HomeMy WebLinkAboutFlood Report 11-10STAFF REPORT
DATE: November 10, 2020
DISCUSSION
AGENDA ITEM: Flooding Discussion
SUBMITTED BY: Kristina Handt, City Administrator
BACKGROUND:
A number of properties experienced flooding issues this spring/summer due to the high ground water
levels. The city council last discussed flooding issues at their February work session. Since that time the
city has provided sand and bags to Lake Elmo property owners, assisted Valley Branch Watershed
District (VBWD) in the pumping of two ponds-Legion Ave and Reid Park, provided information to
Cimarron management about flooding, and attended a tour hosted by the county in July of flooded areas
in Lake Elmo. At the tour it was mentioned the county and watershed district would be having a work
session to discuss next steps. We have invited the county and watershed to this work session to provide an
update to the council.
ISSUE BEFORE COUNCIL:
Receive update from Washington County and Valley Branch Watershed District and provide feedback as
appropriate.
PROPOSAL DETAILS/ANALYSIS:
Per the watershed district, the typical flood management options are usually grouped into 1) reduce the
runoff coming into the basin (e.g., divert, hold back, etc.) to lower the flood level, 2) create an outlet to
lower the flood level, and/or 3) remove or structurally protect the problem structures from the floodplain
(e.g., raise, fill basements, berm, remove, etc.).
The VBWD began the process to amend their plan in September to allow for the purchase of flooded
property on Klawitter Pond and Freidrich’s Pond in Lake Elmo. These were both visited during the tour in
July.
The VBWD is also preparing a work plan to submit with an application to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
to study the feasibility of creating permanent outlets from several landlocked basins, most within the City
of Lake Elmo. The work plan is not expected to be completed until the end of this year. The study will
involve stakeholders, including the city of Lake Elmo and Washington County, and will likely take at least
a year to complete. If VBWD orders a construction project, another Plan amendment would be needed.
Funding for the study and pumping of areas in Lake Elmo is included in the draft 2021 VBWD budget.
FISCAL IMPACT:
NA
ATTACHMENT:
2021 VBWD Budget
Valley Branch Watershed District
2021 Levy and Budget Overview
October 2020
John Hamerly—Lake Elmo
Ed Marchan, Treasurer—West Lakeland
Dave Sewell, Vice President—Lake Elmo
Jill Lucas, President—Afton
Rick Gelbmann, Secretary—North St. Paul
Water Quantity
Projects, 63%Water Quality
Projects, 9%
Inspection and
Maintenance, 9%
General/Fixed Overhead, 6%
Permitting, 5%
Public Education, 4%
Monitoring, 3%Planning, 1%
Valley Branch Watershed District 2021 Budget
2020 2021
Water Quantity Projects $1,350,972 $2,508,400
Water Quality Projects 552,000 368,000
Basin, Stream, and Groundwater Monitoring 111,000 103,000
Inspection and Maintenance 415,000 350,000
Public Education 120,000 168,000
Permitting 170,000 190,000
Planning 10,000 25,000
General/Fixed Overhead 250,000 250,000
Grand Total $2,978,972 $3,962,400
Estimated Carryover $711,401 $1,343,100
Estimated Revenue from Grants 293,504 243,000
Levy 1,974,067 2,376,300
Total Revenue $2,978,972 $3,962,400
Potential Bond (If bond obtained, 2020 expenses
would increase. Carryover expected to higher.)
$5,115,000
Total Revenue with Bond $8,093,972
2021
Water Quantity Projects $2,508,400
Emergency Fund $50,000
Home Buyouts/Floodproofing $202,600
Carryover from Bond for Future Projects $374,800
Payment on 2019 Bond $226,000
Payment on 2020 Bond $315,000
Watershed Modeling $100,000
Feasibility Study for Permanent Outlets at Landlocked Basins
(Manning Avenue corridor basins ($390,000), Goose Lake ($29,000), four other basins at $130,000/basin)
$940,000
Pumping at Legion Pond, Reid Park Ponds, Friedrich's Pond, Downs Lake/Eden
Park Pond
$300,000
Watershed District
2020 Estimated Tax Paid to Watershed District
$250,000 Property $400,000 Property
Comfort Lake-Forest Lake $126 $214
Brown's Creek $114 $193
Valley Branch $81 $137
Ramsey-Washington Metro $78 $132
Carnelian Marine St. Croix $72 $122
South Washington
$17
(plus fee of $41, $47, $49, or
$62
$29
(plus fee of $41, $47, $49, or
$62)
Rice Creek $41 $70
Average
(assuming SWWD total is $58 for $250K and $91 for
$400K)$81 $137
*Based on Washington County's tax impact worksheet calculator
**The South Washington Watershed District fees might be different than listed
***The estimated tax impact of the 2021 VBWD levy would be $95 on a $250k property and $161 on
$400K property
Tax Impact of Watershed Districts covering Washington County