HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 7/26/1993 - Public Works Committee PUBLIC WORKS COPM7ITTEE
July 26, 1993
�
Ch�tirman Bolger called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. with committee
members Locke and Lawson, Mayor Cuda, City Administrator Peterson, Director of
Public 47orks Batt, City Engineer Carl Moon and Anne Rodenkirch in attendance.
Bolger <<sked audience members to register their attendance.
BoJ.ger indicated the purpose of this meeting was to discuss drainage
problem:;, especially those related to flooding which occurred June 30th
followir�g a rainfall of over 4 inches in less than 8 hours.
Bol.ger suggested the following items for the Committee's consideration:
1) an ordinance imposing a fine for dumping foreign materials in drainageways;
2) regu]ar inspection of all drainageways to insure they are clear of any
materials that could impede drainage; 3) inspection of sanitary sewer
manholes, especially in Lakeland Park, to insure they are properly sealed to
prevent infiltration of ground water; 4) development of a large City detention
area on the Pacini property; 5) inspection to determine which areas need new
culverts and to identify damaged culverts for repair.
Batt enumerated a list of addresses which had reported flooding, sanitary
sewer backups, or both, and identified other areas which were generally
flooded. He said flooding in the Lakeland Park area was primarily due to the
elevation �of the creek over the top of drainage culverts, noting that when the
creek level dropped most of the flooding was alleviated.
Batt noted that groundwater infiltration was not the only cause for the
`„ overloaded sanitary sewer system,.,saying the pumps are undersized for the
volume of flow generated during a sto.rm in addition to the volume from the
many residential sump pumps which are connected to the sanitary sewer system.
In addition, many sanitary sewer manholes'' are too low, allowing runoff to
infiltrate. He said debris blocking drainageways is a very real problem
Bolger invited audience members to address the Committee. Ron Samuelson,
4903 Willow, claimed that permanent damage to his house's foundation and walls
was a result of the City's lack of response to his flooding problem. Batt
noted Samuelson's property is lower than the creek so that water from the
creek could be channeled to his property. Samuelson claimed his efforts to
raise the property level have been defeated by the repeated flooding which has
compacted the soil, and he demanded the City provide a permanent resolution to
his problem. Batt said widening the creek would help but such a project would
be very expensive as every bridge in Lakeland Park would have to be rebuilt.
Batt said FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) has information on
flood-proofing residences and properties which can help prevent or reduce the
incidence of flooding at a particular location. He is not aware of State or
Fefleral grants to rebuild drainage systems.
Tony Amici, 3812 Anne St. , claimed the dam located on the Country Club's
property restricted flow of the creek, causing flooding of his property. He
�. �
Public Works Committee, July 26, 1993 Page 2
felt the dam should be removed in times of heavy rain, in addition to
construction of a retention pond on the west side of Front St. In addition,
� one of the two culverts located under Green St. for the drainageway appears to
not be functional, with the second functioning partially. This could have
contrib�ated to the flooding in the vicinity of McCracken Field. Neighboring
residents claimed that solid manhole covers prevent ground water from entering
the drainage system, noting that when the covers were lifted ground water
immedia�ely began to recede.
Diana Mantzoros, 1904 Oak Dr. , complimented the City for previous work
which prevented flooding at her property, but chided the City for its apparent
delay in responding to complaints of dumping on vacant property. She also
complained that City vehicles drive past debris on the right-of-way, saying
she did not feel a dumping ordinance would be effective unless the City became
more proactive in enforcement.
Wayne Walczak, 5120 Willow, said his problems were caused illegal filling
on neighboring properties, which caused his to become the lowest in the area.
In addition, he claimed a garage and frost wall built partially on a
drainageway impedes the underground water flow, thereby increasing the amount
of water directed toward his property. Walczak claimed City-suggested
property revisions were ineffective in preventing flooding of his property.
He was disappointed the City's insurance would not cover his damages. Batt
promised to further investigate the problem but noted he could not promise
relief. '
Batt said a Special Assessment or Special Service area could be created
for drainage improvements but noted that localized solutions would be paid for
�, in part by residents not experiencing drainage problems.
Karen Anderson, 4910 WIllow, urged be�tter communication between the City
and residents of the Lakeland Park area regarding efforts being made to
resolve the drainage problems in that area. She also asked for notification
from the City prior to creek mowing and cleaning operations, saying plantings
installed by her along the creek banks had been completely destroyed by such
activity. Batt said such notification was not possible, but said he would
caution workers to be alert to landscaping.
