HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 02-08-2005 SpecialAdopted Minutes
Special Council Meeting
February 8, 2005
Mayor Johnson called a Special Meeting of the Plymouth City Council to order at 5:30
p.m. in the Council Chambers, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard, on February 8, 2005.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Johnson, Councilmembers Willis, Hewitt, Slavik, Bildsoe
arrived at 6:10 p.m.), Stein, and Black.
ABSENT: None.
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Ahrens, Community Development Director Hurlburt,
City Engineer Quanbeck, Finance Director Hahn, Financial Analyst Kohn, Park and
Recreation Director Blank, Public Works Superintendent Vetsch, Street Supervisor
Newberger, and City Clerk Paulson.
Draft Pond Maintenance Implementation
Community Development Director Hurlburt presented the proposed Pond Maintenance
Policy. She explained this policy would provide guidance on the City's responsibility for
maintaining the ponds, wetlands, and drainageways that are part of the public drainage
system as well as standards for maintaining the different types of ponds that are part of
the system. The policy explains how the program.would be funded, how an inventory
would be used to establish maintenance priorities, the procedure for addressing existing
pond maintenance agreements, and the principles for communicating with citizens and
addressing concerns they have about pond maintenance projects. She stated that on
August 9, 2004, the Council accepted the report of the Surface Water Task Force. The
Council also adopted the 2005 rate increase for the surface water utility fee recommended
in the report.
She stated the policy states that the City would be responsible for maintaining the
drainage systems in the City that consist of naturally -occurring ponds and wetlands,
stormwater holding ponds, and water quality ponds. She explained there would be the
need for easements and limitations on what the City would be responsible for. Regarding
funding/budgeting, as part of the budget process, the Council would determine the
funding available as well as what projects would be undertaken. In order to determine
the priority of projects, staff would complete a pond maintenance inventory. She stressed
that top priority would be given to projects needed to prevent or correct flooding
problems threatening structures on public or private property. She noted that some of the
evaluation factors include condition of inlets and outlets, obstructions, overland flows,
street flooding, flooding yards outside of easements, receiving water from other basins
with maintenance issues, distance from nearest high-quality receiving water (lake or
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Special Meeting of February 8, 2005
Page 2 of 5
wetland). For water quality ponds, additional factors would include size, percentage of
volume reduced by sediment, and treatment deficiency priority area.
She stated the policy outlines a procedure for addressing pond maintenance agreements,
which would involve owners petitioning the City to dissolve the agreements.
She noted there is a part in the policy that addresses communications and citizen
involvement process. A 30 -day written notice would be, provided to property owners,
regarding how the City addresses landscaping and other improvements within drainage
easements, as well as investigation of complaints.
Councilmember Hewitt asked if the City requires drainage easements for new
construction. Community Development Director Hurlburt replied yes.
Councilmember Hewitt asked when staff is inventorying the ponds, would the buffer
areas be reviewed, as in some cases, the buffers are mowed down. Community
Development Director Hurlburt replied those areas would be reviewed, but she noted that
buffers are required for wetlands, not ponds. She stated that articles would be appearing
in the City's Environmental Extra, which is published three times per year.
Councilmember Hewitt asked if staff had considered completing the pond inventory prior
to the adoption of this policy. Community Development Director Hurlburt replied that
detailed pond inventory would occur in practically all of 2005. She stated that it
wouldn't be necessary to have the inventory in order to adopt the policy.
Councilmember Slavik stated the reason why she was suggesting the inventory first was
that perhaps it would assist in creating a better policy. Community Development
Director Hurlburt stated that if the inventory were completed first, perhaps that would be
an evaluation factor of the policy. She stated that after a good majority of the inventory
is completed this year, there would be a recommendation for funding projects in 2006
and any immediate projects that should be completed in 2005.
Councilmember Slavik stated that she would feel more comfortable with having the
inventory completed first before the policy is adopted in case there would be any
additional information to incorporate in the policy.
Councilmember Slavik asked what would occur if the design standards for ponds in new
developments don't meet the requirements of the City. Community Development
Director Hurlburt replied that with any new development, before the developer could turn
over the maintenance of that facility to the City, it would need to meet the design
standards.
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Special Meeting of February 8, 2005
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Councilmember Slavik asked if it would be necessary to add language under the
funding/budgeting area that perhaps a future Council could decide not to fund the
program. Community Development Director Hurlburt replied that it wouldn't change the
policy, but it would change the funding and the number of projects that the City would be
allowed to do.
