Agenda Packets - 1987/01/05 - Laserfiche WebLink

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MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL PACE Two DECEMBER 29, 1986 his basement during a rainfall event. (Later surveying revealed that this could not be happening and the likely source was runoff from his roof due to the lack of gutters and settling of the area Immediately around his house.) Staff advised Mr. Casey that he could use what material he needed to provide proper slope around his house and fill in low spots in his yard, the remainder would be removed by City crews. Due to other scheduling considera- tions, the fill was not removed within the next two working days, a weekend intervened between them, and when the crew arrived to remove the material it was discovered that Mr. Casey's neighbors to the west, Mr. Askins, 2824 Arden, and Mr. Buzzell, 2832 Arden, were having fill dumped in their rear yards by a private contractor. I received a call from Steve Rose, Steve Thatcher was absent that day, who asked me if the City had given approval for the filling of the easements. I advised him that we had not, requested that he explain to the property owners that the work was unauthorized and permits would need to be granted before any further work could be performed. NOTE: I later learned that Councilmember Quick had discussed the matter with Steve Thatcher at the prior Council meeting and had been led to believe that no permits would be required. He advised Masts. Asking and Buzzell later that evening of his understanding and the work was begun under that supposition. Since that time, all three property owners have leveled the fill, none of them have applied for permits, and I have interviewed all involved parties in an attempt to determine how the situation got out of hand. Unfortunately, my "investigation" has not led me to any conclusions for blame to be placed instead, I have reached the conclusion that there was no apparent purposeful effort on the part of anyone to mislead or deceive, but that a great deal of miscommunication and inadequate response occurred. I have, however, come to some conclusions which I wish to submit as recommendations in order to deal with this manner in a responsible fashion and hopefully prevent any situations like this from occurring in the future. These recommendations are categorized as "Preventive" to prevent further problems, and "Responsive" to respond to the current situation. A. Preventive I. All exca•tation in the City being done for the City mist be done under contract which includes a provi- sion that disposal of material anywhere in the City be done only upon receiving prior approval from the City.