09-08-98 Worksession
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Study Session
September 8, 1998
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kirsch at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members Present:Martin Kirsch, Mayor; Susan Rosenberg; Russ Susag; Michael
Sandahl; and Kristal Stokes.
Staff Present :James Prosser, City Manager; Steven Devich, Administrative
Services Director; Thomas Ferber, City Clerk; Bruce Palmborg,
Community Development Director; William Fillmore, Liquor
Operations Director; Michael Eastling, Public Works Director; Dan
Scott, Public Safety Director; Karen Shanberg, Wood Lake Center
Manager; and Lourdes Sanchez, Community Development
Technician.
Item # IDISCUSSION OF RESULTS OF INVESTIGATION INTO BASEMENT
SEEPAGE PROBLEMS IN 6700 BLOCK OF THOMAS AVENUE AND
SHERIDAN AVENUE. S.S. LETTER NO. 43
Public Works Director Eastling reviewed Study Session Letter No. 43 regarding the
investigation into basement seepage problems in the 6700 block of Thomas Avenue and
Sheridan Avenue.
Pete Willenbring, WSB and Associates, Inc., presented a summary of results of his
investigation of this problem including:
x
Description of the problems
Study Session Minutes-2-September 8, 1998
x
Notes and observations regarding the problem
x
Analysis of the topographical, precipitation, groundwater, and soil data
x
Review of the following improvement alternatives:
1.Construct sump pump and drain tile system around the foundations of
structures experiencing problems with wet basements.
2.Waterproof structure utilizing waterproofing materials to prevent water from
working its way through porous block, cracks, or the basement floor.
3.Install a regional drain tile system to lower the water table for the entire area.
4.Install a well point dewatering and/or irrigation system for Jefferson Park to
reduce the impact of infiltration through soils in the park and/or areas up-
gradient of the park property.
5.Prohibit watering lawns in the up-gradient and problem areas to reduce the
potential for further groundwater infiltration.
Mr. Willenbring summarized his findings and conclusions as follows:
Residents in the 6700 block of Sheridan Avenue and Thomas Avenue are
experiencing wet basement problems, primarily due to the presence of a layer of lean clay
that is present at or slightly above many of the basement floor elevations present in the
study area and due to the absence of foundation drain tile systems for their structures.
Surficial topography also contributes to this problem as these homes are located on a
plateau which is a the base of hills that are present both west and north of the plateau.
Stormwater runoff that infiltrates from all of these areas, both west and north of this
plateau, would tend to direct infiltrated surface water toward the plateau.
A review of the changes to the park as a result of an improvement project in 1992
indicates that although some increased infiltration could take place as a result of these
improvements, these improvements did not cause the problem and could only have a very
minor impact on elevating groundwater elevations in this area. It also seems apparent that
the changes to the park constitute a reasonable use for the property. Computations
indicate that any increase in infiltration would be anticipated to be very small, and if such
an increase did occur, a 10-gallon per minute sump pump could pump away the additional
infiltrated water generated over the park area in less than 30 days.
A review of precipitation data indicates that the major problem years (1987, 1993, and
1997) had rainfall amounts in the top 20% of the wettest years on record. Based on this
information, I believe it is reasonable to infer that the problem with wet basements is for
the most part related to heavier than normal precipitation patterns as opposed to any
changes to the park.
Our observations indicate that the area contributing water to this perched water table
includes more than a five-acre within the park. The area likely extends over an area of at
least 30 to 50 acres to the west and 10 to 20 acres to the north of this study area.
The impact of the grading activities on the park over that of the park in its pre-1992
condition indicates that the area in the vicinity of the ice skating rink has the potential to
increase infiltration over that which previously could have occurred in the area (.25 acres)
but that the remaining 4.75 acres of park area should not contribute significantly greater
Study Session Minutes-3-September 8, 1998
amounts of infiltrated water to the groundwater table, particularly after the park has been
utilized for a few years following the park reconstruction.
Mr. Willenbring made the following recommendations:
In order to address the wet basement problem in this area, it is recommended drain
tile and sump pump systems be installed at the foundation of structures experiencing
problems. The other options identified within this memorandum may have the potential to
reduce the magnitude or frequency of the problem, but do not have the ability to provide
the level of assurance for a dry basement that the foundation drain tile system would
provide.
The following representatives from the neighborhood were present to address the
City Council on this issue:
Shell Meehl, 6713 Thomas Ave.
Kathy McKeon, 6717 Thomas Ave.
Terry Garrity, 6721 Thomas Ave.
Judy Regenscheid, 6725 Thomas Ave.
Cecelia Melchior, 6741 Thomas Ave.
Chris Bowring, 6737 Thomas Ave.
