HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 01-20-2004 SpecialAdopted Minutes
Special Council Meeting
January 20, 2004
Mayor Johnson called a Special Meeting of the Plymouth City Council to order at 6:05
p.m. in the Public Safety Training Room, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard, on January 20,
2004.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Johnson, Councilmembers Hewitt, Slavik, Black, and
Stein.
ABSENT: Councilmember Bildsoe, Neset
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Ahrens, Community Development Director Hurlburt,
Public Works Director Faulkner, Finance Director Hahn, City Engineer Quanbeck, and
Deputy City Clerk Hoffman.
Receive Update on Flood Analysis
Public Works Director Faulkner introduced SEH Engineering Consultant Rocky Keehn,
who headed up the review of flood -damaged sites.
Public Works Director Faulkner summarized the City's work with SEH to study the sites
that experienced flooding in June 2003. He reported that staff met individually with
residents on November 17-18, 2003, to explain what might be done, adding that work
might be scaled back and still provide protection from future flooding. He said reports on
Sites 2 and 8 are still forthcoming because additional alternatives are being considered
for Site 2, while additional analysis is necessary for site 8.
Site 1—Weston Lane
Mr. Keehn reported that a manhole cover in the backyard of 1506 Weston Lane blew off
during the June 2003 flooding, resulting in erosion around the manhole structure. In
addition, an upstream pond overflowed, flooding one basement through the backyard. He
said several possible solutions were studied keeping in mind costs and concerns of
residents. He said the location had a history of backyard flooding, but never to the degree
experienced in June 2003, and an analysis was made to learn whether a previous proposal
might still be a valid solution to prevent flooding. He said the previous proposal
recommended raising the manhole structure, and installing a pump station.
Councilmember Black expressed concern about the effectiveness of the pump station if
there is a power outage. She suggested creation of a dry pond to the west of the affected
area.
Mr. Keehn responded that if there was a power outage there would be enough storage in
the backyard for the local drainage, and a backflow device in the manhole structure to
avoid flooding.
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Special City Council Meeting
Tuesday, January 20, 2004
Page 2 of 8
Ellen Feuling, 1506 Weston Lane, said her home is at the center of the drainage area. She
expressed an interest in installation of the pumping station, but had concerns with power
outages. The benefit and need for a standby generator were discussed.
Motion was made by Councilmember Black, and seconded by Councilmember Slavik, to
direct staff to proceed with plans for this project as recommended, but to give the Council
an opportunity to discuss funding sources before work starts.
Motion was made by Councilmember Hewitt, and seconded by Councilmember Black, to
amend the original motion to include funding for the project with money from the Citv
Surface Water Fees.
Councilmembers discussed funding options to pay for the project. They discussed
whether a 5% increase in the water fee would be appropriate.
A substitute amendment was made by Councilmember Black, seconded by
Councilmember Stein, that staff provide a financial analysis on funding and bring back
the project for approval by the Council at the January 27 meeting. The amendment passed
in a unanimous voice vote.
Project 3—Valley Forge Lane
Mr. Keehn reported that, after meeting with the residents affected by flooding, a
combination of two or more of the following solutions are recommended: expansion of
the run—off storage pond; creation of a larger outlet; construction of an emergency
overflow; or construction of a berm. In discussion with the property owners, it was
determined that the berm, in combination with an emergency overflow, are concepts that
are acceptable.
Mark Wollschlager, 4785 Valley Forge Lane, said the plan seems sound, but he believes
more than one element will need to be undertaken.
Jim Tucktenhagen, 10815 47`h Place N., expressed concern that water might backflow
across the storage pond to his yard.
The City Council directed staff to contact the resident to the north where the emergency
overflow would be constructed and then have further discussions with Messrs.
Wollschlager and Tucktenhagen.
Motion was made by Councilmember Black, seconded by Mayor Johnson. to direct staff
to move forward on the repair plans with subject to funding. The main motion passed in a
unanimous voice vote.