Jeff Weymiller, 4510 Clearview, asked what the City's plans were to
prevent flooding in his immediate area. Batt said only a ma�or drainage
improvement would provide relief; Peterson said there were a number of funding
possibilities which must be investigated before a commitment could be made.
He noted it was likely that funding would become more available as a result of
the generalized flooding in the Midwest.
Locke said he felt that new annexations should be required to have storm
drainage systems in place prior to annexation.
Moon indicated the emphasis of the City Engineers has been on the
sanitary sewer portion of the Master Plan, and they have not yet been able to
� �
Public Works Committee, July 26, 1993 Page 3
investigate the new problems which have come to light recently regarding
� drainage.
Bolger called for a break at 8:47 P.M. ; the meeting reconvened at 8:55
P.M.
Debbie Karlsen, 3812 Anne St. , said she has had repeated flooding
problems due to the creek behind her house. She said she also suffered
sanitary sewer backups on June 30th which apparently were due to failure of a
lift station. She claimed work done by the City on an easement increased her
flooding problems; she urged immediate improvements to the creek including
construction of a retention pond. She was disappointed the City was not
offering assistance to affected residences, and asked to be kept updated on
City action to prevent future problems.
Peterson said the Pacini property would be the site of a regional
detention pond to handle drainage from as far south as Edgewood Road and west
to Crystal Lake Road. However, until the property is developed the pond will
not be built. Condemnation is an expensive and time-consuming process, and is
not anticipated for this situation.
A suggestion that baffles be installed before the grate near Edgebrook
School to prevent debris from blocking the grate would be investigated, Batt
said. In addition, Batt said a house-by-house survey to identify illegal sump
pump connections could be made. In addition, the City must upgrade
information about the drainage system in Lakeland Park since the subdivision
was annexed after all public improvements were completed.
� Don Weichle, 4317 Parkway, said his flooding problem could be corrected
by increasing� the width and depth of the drainage culvert in front of his
home. Batt cautioned that standing water �in the culvert could be a result,
but promised to investigate. �
The resident at 5012 Willow asked for reimbursement for damages suffered
from sanitary sewer backups and flooding. Peterson said the losses could not
be covered since they were not due to anything the City could prevent. He
urged residents to file detailed claims in order to help establish a history
of them towards flood plain extension efforts, and to provide information in
the event funding for drainage renovation pro3ects becomes available.
Chris Dickson, 4012 Prestwick, said standing water problems near his
house were due to runoff from nearby farm fields. Batt said better conveyance
of this runoff would alleviate the problem, and said he would request Council
direction to the City Engineer to investigate the problem and recommend a
solution.
The resident at 1710 Donovan said above-ground sump pump discharge as
recommended by the City would cause icing problems in the winter. Batt said
connection to storm drains could be a solution, but that such connection could
only be done with City permission.
�
Public Works Committee, July 26, 1993 Page 4
Vicki Sheppard, 1914 N. North Ave. , urged the City to study the existing
drainage system, saying better records would allow a better response to
� residents in case of similar problems in the future. She supported a Special
Assessment for drainage improvements.
Anton Rebel blamed contractors for building in problem areas and
cautioned the City to remember the recent flooding problem when making
decisions in the future. Bolger said current building and development
standards would prevent such situations from occurring in the future.
Bolger polled the Committee on their opinion regarding his list of items
to be considered tonight; Locke said the City's response to the matters
identified tonight should be immediate; Lawson agree, and said investigation
into declaring the Lakeland Park area a flood plain is necessary. Batt said
he would work with Lobaito and Walczak toward that end.
Committee consensus was that an ordinance regulating dumping was
necessary; a regular inspection program of culverts and drainageways for
physica:i condition and blockage should be instituted immediately; an
inspection of the Lakeland Park sanitary sewer manholes for proper elevation
and seals should be made; a house-by-house sump pump survey should be
undertake, and investigation into available funding for drainage improvements
and consideration of a Special Assessment should be made.
The meeting was ad3ourned at 9:53 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
�- ..
. . �� �l. ��c....t�fc.cf,�..r,
' . ��'� Anne M. Rodenkirch
Secretary, Public Works Dept.
L •