Minutes - Public Works Committee - 07/19/2005

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Fill the hole and reestablish the drainage swale on the common lot line between Lot 24 and Lots 6, 7 & 8. The drainage and utility easement is 20 feet wide. This would require removal of the existing fences, lowering the grade and re-establishing the sod. Work would also be required along the line between Lots 23 and 24. This would establish the drainage patterns per the approved grading plan in the drainage and utility easements. Work would be required outside the drainage and utility easements to blend the new grades into existing grades and remove the potential ponding areas. The fences would be replaced; the back yards will now have swales. This would be a City administered project. Temporary access easements would be required as the lot line between 23 & 24 is too steep for equipment access. Perform the work listed above as a private project without City involvement. Access arrangements would be required from all of the affected property owners. Assistant Public Works Director Olson advised his recommendation would be that the City provide dirt for the Pughs to regrade their yard. Councilmember Cook questioned why this issue is the City's problem, rather than the developer's problem. Assistant Public Works Director Olson replied the Certificate of Grading did not conform to the grading plan, which was done in order to save the trees. He explained the property owner on the west of the Pughs installed drain tile to take care of their own issues, but the City will not maintain that drain tile in the future. The Pughs came in with a bill for $600 to $700, and staffthought they were happy until this spring. He indicated there is not any standing water in the lawn except in the early spring. Councilmember Cook stated the Council knew there would be some tradeoffs with the tree preservation ordinance, and he does not know that in all of these circumstances that the City can take the blame. He suggested the City provide the dirt for the Pughs. Chairperson Elvig inquired about the fencing on the backside of the adjacent properties. Civil Engineer II Linton replied a visual inspection would indicate that lots 6, 7 and 8 filled in what swale was there to have level yards to the fences. Assistant Public Works Director Olson indicated the Pughs could not make it today. Staff will inform the Pughs of the recommendation of the Committee tonight and inform them it will come before the Council for ratification. If the Pughs are not happy with the recommendation it will need to be discussed again. Public Works Committee / July 19, 2005 Page 3 of 11