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Special City Council Meeting
Tuesday, January 20, 2004
Page 3 of 8
Site 4E: 11 23 5111 22 0 52"d Avenue
Public Works Director Faulkner reported that four property owners are would be affected
with the proposed swale solution. He said the solution would not completely satisfy all
parties, as there is a concern with silt in the receiving pond, but this did not affect the
flooding at 11235 52 Avenue. He said the Consultant's recommendation is to create an
overflow swale, and to install a side yard drainage intake between the houses, connecting
that to the existing area storm sewer. He added that the homeowners could do additional
window waterproofing and caulking, at their own expense if they desire additional
protection.
Phil Glanzer, 11230 52nd Avenue, a resident across the street from the affected home, and
expressed an interest in hearing the Council's plan for avoiding flooding.
Motion was mad by Councilmember Black, seconded by Councilmember Stein, to direct
staff to proceed with the recommended solutions, given financial considerations. The
motion passed in a unanimous voice vote.
Site 4W.- 11735 52"d Avenue
Mr. Keehn said the large open area next to the property owner was acting as a retention
pond, and was drained by a 15" storm sewer to the north. He recommended connecting
all area storm sewer pipes in the back yard, and redirecting the drainage pipe to an
existing City pond north of 52nd Avenue and south of the Canadian Pacific Railroad
tracks. He said this is desirable so that the flow rate is not increased north of the tracks
between two houses on the south side of 53`d Avenue.
Motion was made by Councilmember Black, seconded by Councilmember Hewittto
proceed with connection and diversion of storm sewer pipes, and to proceed with a
hydrological study when funding is available. The motion passed in a unanimous voice
vote.
Site 5— Plymouth Colony Apartments
Mr. Keehn reported that underground parking spaces were constructed too low and do not
have an adequate drainage system. He suggested the property owner raise the garage
entrances, and install sump pumps. He said that a storm sewer pipe restriction exists,
under Merrimac Lane, which serves as the outflow pipe for the apartment complex. There
have been plans to remove the restriction at some unspecified date in the future, but
downstream impact needs to be considered.
Apartment Manager Ronna Woolery, 1805 Hwy. 101 N., said the restriction removal had
been promised some time ago, but that nothing has been done yet. She said the property
owner would look at what he needs to do around the garage entrances, but that he would
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Special City Council Meeting
Tuesday, January 20, 2004
Page 4 of 8
like to see the City's removal of the restriction in the pipe to increase drainage away from
the building.
Mr. Keehn noted that even with the restriction taken out, heavy rains could still go into
the garage area.
The City Council directed staff to meet with the owner to discuss changing the pipe
restriction.
Item 6-28h and Sycamore
Mr. Keehn said the affected residence is in a low spot that receives overland run—off. He
recommended installation of a check valve to prevent backflow from the existing storm
sewer on 28`h Avenue. He said this could be incorporated into a new small manhole
structure with an outlet to the City's stormwater system. He said another option would be
to construct a berm around the walkout but this would involve input on the design from
the property owner.
Mark Pitman, 2740 Sycamore Lane, the property owner, said he doesn't believe the plan
will stop water from pooling in the yard. He suggested a permanent six—inch pipe
connected to the 28`x' Avenue storm sewer system, and a berm built to the house grade on
the side and back yard. He opposed a manhole on the side yard of their home. He also
expressed concerns about check valve failure and water pooling on the side yard.
Motion was made by Councilmember Stein, seconded by Councilmember Hewitt, for
staff to meet further with the property owners to work on plans to avoid flood damaee to
the house at a cost approximately equal to the staff recommendation cost. The motion
passed in a unanimous voice vote.
Site #7Plymouth Pond Apartments
Mr. Keehn reported that the storm drainage system on the south side of the complex
became clogged during the June 2003 rain event. He recommended maintenance
solutions for the City by putting in a skimmer structure to prevent future plugging. He
also recommended the property owner consider construction of raised pavement in front
of garage entrances.
