Agenda - Council - 08/12/2024 - Laserfiche WebLink

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that, but did not require it. He asked how the City is allowed to damage properties, noting that if a resident were to cause that damage to a neighbor, they would be required to mitigate it by code. He commented that his backyard is inundated when it had been dry for the last 6 years. He stated that the portion of his backyard that is wet is not within floodplain or even an easement. He stated that if he brings fill in to his property, that would cause more damage to his neighbors' properties. He then referenced the trail on the east side of the wetland which, according to Councilmember Specht last year, the trail is being raised to prevent the trail from flooding due to raising the water elevation in wetland 114P. He asked why residents are being told that the water level is due to rain when the trail project was completed in order to mitigate for raising water levels with a new outlet structure. His final request was for the City to revisit the decision to raise the outlet structure as it has negatively impacted his private property. He stated that it seems that the City listened to people downstream that requested higher water levels and not those that did not want it. He requested that the City make changes to the outlet to lower the water level in the wetland, or provide residents with funds to mitigate and alleviate what this has created. If funds are being used to raise a trail due to the negative impacts of raising the outlet, it is only logical that funds should be available to assist negatively impacted property owners as well. City Engineer/Public Works Director Westby stated that staff will work to provide the requested documentation but it will take a little time. Ali Bollman, 5731 145th Court NW, commented that she now has over half of her yard under water with up to two feet of standing water, which includes vegetation and trees. She stated that she just purchased their home in September and the property value was assessed based on the land that was there. She stated that she was also denied flood insurance because of the historical data provided by FEMA. She stated that the water is currently about 15 feet from her home and is concerned with the flooding that is happening. She stated that it seems that the project was completed without survey and input from the residents that are directly affected. She stated that she also spoke with Ms. Wozney who stated that precipitation levels are only a few inches above average so if we have a typical winter she would have concerns with future water levels. She felt that not all aspects were considered when completing this project and therefore the increased water level is a result of negligence of the City. She did not believe that there should be standing water in her yard. Mr. Bollman commented that ducks and geese require dry land to nest and with the current elevation there is no dry area to nest. Mr. McBroom commented that it has forced the ducks and geese into yards. Ms. Bollman asked if sandbags could be provided to prevent flooding should the rain continue at its current levels. Mr. McBroom recognized that the water level change was made last year and asked if it naturally took this long to fill. City Engineer/Public Works Director Westby commented that there have been three years of drought conditions prior to this year, so there was very little water to start with. He commented that the heavy rains began in March of this year. Public Works Committee / June 18, 2024 Page 4 of 8