07-10-2019 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL JULY 10, 2019 be safe at anything under 874 feet, but no freeboard (cushion), would be provided for the low home. The Public Works Director explained that a second option is to pump the lake down to 872 feet, which is the level of the overflow pipe under the railroad tracks and should expose the final sanitary sewer structure that is currently underwater. He stated that in order to do this, the pump intake would need to be moved so further discussions are needed with Northern Dewatering to see if this is feasible. He stated that there would be some additional costs on the front end to set up a new intake, but there would now be two feet of freeboard between the low home and a potential 100- year rain event. He noted that without additional flow from West Vadnais Lake and normal precipitation, Twin Lake may remain at or near 872 feet with very little pumping, but the high groundwater levels now could be a factor in what the lake naturally goes back up to. The Public Works Director explained that a third option is to continue to lower the lake level to 871 to 871.5 feet or lower. He stated that staff installed a gauge in July 2018 and the lake level at that time was recorded at 871.49 feet, and all of the City's public infrastructure was uncovered and there was no immediate threat to any of the habitable structures around the lake. He stated that staff recommends pumping down to the 872 foot level, which would provide at least two feet of freeboard for the low home and is also the historical overflow level for the lake. He stated that water levels are high everywhere. He explained that there are several entities that are looking into the possibility of running a pipe or ditch from Twin Lake directly into Waldo pond instead of through the pond on the Frattalone property. McGraw asked how many entities are involved in this situation. Montour stated he was at a meeting and noted fourteen different groups. Fischer asked if there is an end in sight to pumping. The Public Works Director stated that if the need is there again in the spring and the pipe or ditch does not get installed before winter, a pump could be installed again. Fischer stated that he is concerned about the on -going cost. Keis stated this was not meant to be a solution forever, and noted that there are seven other lakes and would the City pump for them if they asked. Montour stated that there is another city and private property owner to work with in order to get a pipe or ditch in place. McGraw stated that he did not intend for this pumping to go in to perpetuity. He noted that the city cannot afford to keep pumping and there are other entities that should be sharing in the cost for a solution. He stated that the low house is now safe and there are several groups that will need to work together to share the costs. 3