Dave Beddoe, 4575 Nathan Lane, the property owner of Plymouth Ponds, and Ralph
Nutzman, the property manager, expressed concerns about guarantees that the drainage
system will remain clear. They asked about preventing drainage from the wetland across
the street from backing up and spilling over to the apartment complex.
Public Works Director Faulkner responded that installation of a skimmer structure
wouldn't take a lot of design work, and keeping the system cleared would be part of
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Special City Council Meeting
Tuesday, January 20, 2004
Page 5 of 8
regular maintenance. He said they would not be able to change the elevation of the
wetland, but could monitor drainage controls so that the wetland levels don't get too high.
Motion was made by Councilmember Black, seconded by Mayor Johnson, to accent the
recommendations of the consultant. The motion passed in a unanimous voice vote.
Additional Item -2615 Jewel Lane
Chuck Dorsey lives in Shiloh. 2615 Jewel Lane. He referred to a letter sent to the City
Council earlier in the day. In it, he and his wife expressed disappointment because they
felt flooding issues at his residence have not been addressed by the City. He felt that
holding ponds and the drainage system in the neighborhood had not been adequately
improved. He asked that the property be included in those being studied for repairs and
improvements.
The City Council directed staff to meet with the residents to resolve their concerns, and to
report back to the Council on the results.
The Councilmembers took a five–minute recess.
Review Bassett Creek Watershed Commission's Second Generation Plan
Mayor Johnson introduced Commissioner Liz Thornton, Alternate Commissioner Karla
Anderson, and Commission Chair John O'Toole, who were at the meeting to discuss with
the City Council the Bassett Creek Water Management Commission Second Generation
Watershed Management Plan.
City Engineer Quanbeck reviewed the process for updating the second -generation plan.
He said the Commission has been working on it for more than four years. He said that the
process included input from the public and the proposed plan update is now before the
member cities for review and comment. Following this review and a public hearing, the
proposed plan will go to the Board of Soil and litter Resources (BWSR) and state review
agencies for consideration, followed by a second review by the BWSR. Once adopted, he
said the cities must update their own watershed management plans to conform.
City Engineer Quanbeck reported that the Commission is recommending an ad valorem
tax to residents in the watershed, to pay for capital improvements, and alum treatment of
waters only if needed. He said the City of Plymouth's opposition to the proposed tax has
been conveyed to the Commission. He said the City could request that the Second
Generation Plan provide cities some flexibility how projects within their boundaries may
be paid for. He suggested that projects in Plymouth could then be paid for through the
Surface Water Treatment Fund.
He reported that the Watershed Commission has made numerous changes in response to
comments from Commissioners Thornton, Councilmember Black, and City Engineer
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Special City Council Meeting
Tuesday, January 20, 2004
Page 6 of 8
Quanbeck. He said the Plymouth's recommendations on how projects should be
reviewed, as well as modifications to the Commission's capitol improvements plan, have
been incorporated, and are now similar to Plymouth's Water Management Plan. He said
the Plymouth plan specifies a goal of 38 micrograms per liter while the watershed plan
for Medicine Lake specifies 20 micrograms per liter. He said this is a significant
difference, requiring much more aggressive efforts.
The Councilmembers discussed with the Commissioners how the Watershed Commission
could handle administrative duties, since it has no staff itself. City Engineer Quanbeck
reported that the firm of Barr Engineering has been doing the administrative work for the
Commission. He said that a suggestion was made at the last Commission meeting to have
one of the cities serve as administrator. He said one of the recommended comments
addresses this issue.
The Council expressed concerns about costs incurred in the development of the proposed
plan. City Engineer Quanbeck responded that the public input process and the capital
improvements review created more meetings and consequently, preparation of studies
and reports.
Councilmember Black expressed opposition to the use of Barr Engineering in the creation
of the Watershed Management budget. She noted that if the Commission had an
executive director, it might not need to depend so heavily on a private consulting firm.
