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Page 8 of 11 <br />Committee member Glazer asked if there was a water quality standard in addition to the <br />volume control standard. Mr. Schleeter said that the RCWD volume control standard and <br />infiltration requirements address the water quality standard because the run off that contains <br />the pollutants infiltrates into raingardens, thus reducing the amount of pollutants that flow into <br />the watershed. <br />Option 1: “Extent of raingarden program improvement”. <br />x Option 1.1 - The lowest cost raingarden would be turf grass restoration. The grass <br />would match the home owners’ turf grass. Home owners would mow the turf the same <br />as the rest of their yards. <br />x Option 1.2 – The next option would be planted raingardens by request. The default <br />raingarden would be a turf garden and home owners would have to request a planted <br />raingarden. This would probably limit the number of planted raingardens and keep the <br />cost down. <br />x Option 1.3 – This option is a variety of raingarden options. There could be a number of <br />types and variety of raingardens available to choose from. <br />Committee member Glazer asked about the number and cost of raingardens in the city. <br />Mr. Schleeter indicated that the total number for all projects will be around 600 to 700 <br />raingardens, at a cost of about $500 to $800 each. Committee member Amundsen said that <br />the city Finance Director Beers has calculated the cost of the raingardens into the project cost. <br />Committee member Kavanaugh said a resident of Knollwood had contacted him about <br />foundation problems that occurred when the sump pump had pumped water and sand, <br />undermining the foundation. The issue is whether raingardens would increase the water table <br />and exacerbate this problem. Committee member Glazer said that his reading on raingardens <br />found that raingardens are contra-indicated when the bottom of the raingarden is within 3 foot <br />of the water table. Mr. Schleeter confirmed that RCWD includes this as part of its <br />requirements. <br />Option 2: “Near-term Financial Obligations”. <br />x Option 2.1 – Property owners pay for plantings. According to the RCWD, the city could <br />not apply for a cost sharing program but property owners could apply. The cost sharing <br />option would be 50% home owner and 50% RCWD. The city could help with the cost <br />by buying plants in bulk to decrease plant cost. If some of the cost of the raingarden <br />falls on the property owner, then the number of planted raingardens will be smaller. <br />x Option 2.2 – City pays for plantings. <br />Committee member Amundsen said there could be a third option where the city helps share <br />the cost of the plants. Perhaps the city would pay a third, the home owner a third, and RCWD <br />a third. <br />Brad Schleeter said that for a typical 200 square foot raingarden the cost estimate for plants is <br />$600 to $800. <br />Option 3: “Installation Obligations”.