development of a cost effective, equitable <br />funding program. <br />Mr. Frank Miske, 17421 Gibbon Street, noted he first brought this to the Committee's attention <br />in2013. <br />City Engineer Westby explained there are properties on either side of the Miskes on Gibbon <br />Street. For this project, staff would try to provide a positive outlet for the water. For the most <br />part, basements are dry until there is a lot of precipitation or spring snow melt. Then there is <br />nowhere for the water to go and it fills the basins and raises groundwater elevations. Providing a <br />positive outlet should therefore reduce ground water elevations during these times. <br />Councilmember Shryock arrived at 5:45 p.m. <br />Mr. Miske stated he felt this would be the best alternative. He asked what the cost to the <br />homeowners would be with option number 4. He stated he now has to take out flood insurance <br />in addition to homeowner's insurance. Now that the house has flooded and that is on record, he <br />wondered how he would be able to sell his house. His property value will go down. He stated if <br />this project will not be going forward, he would still be assessed a tax that is supposed to <br />maintain the city's ditches. He felt he was not getting his money's worth. If there is a lot of <br />precipitation, it will drain into his basement. He said he is paying for a service he is not <br />benefitting from. <br />City Engineer Westby explained the Stormwater Utility Fee goes to the City to maintain the <br />infrastructure throughout the City for stormwater. He said Mr. Miske's point is well taken and <br />that staff could potentially look at a cost -share approach based on his Stormwater Utility Fund <br />contributions to date. It could set a precedent, but it could be looked into. Staff has been looking <br />for external funding sources to minimize the share of both the homeowner and the City. He <br />asked if the flood insurance was a new issue for Mr. Miske. <br />Public Works Committee / June 21, 2016 <br />Page 2 of 9 <br />