Mr. O'Toole responded that the proposal might amount to greater expenses than using the
private consulting firm for work.
Councilmember Black opposed the use of an ad valorem tax to pay for the Commission if
a private firm is involved. She said with Barr Engineering handling administration of
projects, it amounted to a private firm telling the Commission what to charge for tax. She
said she didn't really want to consider a staff person, but was opposed to the involvement
of a private firm.
Mr. O'Toole noted that the ad valorem tax is planned for capital improvement projects,
not for administrative activities.
Councilmember Black said that cities have lost the feeling that the Commission is
listening to them. She said administration could come through several cities working
together, and suggested meeting with Golden Valley Mayor Linda Loomis to learn more
about their suggestion that a city serve as Commission administrator.
In response to Mr. O'Toole's query about what an executive director's role would be,
Mayor Johnson responded that the position would serve as a liaison with the member
cities, and work with them to get a consensus on projects.
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Special City Council Meeting
Tuesday, January 20, 2004
Page 7 of 8
Councilmembers discussed elements of the proposed plan. Councilmember Black noted
that recommended levels of chemicals in Medicine Lake listed in the Watershed
Commission proposed plan are at 30 parts per million, versus 38 parts as proposed by the
City of Plymouth. She suggested referring to the State Pollution Control Agency, which is
conducting studies that suggest safe and feasible chemical levels in Metro area lakes may
be higher than the standards proposed by the Watershed Commission.
Councilmembers discussed cleaning ponds and basins that go into the lakes. Mayor
Johnson expressed a concern about how cities could adequately address lake quality
issues when they have not been able to address pond and basin quality.
Mr. O'Toole responded that the Commission decided it wanted aim at the lowest levels of
effort, to achieve the highest quality. He said elements of the plan such as surface water
quality and aquatic vegetation management could be implemented by the cities, and if
these work the cities may opt not to go on to other levels of projects. He noted that alum
treatment of lake water is the farthest element down the road, but the Commission wanted
that in the plan so that if in ten years cities wanted to pursue that element it would be
ready to go.
Mr. O'Toole said the Commission could direct the engineering firm to review the lake
plan study, but he added it would cost money and cause delays in the second generation
plan adoption.
Councilmember Slavik noted that in the proposed plan, Parkers Lake has been put on
hold for any further study or work, because the water quality goals are being met. She
asked about the consequences if goals are no longer met, and the process and time line
for addressing the problem.
Mr. O'Toole responded that much the ability to fund new projects has to do with the
Watershed Commission's Capitol Improvements Program. He said if the water quality in
Parkers Lake declines, there is still much that the City can do.
City Engineer Quanbeck added that the Parkers Lake Implementation Plan projects are in
a section of the second-generation plan that the Watershed Commission could review at
some point if necessary.
Motion was made by Councilmember Black, seconded by Councilmember Stein, to
convey Councilmember Black's comments on Medicine Lake water quality levels, and
Councilmember Slavik's concerns about continued work on Parkers Lake conditions to
the Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission for consideration in the second
generation plan. Further, the comments should include a recommendation that the
Commission adopt 38 parts of phosphorus per billion as an acceptable level instead of the
30 Darts per billion listed at present.
The motion passed in a unanimous voice vote
Adopted Minutes
Special City Council Meeting
Tuesday, January 20, 2004
Page 8 of 8
Set Future Study Session Topics
Councilmembers discussed future study session topics. They agreed to meet at 6:30 PM
on March 16 to hear reports from consultants on transportation studies for Vicksburg
Lane and Medina Road.
They agreed to meet at 5:00 PM on March 9 to hear updates on flood analyses for the
remaining two site areas.
Motion was made by Councilmember Black, seconded by Councilmember Hewittto
cancel the January 21 meeting with area legislators. The motion passed in a unanimous
voice vote.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 p.m.
H.14olffman III, Deputy City Clerk