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6. COMMITTEE / STAFF INPUT <br /> 6.01: Receive Updates on Improvement Projects, Studies, and Items of Interest <br /> City Engineer/Public Works Director Westby provided background information on DNR wetland <br /> 114P. He explained that when lots abutting the wetland were platted in the early 1990's, the <br /> properties were developed to protect homes from flooding. He commented that this is currently <br /> the fifth wettest spring on record and that the wetland is obviously full of stormwater. He stated <br /> that the City has been working with the DNR for years to manage the water level in this wetland <br /> and last year came to an agreement on an outlet structure that would help to manage the water <br /> level within the wetland. He recognized that the last few years have been incredibly dry and <br /> therefore the level of the wetland has been low and having water in portions of backyards is most <br /> likely new for some homeowners. He played a video showing how the new outlet control structure <br /> functions, showing that water is freely flowing through the structure and downstream of the <br /> structure. He stated that staff are monitoring things to ensure that the structure does not become <br /> plugged, and no one should have water inside their homes. <br /> Councilmember Olson asked the level of the outlet control. <br /> City Engineer/Public Works Director Westby provided additional details on the outlet structure. <br /> Civil Engineer IV Linton stated that the elevation of the weir was set using information from the <br /> DNR based on the historical ordinary high water (OHW) level prior to development. He stated <br /> that around the time the homes were constructed an outlet pipe was installed without regard for <br /> the historical OHW level, and that pipe was approximately 1.7 feet below the OHW level. He <br /> stated that in the Spring of 2023 the City installed the new outlet structure with a weir elevation of <br /> 857.9. <br /> Jenny Larson, 5790 145th Court NW, asked when the old outlet pipe was installed. She stated that <br /> they built their home in 2004 when the water level was similar to what it is now. She stated that <br /> as the years have progressed the wetland was drier and drier and filled with vegetation. She <br /> believed that there should be accountability as the lower outlet pipe was in place for the past 20 <br /> years. She stated that people have purchased homes with a false sense of what their land is because <br /> the wetland has been dry and now has returned to its original level, leaving yards wet that have not <br /> been wet. <br /> Donna Wippler, 5770 145th Court NW, commented that she lives next door to the Larsons, and the <br /> water is very high. She stated that they have lost a lot of lawn and many of their trees are in <br /> standing water. She commented that there is basically a river going through their backyard. She <br /> recognized that the water is nice but there is also risk to their trees. <br /> Mark Bollman, 14600 Junkite Street NW, stated that he took a stick to the culvert today. He stated <br /> that he has been walking that path for 24 years. He stated that today the water level is at 36 inches, <br /> which means 5 inches are above the threshold. He estimated that the old threshold was about 10 <br /> inches. He stated that the creek having 3 feet of water is way too high. He commented that yards <br /> Public Works Committee/June 18, 2024 <br /> Page 2 of 8 <br />