04-27-2020 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, April 13, 2020 6:03 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 18 of 25 Walsh said the access for people getting their snowmobiles through that area is a non-issue. He asked what the alternative solution would be for all the water that is rolling off the hill into the yard. Edwards stated the City would improve the drainage swale as it goes through the right-of-way or armor it with things such as erosion control matting and riprap down the right-of-way. After Walsh noted that the solution sounded expensive, Edwards responded that it would cost several thousand dollars to do that but that it was probably cheaper than what was paid to put a retaining wall in. Ms. Melissa Musgjerd noted the work was done by the landscaper to help with water erosion. It is not in the way of encroaching anybody being able to get to the lake. If they have to remove it, they will remove it. She said it is becoming more of a neighborhood feud where people want to see people spend more money to do things. Everything they have done to the property is to make it better. She understands Edwards’ comments about riprap. The retaining wall cost about $3,000, and they did that after the City took some trees out that were dying and the City was afraid they would fall on the house. Crosby said he looked at the site and, with the way everything is sloped, he believes it is probably a necessary retaining wall. He would be in favor of leaving the wall. Mr. William Griffith said there is plenty of room for a snowmobiler. hiker, or walker to get down to the lake if that is their desire. Also, the City has used an encroachment agreement to allow reasonable improvements within the right-of-way, and at 4051 Highwood Road there is an encroachment agreement which allows private improvement within the right-of-way. The agreements contain language that if the City wanted/needed to improve the right-of-way, the property owners would have to remove the encroachment and let the City take whatever action they wanted within the right-of-way. Johnson asked what the City does when owners make changes in a right-of-way without getting permission first. He said if the existing retaining wall is protecting this property but pushing the water to 4167, it should be removed. Crosby stated that 4167 is owned by the property owner just to the west of that parcel. With the slope that is present, the water would pretty much stay within the fire lane because the slope is so far to the east that the retaining wall acts more like a bounce-off. He said he does not think it will negatively affect 4167 even if the owner built on it. Crosby asked how long the wall would last with heavy water. Edwards said he has no idea how long. Johnson asked if the existing wall pushes some water to the west. Edwards stated that it crosses the midpoint of the right-of-way so it does push water to the west. Walsh said it does not go all the way to the other side of 4167 because it gets higher in elevation. Even if the City decides to leave it, it still needs an encroachment agreement. If the City decides to f ix the alley, that would go away. He asked if the City agrees with letting them keep the self-help in place with an encroachment agreement.