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City Council Meeting Minutes February 9, 1999 Page 6 • 1 Cavanaugh asked why the project's cost per foot is 50%higher than last year's equivalent 2 project. Mr. Hubmer stated the cost.for subgrade work has doubled over the past few years and 3 significantly more work is being done-on-these-roads due-to-the-quality of soil. ---- ---4 -- -- 5 Brent Gunsbury, 2701 - 30th Avenue NE, stated he has been designated an unofficial 6 spokesperson for St. Anthony Village for Storm Water Solutions, a group of concerned citizens 7 who wish to help the City in its efforts to solve the storm water problems. He added the group 8 has worked with one of the nation's finest urban planners and architects. 9 10 Mr. Gunsbury stated the City received a number of complaints in July 1997 with regard to 11 flooding on personal property. He stated while 67 complaints were received, only 13 of these 12 constituted viable reasons to institute 100 year flood protection. 13 14 Mr. Gunsbury stated the City Council is deciding whether to put a big pipe down Wilson Avenue 15 or a smaller pipe into Silver Point Park. He added a vote for the smaller pipe will end any 16 opportunity for the City to direct water to the south, emphasizing that water flows naturally in 17 that direction. He expressed concern that the City is unwilling to work with experts hired by his 18 group or review their cost benefit analysis. • 19 20 Mr. Gunsbury stated he and other residents have tried to assist the City in this process. He 21 expressed his belief that the City has a decided lack of vision with regard to this project and 22 requested the Council as City leaders to provide a.sense of vision. 23 24 Mr. Gunsbury stated the results of a neighborhood survey recently conducted indicated a 25 consensus in favor of directing storm water to and redevelopment of the Town& Country area, 26 and objections to the seizing of private property. He added he has come to the conclusion that 27 the there is public interest but no political will in this case. 28 29 Mr. Gunsbury stated he believes the Council is pitting neighbor against neighbor and the impact 30 on the Harding neighborhood and Silver Point Park has been tremendous. He added the long- 31 term damage will be profound and dramatic, and urged the Council to consider the long-term 32 impact of their decision. 33 34 Ranallo stated the City has experienced flooding problems for many years contrary to Mr. 35 Gunsbury's assertion that the issue began with complaints received in July 1997. He added 36 automobiles and homes have been flooded for years, and lives nearly lost. 37 38 Ranallo stated the owners of Town& Country are not willing to sell or go through the 39 condemnation process. He added they are in the process of repairing the roof and intend to find a • 40 suitable tenant for the space. 41 .