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City Council of Vadnais Heights <br />Meeting Minutes Excerpts <br />Dec. 16, 2003 <br />over time, became filled with sand and dirt from soil erosion and grass clippings. He added the <br />residents in 521, the adjoining lot, in 1991 filled in the ditch with dirt in front of their home to <br />essentially make their lot level, which backed the water into his lot at 537. He indicated as the <br />years go by the condition continues to get worse, with the ponding areas getting deeper because <br />of soil compaction and the road bed has been raised with an asphalt overlay; all of which means <br />more water ponding from normal heavy rains. <br />Mr. Burger indicated the solution would be to extend the road project to the west end of his <br />property, installing the necessary storm drains to correct his water problems and install water <br />mains for residential use and fire protection. <br />Mr. Burger advised he had a letter from SEH Engineering to Vadnais Heights City <br />Administrator Gerry Urban dated August 31, 1989 explaining the water problems, temporary fix, <br />and related costs. He indicated SEH Engineer Michael Keys did the research and <br />recommendations to fix the water ponding problem. <br />Mayor Banovetz noted the Council did not receive that attachment, and asked Mr. Burger to <br />furnish it to the City so copies could be distributed. <br />Mr. Burger indicated Michael Keys had several suggestions which would improve the problem, <br />but things have changed since that research was completed in 1989. He advised in 1989 the <br />temporary fix was to install storm ditches and culverts in front of his property, which no longer <br />makes sense because of the MnDOT project to raise the Edgerton Street Bridge. It now makes <br />good sense for Vadnais Heights and MN/DOT to make any major improvements in conjunction <br />with the raise of the Edgerton Bridge project. He reiterated the fix would be to extend the road <br />project to the west of his property, installing the necessary storm drains to correct his water <br />problems and install water mains for residential use and fire protection. He stated this should be <br />done for immediate or future use from Edgerton Street to his west tot line. <br />Mr. Burger advised an aerial photo shows existing water problems at 537 Vadnais Road taken <br />by SEH Engineering in 1989 and sent with their memo and recommendations to fix his water <br />ponding problems. He indicated these conditions have gotten worse since the pictures were <br />taken in 1989 because of soil compaction, erosion and filling in the ditch at the adjoining <br />property of 521. He stated generally speaking he is not in favor of the Unweave the Weave <br />project. He indicated at a cost of $119 million and the disruption of the 694/35E traffic flow and <br />surrounding area for several years, he believes the money could be better utilized for schools and <br />other urban road improvements. He stated he lives across from 694 and drives the highway on a <br />daily basis and other than rush hour traffic he sees little congestion. He indicated there will still <br />be land changes in the same area going both directions on the new freeway. He stated that <br />having said that, he knows the project will go on and he will have to deal with it. <br />Mr. Burger stated his concern is the proposed roadwork is now scheduled to end at his <br />driveway, and will increase the water ponding problems on his property and the road right -of- <br />way. He indicated he has lived at this location since 1975 and has experienced three or four <br />heavy, normal rainfalls during the seasons and water ponds in his yard and the road right -of -way <br />when this occurs. I-Ie stated the situation has gotten worse over time because of the previously <br />7 <br />