10-24-01 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL OCTOBER 24, 2001 The City Administrator felt one of the primary issues to be looked at in this study is whether or not the berm is serving any purpose and, if not, should it be removed. The Administrator noted that the Watershed has indicated that the berm may not be serving any purpose and that removal would not make much difference to the area. The Watershed has agreed to review the berm issue pending the outcome of this study. The Administrator also pointed out that the ditch going down to Kohlman Lake may not be functioning properly. 1f the study shows that, a joint project to clean it may be possible. The City Administrator expressed concern that without the engineering study, the City will have no data with which to push the issue further. Scalze pointed out that the City has aerial photographs that were taken before the berm existed. She asked if there were any that might show how vegetation changed after installation of the berm. The City Administrator indicated that the County may have some aerials that were taken in the last five years. The Administrator also indicated that the Watershed has 1940's aerials, and a progression from then to now could be reviewed. The Administrator also indicated that the best that the City could hope for is for improvements to be made in drainage patterns, not a change in wetland status. Scalze asked if the study will measure inflow into the area. Scalze felt that based on the inflows, a ditch system should be designed and the impacted properties compensated for taking this water. Scalze pointed out that water is coming into the area that the City has no control over. The City Administrator indicated that the City does have information on the drainage a~~ea that contributes to inflows into this area. Anderson asked if the engineering study identifies remedies to the problem, who would be responsible for paying for these remedies. The City Administrator indicated that the City's chances of getting a shared cost arrangement for drainage improvements increase as the result of this study. Scalze felt that one of the County's roles was to address issues involving more than one agency or municipality. Scalze felt that Vadnais Heights, Maplewood, and the County are all contributors to the problem. She noted that the Watershed's role is to ensure that run-off is kept clean. The City Administrator stated that the Watershed would have some involvement.