Laserfiche WebLink
Public Works Director Bill Dircks, City Administrator Heineman, and City Engineer Mark Kasma <br />toured the area in the early summer and came to the conclusion that the dredged material could be <br />stocked on the land surrounding the ditch, spread out, and covered with seed and blanket. There is <br />sufficient room to store it and maintain a gentle enough slope on the ditch. Some tree removal will be <br />necessary to gain access to the area with an excavator as well as to allow the excavator to properly <br />dredge the ditch. <br />Tree removal work could be coordinated by public works and parks crews with possible assistance <br />from the Department of Corrections work crew. There are two basic options for dredging the ditch: <br />1)The first option is renting an excavator and utilizing City crews to do the work. While not as <br />seasoned and experienced with an excavator as a professional operator, there are members of <br />the crew that have operated excavators and could likely establish a proper grade. An excavator <br />can be rented at Tri-State Bobcat in Little Canada for approximately $1000-$1400 per week, <br />and it is anticipated that the work would take 3-5 days to complete. If staff is directed to pursue <br />this option, staff time could be calculated and added to the total cost. <br />2)The second option is to contract with a professional operator on a time and material basis while <br />also utilizing City staff as necessary to assist the operator. It is likely that a professional <br />operator would cost approximately $2,000-$4,000 plus the cost of renting the excavator. <br />Additional staff time would also be needed to complete the project. <br />City staff currently maintains the outlet culvert under McMenemy Street to make sure water can be <br />conveyed from the wetland area. The City also has an easement over the east/west portion of the ditch <br />that leads to the pipe and will continue to maintain that area going forward. The north/south area of <br />the ditch leading to the wetland is located entirely on private property. <br />Future maintenance of the ditch and surrounding area is the responsibility of the affected property <br />owners and a private Maintenance Agreement should be established and recorded with Ramsey County <br />to address this issue. When considering the future maintenance of the area, keep in mind that there are <br />numerous other storm water issues in the City that have cropped up over the past five years due to the <br />high amounts of precipitation we have had. <br />1)Viking Drive: A new pond has shown up north of Viking Drive (East of Soo Line RR) in City <br />ROW. This pond is encroaching on private properties but is not a risk to habitable structures. <br />2)Allen Avenue / Vanderbie Street / Costa Lane: There have been frequent resident concerns and <br />complaints related to stormwater management for several years in this area. <br />3)Greenbrier Street: Longstanding stormwater issues are a currently being corrected with the <br />construction of additional stormwater ponding as part of the 2020 reconstruction project. The <br />City has incurred approximately $381,000 to date for the stormwater portion of this project. <br />4)County Road B East: There has been frequent flooding over County Road B between the entry <br />to Abbott Labs and I-35E. <br />5)County Road B2: There is a pond located on private property between Grand Pre Apartments <br />and Canabury Pond Condominiums that frequently overflows onto County Road B2.