03-24-1988CITY OF RICHFIELD, MINNESOTA
CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
March 24, 1988
MEMBERS PRESENT: Steven Quam, Mayor; Ivan Ludeman; Martin
Kirsch; and Edwina Garcia.
STAFF PRESENT: James Prosser, City Manager; Steven
Devich, Administrative Services
Director; Mike Eastling, City Engineer;
Don Fondrick, Community Services
Director; Pete Willenbring, Mark Zabol,
and Bernie Mittelsteadt, Orr Schelen
Mayeron & Associates, Inc.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Quam at 7:33 P.M.
I) City Manager James Prosser introduced the topic of the
evening's discussion. He stated that a report was made in
response to a City Council request to conduct an analysis of
storm sewer-related problem areas within the City. The report
covers the events of the July, 1987 storm, findings of a storm
sewer capacity analysis, and proposed solutions.
II) Pete Willenbring, Orr Schelen Mayeron ~ Associates, Inc.,
made a presentation of the events of the July 23, 1987 flash
flood. He stated approximately 40 areas in the City were
effected by that storm. He added that a thorough hydrological
study was done on each area.
A Cost and Benefits Summary for various levels of rainfall
for the 40 areas was presented by Mr. Willenbring. A range of
four options was presented to the Council:
* Do nothing.
~ Provide homeowners with technical or financial
assistance on floodproofing home.
* Construct improvement to increase levels of
protection.
~ Encourage homeowners to purchase flood insurance.
Mayor Quam led a discussion of the potential solutions
available to the City council.
There were a number of residents in the audience from the
69th - 70th & Penn Avenue area.
Claire Berg, 6929 Penn Avenue, stated her curb was filled
with rainwater at today's approximately 1" rain. She has. had
three mayor floods from 1977 to 1987.
Study Session Minutes -2- March 24, 1988
Debra Olson, 6901 Penn Avenue, owner of an apartment
building, feels that the four options presented are not
acceptable for that area. She stated that structural flooding
happened in her area in 1977 and 1.987.
Alice Green, 70th and Penn Avenue, who resides at a four-
plex on the corner, could not get into the driveway because of
twelve inches of water in lower level during 1987 storm.
Steve Nelson, 6915 Penn Avenue, questioned a statement made
by Orr Schelen Mayeron & Associates, Inc. that the City had
liability in building up one area at the expense of another. He
stated that the crown of the road on Penn Avenue is higher than
the curb. Today's rain was up to the top edge of the curb. He
added that water was above the baseboards in bedrooms in 1987.
Pete Willenbring said that there was no statement about
liability. He stated that the City must be aware of where carry-
off water gets placed.
Marie Johnson, 6901 Penn Avenue, stated that the current
situation causes her to worry whenever it rains.
Joan Robinson, 6901 Penn Avenue, stated that cars floated in
the parking garage both in 1977 and 1987.
Joanne Christoperson, 6925 Penn Avenue, said she was flooded
in 1987. She stated that she pumped water out of her back yard
after today's rain. The issue to her is that some of these
properties are affected by relatively minor rains.
Lawrence Wozniczka, 6744 Wentworth, questioned the accuracy
of the analysis presented this evening by Orr Schelen Mayeron ~
Associates, Inc. His home has been flooded a number of times
during the past several years and is not shown on the chart.
Mr. Wozniczka raised a number of questions concerning various
development projects and how they affect flooding in the
community.
Fran Grey, 6901 Penn Avenue, stated that she lost a car in
the 1977 and 1987 flood, and also lost clothing in storage in
both cases.
Mayor Quam closed public input after all persons who wished
to speak had concluded.
There was general Council discussion of the possible options
available to the City.
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Council Member Ivan Ludeman inquired as to where the City
would get money to make storm sewer improvements. He stated that
the City should look at using liquor store profits to assist the
City in building storm sewer improvements.
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Study Session Minutes -3- March 24, 1988
City Manager James Prosser provided a number of options for
funding:
1) Storm sewer utility.
2) Liquor store profits.
3) General Obligation - Special Assessment Bonds - though
unlikely to pass.
4) Limited Federal and State Grants.
5) Use new development in community to help solve the
problem.
City Manager James Prosser said the issue is what actually is
the community willing to invest to protect the City to a given
level of rainfall. He recommended that this item be brought to
the Community Services Advisory Commission.
Council Member Ivan Ludeman was not in favor of sending it to
a Commission for review.
Mayor Steve Quam indicated if we maintain a standard equal to
the mid to upper level of what municipalities generally do, we
should look at some specific problem areas. However, the Mayor
feels that there are several other important expenditures
necessary before insulating for a catastrophic flood. Mayor Quam
wished to find a consensus solution greater than "do-nothing,"
but less that insulating for a 1~ flood.
Council Member Ivan Ludeman felt the improvements should
protect somewhere between 2X to 19K level.
. Mayor Quam stated that we should look at specific problem
areas and bring them up to an average standard of the community.
Council Member Edwina Garcia agreed with Mayor Quam.
A recommendation was made by Council Member Martin Kirsch to
bring this item to the Community Services Commission for review
and a recommendation back to the Council within 60 days. The
Community Services Commission should look at a 1S6 level for each
specific area, except for Wilson Pond improvements. There was
general consensus on this recommendation.
ADJOURNMENT
M/Ludeman, S/Garcia that the Study Session ad,3ourn.
Motion carried 4-0
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Study Session Minutes
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The Study Session was adjourned at 10:55~P
Date Approved: 4/11/88 __~~'L~
eve
March 24, 1988
~u~m,/r~ayor
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t ven evich, ctin City Clerk J s Prosser, City Manager
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