05-13-13 Public Works & Property Vacation

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PUBLIC WORKS AND PROPERTY VACATION MAY 13, 2013 4:30 P.M. Committee Members Present: Oliver Davis, David Varner, Valerie Schey, Gavin Ferlic Other Council Members Present: Tim Scott, Henry Davis, Dr. Fred Ferlic, Karen White, Derek Dieter Others Present: Cristal Briscoe, Chuck Bulot Agenda: Bill No. 18 -13 — Amend Building Code for Ground Water Test IDEM Update - Mike Schmuhl Update New Energy (Ethanol Plant) — Vertical Wells Oliver Davis, Chairperson of the Public Works and Property Vacation Committee opened the hearing with all members present and three items on the agenda. Each item related to thereafter effects of the rise in ground water levels after the closing of the New Energy Plant. The first Bill NO. 18 -13 amends the procedure to be followed by the Building Department before the issuance of a building permit when the area in question may be in an area prone to high water tables. Oliver Davis made a brief presentation emphasizing that the new requirements would prevent the kind of basement flooding problems faced by homeowners near New Energy. When operating New Energy pumped upwards of 6 million gallons of water a day which artificially lowered the water table. When plant operations ceased the water table rose to its natural level, flooding basements. During Council comments, Karen White said she was surprised this was not already a requirement. Tim Scott said it would prevent liability issues for the City. Derek Dieter agreed saying the bills requirements would prevent a similar situation. David Varner said the soil test should require only in flood plains. Council Attorney Cekanski - Farrand said the bill or any action taken needs to take into account water levels in the farm drainage ditches. Judy Fox, an attorney from ND representing 55 homeowners said the bill was a good first step. Chuck Bulot, the Building Commissioner, while supportive of the effort to mitigate such problems said the bill needs more work. Karen White and Henry Davis both agreed with Bulot, pledging to work together to make improvements. Ultimately Gavin Ferlic motioned to continue the bill to May 29th. Valerie Schey seconded an all agreed. In the interest of saving time. Oliver Davis asked Mike Schmuhl to forego his IDEM update until the 7:00 meeting. He agreed. Erich Horvath, Director of Public Works, proceeded to provide an update on what was being done to provide relief for the current residents. He explained the difficulty of predicting and managing ground water levels. He provided three (3) handouts to substantiate his narrative (Copies are on file in the Office of the City Clerk) One was a record of data collected from monitoring wells at the site. Eric advocated wells installed by the City to draw down water levels. The other two handouts detail well costs and an installation timeline. Brief ddiiscussifollowed before Chairperson Oliver Davis adjourned at 5:06 p.m L,onwerson and Property Vacation Committee