09-23-2020 Workshop Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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WORKSHOP MINUTES CITY COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 23, 2020 The Public Works Director explained that the other issue is the long-term maintenance of this area. He reported that the City Attorney shared the opinion that the City has no obligation to access or maintain this privately -owned area since there are no easements in place. He explained that over the last few years the City has had to deal with water problems since the water table got high due to several years of high rainfall. He stated he would like to move forward with some sort of work, but we also need to decide how to pay for it. McGraw asked if we do this work now, do we have to keep cleaning it out. The City Administrator stated that the Council could require maintenance agreements with the properties that are adjacent to this drainage area. Fischer asked if the City should pay for this now, and wants to ensure that the City does not pay for this again. He asked if there should be a cost share now. McGraw asked if wetland gets bigger when it is not maintained. The City Engineer stated that when plants grow and shed leaves and sticks, it builds up and can potentially cause the wetland size to increase. Fischer clarified that this area was last cleaned out in the 1980's. The Public Works Director stated that was correct. Keis asked if that was done by Ramsey County. The Public Works Director stated that he found records indicating that it was a city project. Ken Timm, 2442 Morrison Avenue, asked if this area was part of the Ramsey Washington Metro Watershed District, and do they have any responsibility. The Public Works Director stated that this is a naturally occurring wetland which the Watershed District would not actively manage. Joe Vitale, 2434 Morrison Avenue, explained that he is probably the most affected property. He noted that this area has not been cleaned out in over 35 years so the City would not have to do anything here every few years. He explained that there are water overflow problems in other areas of his neighborhood that the City does not know about. He stated that the City has to do maintenance on things. Mr. Timm stated that water builds up on their properties in order to get over the hump and be able to finally run down the ditch into the wetland to the south. Mr. Vitale stated that they have paperwork showing there are easements in place. The City Administrator explained that the City Attorney researched with Ramsey County and there are no records of easements being recorded on the properties in this area. Keis stated that the $3,700 cost is not so much the issue, as much as this is potentially setting a precedent. He stated that City staff can do some additional research and come back to Council with a recommendation. Montour stated that his opinion is to do this project, but verify that there is either already easements or get them. He stated that there needs to be a plan for how to move forward with this. McGraw stated that he wants to determine what we would do across the city with the other drainage problems before going forward with this project. Fischer stated he agrees with McGraw and asked if we are under a time constraint. The Public Works Director stated it is dry now, but this work is best done in the winter when the ground is hard. Mr. Vitale explained that it is usually wet there in the winter. McGraw asked that the City Attorney again review why the letter the residents have about easements is not accurate. 2