Agenda - Council - 03/28/2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Vice Chair Johnson stated that they need to be careful and supportive of Staff. He indicated that he knows their salary does not rise and fall with approval or denial, noting that this is one of the best staff he has ever worked with in a city. He noted that reasonable people will differ on a subject. Joan Labelle, 17735 Erkium Street, indicated that at the last meeting they talked about digging 16 wells, and how that would affect the water table. Mike McDowell, City Engineering Department, indicated that they have designed many wells in close proximity to each other. He stated it will draw on the wells a little, but they have an expert well digger that will work on this, and it is not a big concern. City Engineer Jankowski advised that a single-family home will draw so much water per day. He stated if you have 16 homes drawing from one well or sixteen individual wells, it will still draw the same amount. He added that if you had 16 wells spread across the 40 acres it would be the same draw. Commissioner Brauer asked if the City has anything on the books as far as how deep the wells need to go. City Engineer Jankowski stated that the City does not have any standards for well construction; it is determined by the Minnesota Public Health Department. Mr. Adriaens stated that his mother-in-law lives in South Dakota. He indicated that they had an expert there looking at a well for the school who said it would not affect the other wells, but they all dried up. He stated they keep hearing there is nothing the City can do, and asked if that meant that because they have it wrong they have to keep going. He indicated they need to step back and look at this further. He stated that none of the residents want this to happen. Vice Chair Johnson stated that he does not think that anyone knows how the Planning Commission will vote. Fred Neeblung, 17675 Argon Street, clarified that they were saying that sewer and water is not planned yet for this area. He asked if any study has even been done so they know it will work for this development when it comes in. He stated that if it will take major excavation to put it in later they are not saving anything. City Engineer Jankowski advised that when the streets are constructed, the sewer and water mains will be put in so when services are available the streets do not have to be dug up. He indicated they would just disconnect from the common septic system and hook up to the City sewer and water. He stated there is at least a conceptual plan for the surrounding are~/from this parcel. He added that the City has a master sewer plan that shows the general trunk areas, but he does not know exactly how it will come up to that area. He stated that generally a water main can follow the existing right-of-way. -290-