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LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES MAY 20, 1986 PAGE 4 derived from this project (disposal of storm water runoff) assessing the VBWD's estimate of project cost over 534 parcels would.result in assessments ranging from $53 to $62 per parcel. City Engineer Bohrer stated that you can assess, but you could have some successful challenges because benefit based on contribution to the problem has been successfully challenged. City Attorney Knaak cautioned the Council that the city could end up picking up the cost of the pumping project. Nels Nelson, engineer for the VBWD, added that in the past two to three years, the appeals courts have really narrowed down what you can do with upstream assessments. Mayor Morgan suggested two areas: just south of Sunfish Lake up on the high plateau and the other spot would be city land that is rented out to Mr. Friedrich. Bohrer felt the closer the infiltration basin is to the lake the greater the chance is of just recirculating the water. Morgan further added that the gradient well has been pumping for three years and allegedly no water is running off the property and they are pumping 190 gallons per minute. If we could find a spot, we need to pump 380 gallons per minute in order to take 140 feet off of Sunfish Lake. City Engineer Bohrer added that the feasibility of this project will depend on finding a landowner willing to accept the irrigation water, but the potential for crop damage is high. There was mixed feelings among the Council on the pumping project. Councilman Dunn felt that we are establishing a precedent if we do this and we might as well be ready to "eat the whole thing" if we go ahead with the pumping. Councilwoman Armstrong stated that the City should stay out of the water business. Councilman Mazzara would be in favor of looking for a specific area, but by being in favor of this doesn't mean he would vote for a public hearing to order the project. Councilman Christ was in support of the project and was ready to vote for the preliminary fund that was necessary to initiate the project. He added that it was certainly a shame that we as a city have to address this when there's a watershed district available. Pat Riley who is a Sunfish landowner responded that the people of Sunfish have really tried to work with the people on Lake Jane, and the people on the council and on the watershed board, but somewhere reason has to take effect and he didn't want the Council to forget about the people on Sunfish. He further explained how his home was built 18 feet above the ordinary high water mark and is now less than 10 feet away from the actual water level. M/S/P Morgan/Christ - to instruct City Engineer Bohrer to find a place to put the water from a Sunfish Pumping Project. (Motion carried 5-0). C. Public Improvement Street Projects May 6 (amended 6-3-86) At the J-une-6-Council meeting, City Engineer Bohrer had recommended that Layton Avenue from Highway 5 to 36th Street, 36th Street from Laverne Avenue to Layton Avenue, and 33rd Street Lane