09-05-95 CCM - Laserfiche WebLink

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LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES SEPTEMBER 5, 1995 M/S/P Hunt/John - to direct the city engineer to work with Washington County in the design of Inwood Avenue to see if a portion of the water could be diverted from the west side to the east side of Inwood Avenue probably through a 15" culvert which costs would be included in the County's project for reconstruction of Inwood Avenue. (Motion passed 5-0). Request from Ed Abbott for fireworks display: Ed Abbott, 3600 Kelvin Avenue N, requested permission for a onetime use of fireworks on his property of 28 acres, Saturday, September 9th, by a pyrotechnic who is licensed by the State. Attorney Filla explained the city does have the authority to regulate the use of fireworks, and if the city chooses, it could allow this to occur in the city if there is a licensing procedure for it. Currently, the city code does not allow a display of fireworks within the city. The ordinance would have to be changed to allow this use to occur and it is not the kind of activity you could grant a variance to and waive the provisions of the city code. Discussion occurred and Mr. Abbott was informed that the city's regulations do not allow the use of fireworks on his property. The Council decided it was too short of a time schedule to change the code allowing this type of use on September 9th, but Mr. Abbott did get the procedure started for the Council to discuss the appropriateness of changing the code allowing fireworks. "Due to conflict with the City Engineer's schedule resulting from the holiday, his report will immediately follow Public Inquiries 5. CITY ENGINEER'S REPORT: A. Update on visit to Upper 33rd St. regarding 1995 Overlay Larry Bohrer reported he and the Mayor met with the Markgrafs and Dunns out on the site of the 33rd St. proposed paving project. There were two issues discussed; the paving of the westerly gravel portion of the road itself and the proposed construction of a turnaround. At the conclusion of the meeting, it was generally agreed that the residents, Markgrafs and Dunns, would accept the paving of the gravel portion of the road up to the westerly end of the Markgraf's driveway, but eliminate the T-turnaround. Also, the reflective signage needs to be upgraded by Public Works because of deterioration. Bohrer added that even though paving stops some 30-40' short of where the barricade is now, Public Works will need to plow all the way to keep the fire lane open. M/S/P Johnston/DeLapp - to approve the modification agreed upon on Upper 33rd St.; that is, to pave the gravel portion of the road up to the westerly end of the Markgraf's driveway and to eliminate the T- turnaround (Motion passed 5-0). B. Hill Trail N./Hill Trail Court Drainage Problems Larry Bohrer was asked by the City Administrator to review the drainage patterns in the area with the Council because of certain requests of property owners. He reported there are two affected property owners, Furseth and Brown, with high water problems. The Public Works Dept. has pumped that wetland occasionally when the water has reached high levels. Before the mid 1980's, there were two catch basins and a pipe at the intersection at Hill Trail Court and Hill Trail. This would intercept some of the street drainage from these two streets and direct it to Lake DeMontreville. In the mid 80's, the owner of the property, Castle Design, wanted to try to develop this parcel of property and discovered a storm sewer out across their property without the benefit of an easement to discharge water across that lot. It was requested and granted that the water discharged be stopped; therefore, the two catch basins were fitted with a steel plate over the grate and paved over so they could no longer accept water and transfer water across property. The Furseths and Browns believe that by closing off the catch basins it has contributed to the high water problems in the wetland. Bohrer agreed that closing of the catch basins may contribute to the high water, but certainly doesn't cause the problem. This water problem was identified in a report identifying various flooding concerns done by the previous engineer in 1978. The residents, Furseth and Brown, have asked if the city would investigate reopening of that drainage facility. Bohrer asked if the city would like him to make contact with the new owners, the Taylors, to see if there would be an objection to reopening those catch basins..