Councilmember Stein asked about the petition process, and how that would be figured in
if a pond is over 50% full and is recommended for maintenance. Community
Development Director Hurlburt replied the City would need to dissolve the agreement if
petitioned, but that doesn't mean the pond would be maintained immediately. She stated
the City wouldn't initiate dissolving an agreement unless it was determined a public
hazard.
Councilmember Black stated there is a need to manage expectations of neighborhoods if,
the City would be assuming the pond maintenance, since it isn't automatic that the City
would be maintaining the pond immediately if that would be the case. Therefore, there
needs to be an educational component.
Councilmember Black suggested that there be a section in the policy regarding TMDL
total maximum daily loads), impaired water, and other Federal and State mandates that
the City would be subject to.
Councilmember Willis asked if the older water quality ponds that were constructed prior
to the last 15 years, are subject to the same standards, and if the City is required to
assume the maintenance. Community Development Director Hurlburt replied the water
quality ponds are subject to maintenance agreements, and the majority of them have the
provision that if a policy is adopted for maintenance of ponds, the neighborhoods could
petition the City for maintenance of those ponds.
Councilmember Willis asked with respect to the inventory, does the City have the
easements that are necessary. Community Development Director Hurlburt replied that
staff is confident that the manmade ponds have drainage easements; however, there could
be older areas that don't have them. She stated part of the inventory consists of
determining if there are the necessary easements to maintain the structures.
Councilmember Willis asked if this policy would address any habitable structures that
have been constructed in the flood area. Community Development Director Hurlburt
replied that this policy wouldn't address that, and that would be more defined as a
flooding event rather than part of the inventory.
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Special Meeting of February 8, 2005
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Councilmember Willis stated those structures should be inventoried whether placed
purposefully or accidentally.
Councilmember Willis asked about the funding to undertake these activities. Community
Development Director Hurlburt stated 20% of the water resources fiend would be
allocated to get the program started, and it would be the first of a five-year program.
Councilmember Willis asked if additional staff would be hired. Community
Development Director Hurlburt replied no. City Manager Ahrens added for the first four
to five years, it would be more prudent contracting the work.
Mayor Johnson suggested that for new developments, staff provides information to
developers on best practices for the water quality ponds even though the City would be
assuming the maintenance of the ponds.
Councilmember Hewitt stated the material removed from the ponds would be placed on
City property west of I-494, and she asked if the City would be budgeting for the hauling
of the material if in the future there would be a park developed on that property. Park
and Recreation Director Blank replied the material would assist in grading the site to park
standards, but there are no plans to build on that site for the next five years. He stated the
site would be covered as it's built according to grade.
Councilmember Hewitt asked where the material would be hauled after that site is filled.
Community Development Director Hurlburt replied a location would need to be
determined. Councilmember Black added that the City does test the material so it is
higher quality.
Jerry Unger, 10607 57t" Place North, agreed with Councilmember Black that future
Federal and State mandates should be referenced in the policy as well as requiring
developers. to meet City standards for the water retention ponds before they are turned
over to the City. He suggested that under conditions of the policy, the City includes a
statement that every effort would be made to sustain wildlife during pond maintenance.
Terrie Christian, 9910 South Shore Drive, voiced her support for the pond maintenance
program. She requested that the Council consider expansion of the surface water fee for
the dredging of certain parts of Medicine Lake in addition to the pond maintenance
activities.
Councilmember Black stated that the dredging was determined a lower priority than
constructing the pond at Plymouth Creek and the other ponds on the east side of the lake.
She stated that this is a matter of patience and priorities.
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Special Meeting of February 8, 2005
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Keith Pizalla, 2700 Pineview Lane, asked if the City has looked at using suction
equipment to clean out the ponds. City Engineer Quanbeck replied the City has used that
procedure for other projects.
Mr. Pizalla voiced his concern on what he perceives as a lack of silt fences for new
developments. Mayor Johnson suggested that he discuss specific projects with her and
Community Development Director after the meeting.
Ken Campbell, 16820 9th Avenue North; on behalf of Gleason Lake Association, asked if
every pond is the City is linked to a watershed district and if the watershed districts
would assume some maintenance rather than a "hodgepodge" of cleaning. Mayor
Johnson replied that the surface water plan for the City addresses all four watersheds.
When the Council prioritizes the spending, that would determine which ponds would be
undertaken. Mr. Campbell requested that Gleason Lake be moved up on the priority list
for improvements.
Councilmember Black provided suggested language changes to the policy. Community
Development Director Hurlburt stated that staff would incorporate that language as well
as other comments received this evening in the proposed policy for the March 8 Council
meeting.
Adiournment
Mayor Johnson declared the meeting adjourned 7:00 p.m.
andra R. Paulson, City Clerk