Laserfiche WebLink
<br />Case #1: <br /> <br />Discuss Lined Pond Maintenance Responsibilities <br /> <br />City Engineer Jankowski explained the utilization of storm water ponds has evolved into a basic <br />element of subdivision design. Many of the storm water ponds constructed within the City are <br />constmcted below the water table making them normally wet ponds which provides an aesthetic <br />benefit to the subdivision. For those ponds which cannot be constmcted into the water table there <br />is an increasing desire to achieve the aesthetic function of open surface water by installing and <br />impermeable lining for ponds which would otherwise be dryas a result of percolation through <br />the sandy soils. Mr. Jankowski stated presently there are four lined ponds within the City which <br />include the following: Juniper Woods; Brandseth; Highlands at River Park; and Ramsey Town <br />Center 3rd Addition. Within commercial zones such as the RTC 3rd Addition, the development <br />agreements place all maintenance responsibilities for these ponds with the property owner. In <br />residential subdivisions, paliicularly in older developments, there is no clear defined <br />responsibility for the repair to a liner should it become necessary. The purpose of this case is to <br />establish the City's responsibility for the maintenance for lined ponds and to establish a policy <br />for addressing petitions for repair to such ponds. <br /> <br />City Engineer Jankowski advised lined ponds may lose the integrity of their liner through <br />improper installation or damage to the liner by activities from property owners or builders. A <br />significant problem associated with the repair of breached liners is the identification of the defect <br />location. In addition, the repairs to the liner are usually costly. It is proposed that the City take an <br />active role during the inspection of the pond liners during their installation. It would also be <br />reasonable to require a surety sufficient to cover the repair of the liner during the period when <br />most constmction activity by builders is occurring. However following this period, it would be <br />staff s recommendation that any repair be undertaken as a public improvement project and <br />special assessed to the benefiting propeliy owner. Mr. Jankowski advised staff recommends that <br />staff be directed to prepare a policy relating to the installation of lined ponds within the City. <br /> <br />Councilmember Olson inquired about the installation of the ponds that are currently in the City. <br /> <br />City Engineer Jankowski indicated the first lined pond that went in was the Juniper Woods pond <br />in about 1991. That pond was constmcted with clay that was imported. The pond had an initial <br />problem meeting the performance requirements and the contractor was asked to come back, the <br />leak was sealed, and it then passed a performance test. The second lined pond was the Brandseth <br />pond in the mid 1990' s. <br /> <br />Chairperson Elvig inquired about the benefit of lined ponds. <br /> <br />City Engineer Jankowski replied aesthetics are the primary reason for pond liners. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dehen questioned the purpose for liners, as the water all eventually goes back <br />into the aquifer. <br /> <br />Public Works Director Olson explained the City has never paid for a pond liner to his <br />understanding. Developers are able to sell their lots for more money if they are on open water. <br />Generally when a liner is put in it will be a little deeper than a wetland to make it look like a <br /> <br />Public Works Committee / May 15, 2007 <br />Page 2 of 11 <br />