Minutes - Public Works Committee - 11/16/1999

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Case #2: Introduce Storm Water Utility Ordinance Director of Public Works Kapler stated that at the Council Work Session held in September, 1999, a stromwater utility ordinance was presented for consideration. The basic concept of the creation of a storm water utility is that the charges should be related to the amount of mn-off a particular parcel of land produces. The ordinance presented was based on a model ordinance used in the cities of Champlin, Brooklyn Park, and Brooklyn Center. The ordinance utilized various land use classifications as the basis for determining the amount of mn-off relative to a single-family residential parcel. Alternatively, Staff presented another model ordinance (from the City of Woodbury), which was based upon a calculation of the percentage of impervious area of any non-single-family residential lot. The Council indicated a preference for the latter model and instructed Staff to re-draft the proposed ordinance accordingly. Motion by Councilmember Hendriksen, seconded by Chairperson Zimmerman, to recommend City Council introduce and adopt the ordinance adding Section 4.80 entitled "Storm Drainage Utility" to the Ramsey City Code. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Zimmerman, and Councilmember Hendriksen. Voting No: None. Case #3: Consider Additional Controls on Residential Home Building City Engineer Jankowski stated that two common problems that occur when constmcting new homes include building the structures and grading the yards to different elevations than specified on the approved development plan. He explained that the City may wish to consider implementing additional development requirements to avoid these problems. The City of Andover has instituted a requirement for a Certificate of Grading and Placement of Comer Irons, making a registered land surveyor responsible for attesting that the grading has been completed consistent with the approved grading plan. The City of Andover does not issue a Certificate of Occupancy until this certificate is received during the non-winter months. During November through April, an escrow sufficient to cover the cost of grading and the survey is accepted in lieu of this certificate. The City of Andover handles the certification of the structure elevation in a slightly different manner. Rather than require a registered surveyor to determine and certify the house elevation, the Building Department requires the builder to have a level set up at the time of the foundation inspection so that the inspector can readily verify the relative elevation between a benchmark identified on the Certificate of Survey and the poured foundation. This allows a relatively inexpensive check on the footing elevation. A similar check by a registered surveyor might be expected to cost in the neighborhood of $200, but would also allow a check of the property line setbacks as well. The check by the building inspector would require a minimal amount of inspection time, assuming everything is properly prepared when he arrives. Councilmember Zimmerman inquired who would be responsible if the requirements were added in the case of Apple Ridge. Public Works Committee/November 16, 1999 Page 5 of 11