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Mr. Miske said it is not new. He just paid $20,000 out of pocket to fix his basement, and he can <br />see that could happen again. He said he would like to see something be done so he doesn't have <br />to do this again. <br />City Engineer Westby noted the County ditch has the capacity to accept water from this low <br />lying area based on constructing option #4. This shouldn't be an issue with the County ditch. <br />Chairperson Riley questioned whether this project would really lower the water table. <br />City Engineer Westby explained water tables do not stay the same. The fact that this is a low- <br />lying area means it will naturally collect more water. It is impossible to know whether this <br />project would lower the water table. However, knowing that 99% of the time, the basement is <br />dry, it means there is a good chance this would be of help. <br />Civil Engineer IV Linton explained as the water gets above normal, it would drain. He noticed <br />at a site visit that the water was almost up to the street. He thought the sump pump was running <br />constantly, and it was pumping into the backyard. The wetland is right there, so the water was <br />just cycling. An outlet would help to carry the water away. If there is ground water getting into a <br />system, and into a basement, the outlet would provide a way for it to not be cycled back in. <br />Councilmember Johns noticed that reducing frequency and severity was mentioned in the <br />feasibility report. She asked if this will more or less cap the water so it doesn't go over the level <br />that would begin flooding. <br />City Engineer Westby said there has been more rain in a shorter period of time in recent years. <br />This increases the chance of flooding. However, with this project, it would reduce the frequency <br />and severity because the low-lying area would have an outlet so groundwater elevations should <br />remain lower. <br />Councilmember Johns asked whether Mr. Miske has drain pipe around his house and has <br />waterproofed the basement. <br />Mr. Miske responded he has not waterproofed. He cannot get under the house to water proof, <br />and the water is coming up from the ground. He said he has three sump pumps. <br />Councilmember Johns questioned where the outlet would be. <br />Civil Engineer IV Linton replied it would stop at the edge of the wetland. <br />Councilmember Johns confirmed there are four or five homes involved. She asked if a special <br />assessment would include those homes. <br />City Engineer Westby answered the benefit to the properties would have to be proven. <br />Councilmember Johns noted the special assessments have to have criteria like the road <br />assessments do. If the properties were assessed $90,000 each, the Miske's could be a total loss. <br />Public Works Committee / June 21, 2016 <br />Page 3 of 9 <br />