CR 93-40 Approval of Funds Storm Sewer
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.. - March 11, 1993 .y 0 ~ co I Council Report No. 93-40
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APPROVAL OF FUNDS TO CONSTRUCT
STORM SEWER LIFT STATION
proposed Aotion:
Staff recommends the following motion: "Direct. staff to install
storm sewer pumpin9 station in the rear yard of 237 Ashley Road
at a cost not to exceed $5.000. and to turn over maintenance and
operation of the lift station to adjacent oropertiesowners."
Overview.
In a previous capital improvement plan, staff used the concept of
listing all storm sewer problems areas that were known, and
identif ied a year when they would be reviewed. Two property
owners, one at 234 Holly Road and one at 237' Ashley Road
purchased their homes assuming that since the city had their
problem listed in the CIP, that the improvements would be
installed at no cost to them'. The city has since determined that
. the flooding situation effecting these property owners is a
.' private, and not a public problem. There now exists a situation
where residents purchased their homes expecting the city to
correct the flooding . problem, and '. city staff not wanting to
correct a private problem.
primary Issues to Consider.
o What is the city's liability in listing a private problem in
the CIP.
o How can this flooding be resolved?
o What are the residents willing to accept?
o How would this project be funded?
supporting Information.
o Background
o Analysis of Issues
o Alternatives
o Recommendation
L~~~~C Works Director
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_ ~ Council Report No. 93-40
Page 2
~ Detailed Backqround.
The rear yards of these two homes are a natural low point for the
drainage area between these two blocks. This area has on many
occasions experienced flooding problems that have resulted in the
basements of these two homes being flooded. During the 1987
storm however, other homes in this area were also flooded. The
1987 storm was the only flooding occurrence that the city
assisted these property owners in pumping the water out of their
rear yards onto the street.
Approximately two years ago the property owners of 234 Holly Road
and 237 Ashley Road. contacted the city to find out information on
their two homes prior to purchasing them. Each property owner
specifically asked if the city knew about a flooding problem that
existed in these rear yards and if the ci ty was planning on
correcting the problem. Both property owners were given the
information that the city had this problem listed in their eIP
for review in an upcoming year.
Analysis of Issues.
o What is the city's liability in listing a private problem in
the CIP.
~ It is hard to determine if the city would be liable for this
problem if it actually ended up in court. It is unlikely
however that this problem would ever end up in court due to
the small dollar amount associated with it. This problem is
more of a moral issue since the city appears to have given
the impression that the problems would be resolved.
o How can this flooding be resolved?
There is presently only one method that can be used to solve
this problem and that is installation of a storm sewer lift
station. The lift station would be installed in the low
point of the rear yards and pump water through a small force
main to the storm sewer system on Ashley. The lift station
would take approximately 4-5 days to install.
o What are the residents willing to accept?
In our last meeting with these residents it appears as if
they would be willing to assume the operations and
maintenance costs, including future replacement of the
components, if the city would pay for the initial
installation. The residents also indicated at the last
meeting that they would be willing to execute a document
. that would be recorded against their property stipulating
.- the responsibility for this storm sewer lift station.
~ ~ Council Report No. 93-40
Page 3
.~~ 0 How would this project be funded?
..., This project would be funded using maintenance funds
allocated in the general storm sewer maintenance budget.
Staff has reviewed this budget and has determined there is
adequate funding in this account.
Alternatives.
1) The first alternative the city has in this matter is to do
nothing. The do nothing alternative would definitely not
solve the residents problems, and may open the city up to
future legal action. If the city did .go to court on this
matter, we would probably spend .thousands of dollars and
still not have the problem solved.
2) The second alternative would be to spend $5,000 to install
this storm sewer lift station. This alternative would also
call for the residents to assume all future operations and
maintenance costs subsequent to the installation. This
would relieve the city of all future obligations in this
matter.
3) The third alternative would be for the city to install the
system and assume operations and maintenance costs. If this
" alternative was chosen the city would install pumps and
... . controls similar to what we currently have on our sanitary
sewer lift stations. This would be necessary so that we can
keep our overhead costs down by not having to stock
additional parts for many different pumps. This alternative
would also cost more than the estimated $5,000 of
alternative number 2, due to the additional cost involved in
purchasing pumps that are similar to the ci ty' s existing
sanitary sewer lift station pumps.
Recommendation.
Staff recommends that council approve alternate number 2 as
recommended under Proposed Action. This alternative would solve
the problem at a minimal cost to the city and prevent the city
from incurring any future operations and maintenance costs
associated with the pumping station. This alternative would also
serve to keep good relationships open with this neighborhood.
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