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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes July 8, 1997 • Page 3 1 Norine Lockrem, 2716 St. Anthony Boulevard, presented a letter she had drafted to the Mayor 2 and City Council and noted the key points. She stated that due to the extreme water problems 3 on St. Anthony Boulevard, she is requesting that the City of St. Anthony purchase the 4 property at 2716 St. Anthony Boulevard and in addition reimburse her family for personal 5 property loss. She asked that the City consider this request and advise within 60 days of their 6 decision, recognizing that the City may need to collaborate this effort with other governmental 7 jurisdictions. 8 Ms. Lockrem stated that on July 1, 1997, the water level on St. Anthony Boulevard rose to 9 approximately 8 feet, which made water come through her front door. Water also crashed 10 though the basement window and filled the basement completely and on through the ceiling 11 into the first floor. She stated her home is unlivable. 12 Ms. Lockrem stated in July 1987 water came into the basement. The news media deemed this 13 to be the storm of the century. Following that storm, federal aid in the form of small 14 business loans was offered to storm victims. The federal government estimated the damage 15 on her home at $38,000. Her family obtained a small business loan in the amount of 16 $20,000, in the form of a second mortgage and rebuilt the home. She stated she cannot 17 afford a third mortgage. 18 Ms. Lockrem noted there has been controversy of who is at fault. She suggested that all the • 19 governing agencies need to get involved and work together. For that reason she has copied 20 this letter to State Senator Marty, State Representative McGuire, City of Minneapolis Mayor 21 Sayles-Belton, Hennepin County Commissioner Stenglein, and U.S. Senator Wellstone. She 22 noted St. Anthony is a small community and she felt St. Anthony was being ignored. 23 Sandra Rose, 2709 St. Anthony Boulevard, stated she and her husband, at their own expense, 24 have done everything possible to repair and fix their home to keep it from being jeopardized 25 by water. They have installed block windows in the basement, installed a retaining wall and 26 high vents for their appliances. This has all been done to no avail. She stated she felt the 27 City should purchase her property to use as a holding pond. Her property is unlivable. She 28 stated she lives hostage as a result of this situation as she cannot leave the property. Her 29 husband is a senior citizen and they do not want to have to start all over. She noted this issue 30 was discussed in 1992 and the Mayor stated that one option would be that this area could be 31 designated as a flood area. Without this designation, flood insurance is not available. She 32 cannot, in good faith, sell her home to anyone else. She stated this is a problem of the 33 community and the community needs to stand up for one another. 34 Mary Ann Kuharski, 2709 Pahl Avenue, stated she had lived in her home for 20 years. Due 35 to the storm, she experienced water damage in the garage as well as the basement which 36 served as her son's bedroom. She has lost household items, toys and games and her sons are .37 sleeping on cushions on the main floor area. She stated that worse than the flooding, the • 38 mess, and the clean up, is that fact that this has happened before and no action was taken, and