The neighborhood representatives made a presentation regarding some of the
following issues related to water seepage into their basements:
x
history of the problem and contact with the City
x
told not eligible for city grant because it was groundwater and not surface water
x
sump pump installation and usage
x
disagreement with some of the study data relating rainfall to problem
x
reduction in value by assessor due to wet basement
x
research regarding other agencies, codes, statutes, and the regrading of
Jefferson Park
x
precipitation data and interpretation related to the groundwater problem
x
possible additional alternatives and funding sources
x
request to work further with the City to resolve the problem and further explore
the alternatives
Public Works Director Eastling stated two issues: 1) Whether Jefferson Park
caused the problem and, 2) Who is responsible for groundwater problems versus surface
water.
Council Member Stokes discussed the following issues:
x
Determination of whether the problem was caused by the park construction - if
so, can it be fixed?
x
Concern about liability issues if some homes receive city assistance.
x
Precedent setting - there are other areas that have groundwater problems.
Study Session Minutes-4-September 8, 1998
x
Interest in whether the Richfield-Bloomington Watershed Management
Organization would have funding available for this type of issue.
Public Works Director Eastling suggested that the staff would further review the
options and come back to the Council with alternatives and costs.
City Manager Prosser noted that there appears to be some disagreement as to
whether the park caused the problem. He suggested that staff come back to the Council
with ideas and options which could address the potential of changes in the park to see if
that solves the problem and to also identify potential funding sources for sump pumps. He
indicated staff would continue to work with the neighborhood on this issue.
Item # IIDISCUSSION OF SYSTEMATIC MARKETING PROCESS FOR CITY OF
RICHFIELD. S.S. LETTER NO. 44
City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 44 regarding the
systematic marketing process that the City has undertaken.
Jay Lipe, consultant from Emerge Marketing, made a presentation regarding how
he has worked with City staff regarding the following marketing issues:
x
why the marketing process is needed
x
what could happen if no action is taken
x
a summary of the marketing process
x
marketing objectives
x
progress to date
Community Development Technician Lourdes Sanchez reviewed and presented a
summary of the Community Development Department Marketing Plan.
Wood Lake Nature Center Manager Karen Shanberg reviewed and presented a
summary of the Recreation Services Department Marketing Plan.
Public Works Director Eastling reviewed and presented a summary of the Public
Works Department Marketing Plan.
Liquor Operations Director Fillmore reviewed and presented a summary of the
Liquor Operations Department Marketing Plan.
Public Safety Director Scott reviewed and presented a summary of the Public
Safety Department Marketing Plan.
Administrative Services Director Devich reviewed and presented a summary of the
Administrative Services Department Marketing Plan.
Study Session Minutes-5-September 8, 1998
City Manager Prosser reviewed and presented a summary of the
Executive/Legislative Department Marketing Plan.
The City Council discussed additional audio and video marketing ideas for use on
cable channel 34.
Item # IIIDISCUSSION OF RESPONSE TO METROPOLITAN AIRPORTS
COMMISSION PROPOSAL FOR MITIGATION OF NORTH-SOUTH
RUNWAY IMPACTS. S.S. LETTER NO. 45
City Manager Prosser reviewed Council Letter No. 45 regarding a response to the
Metropolitan Airports Commission proposal for mitigation of the north-south runway
impacts. He discussed the following alternatives:
x
Request that MAC, FAA and EQB agree not to take final action approving the final
EIS (this would also mean that MAC would agree not to proceed with any
construction) until state legislative and/or FAA approval of necessary funding for
implementation of the mitigation plan.
x
Request MAC, FAA and EQB approve a tolling agreement with the City of Richfield.
The tolling agreement would provide that the signatories would work to identify an
appropriate funding package for the mitigation plan and the MAC would agree not
to initiate construction until such a financing plan had been approved by
appropriate agencies.
City Manager Prosser, along with CARE Team members William and Audrey
Duffee, 6515 18th Avenue, reviewed the presentation of the MAC proposal by John Himle
at the last MAC meeting.
Discussion followed regarding the status of negotiations, negotiation strategy, low
frequency noise mitigation, noise impacts on all areas of Richfield including the west side,
focus and purpose of the Mitigation Panel, MAC staff response to Richfield requests, and
counter proposals. It was the consensus of the City Council that a Richfield Proposal be
drafted in the same format as the MAC Proposal stating Richfield’s position and
alternative proposals on these issues.
Item # IVDISCUSSION OF STATUS OF AIRPORT RELATED ITEMS. S.S. LETTER
NO. 46
City Manager Prosser reviewed Council Letter No. 46 regarding the status of
various airport related issues. He specifically discussed the following issues:
Study Session Minutes-6-September 8, 1998
x
MAC plan for a new 66th Street/Highway 77 interchange and its potential impact
related to the mitigation plan.
x
MAC has initiated “quick take” condemnation of City park land in New Ford Town
and Rich Acres.
Discussion followed regarding negotiation and strategies related to these issues.
Council Member Sandahl stated he would contact Congressman Martin Sabo
regarding assistance to get the FAA to recognize and meet with the City on the low
frequency noise issue.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 10:12 p.m.
Date Approved:
Martin J. KirschMayor
Thomas P. FerberJames D. Prosser
City ClerkCity Manager