02-23-2004 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, February 23, 2004 • 7:00 o'clock p.m. (PUBLIC COMMENTS, Continued) Sansevere asked what the City and Council could do. Gappa stated that the overlay laid 10 years ago raised the road. The drainage runs towards the Nussbaum's home and property. Gappa agreed Mrs. Nusbaum was right, they do have a problem. He pointed out that the properties are very flat along this stretch and the water runs onto their lot from hardcover and construction further up Birch Lane. Gappa stated that a plan has been developed but the City would need to get neighbor's approvals to run pipe between their homes towards the lake. Sansevere asked if the water could be temporarily diverted until a long term solution could be put in place. Mayor Peterson asked whether an asphalt berm would help. Nusbaum pointed out that the City had constructed a berm in the past which has eroded and crumbled. She agreed that the problem offers no easy quick solutions, noting that the water runs from Birch straight onto their lot and is currently over ankle deep in their garage. She indicated that she and her family were petrified that the water will continue to erode their garage, driveway, and eventually landscaping surrounding their home. She commented that, thankfully, no new construction has taken place further up Birch to expedite this erosion, and pointed out that the • home next door is currently under construction and could provide an outlet for a drainage pipe now if the City could accelerate the process. She was hesitant to sandbag her property and lose access to her home, especially since offstreet parking is nonexistent along Birch Lane. Murphy stated that it sounded like an imminent problem to him waiting to happen and asked if the City could resolve this long term. Sansevere asked Mrs. Nusbaum if she had ever approached the City Council with her concerns. Nusbaum pointed out that this has been an ongoing problem over the past 10 years. She indicated that, at this point, she has somewhat lost faith that the City will resolve this issue. While she had approached the City and Council several times before regarding this issue, and once again when they built their home 4 years ago, she was told that there was no money available to resolve this issue. The Mayor indicated that she was aware that the Nusbaums had contacted the City several times in the past 10 years regarding this problem. She asked Gappa and Kellogg whether there was a short term fix and permanent solution that could be pursued. Gappa stated that come April and May the City sees these problems all over. He indicated that the City might be able to offset the costs for the project out of the Stormwater Management Fund if the neighbor allows a pipe. Sansevere suggested Gappa put this item on the fast track, visit the site as soon as possible, and get report on a solution back to the Council. PAGE 8 of 14