HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-08-1980 Council Minutes Special Meeting � - ,
CITY OF �RONO
Special Public Information Meeting held on 7 : 30 P.M.
January 8 , 1980 regarding North Shore Drive Sewage
Problems.
The Orono Council met on the above date with the following
members present: Mayor Van Nest, Counci�.members Butler,
Hurr, Massengale and Paurus. Also present were Mabusth,
Zoning Administrator, Cook, City Engineer, Gaffron, Septic
System Inspector and Gerhardson, Public Works Coordinator.
The following residents were present:
Mr. Albert Andrews, Jr. - 2625 North Shore Drive
rir . John Eastman - 2565 North Shore Drive
Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Hill - 2425 Scotch Pine Lane
Mr. & Mrs. Duane Luke - 2465 North Shore Drive
Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Marfield - 2455 Scotch Pine Lane
Mr. & Mrs. Callahan - 2545 North Shore Drive
Mr. St�ve Wilson - 2485 North Shore Drive
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Van Nest who
established the format of the meeting as informational
onit- .and that no decisions would be made. A short
�. sli6e presentation by Gaffron followed during which a
number of points were brought up:
1) The affected properties from Scotch Pine Lane to
Old Crystal Bay Road are within 1 , 000 feet of Lake
Minnetonka, which places them under regulation of the
Shoreland Management Act.
2) About half of the properties have existing drainfields
which are visibly discharging effluent to the surface,
are within 3 ' of the seasonal water table, or for other
reasons would be classified as non-conforming according
to the Shoreland Management Act.
3) In some cases, the failing systems cannot be repaired
due to site conditions , and would require some method
of collection and off-site disposal.
The meeting was then opened for discussion. Eastman
commented on the drainage situation of the 3.ower lots ,
stating that some restrictions to the natural outflow of
drainage on the Pihl property may be keeping water levels
abno�mally high in the area of their drainfie2ds. Council
directed staff to inv�stigate.
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SPECIAL MEETING OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL, JANUAP,Y 8 , 1980 PAGE 2 of 2
Andr�ws mentioned the severe sewage out flow onto his
property from the Pihl residence, noting that the City
staff was well aware of the problem. Wilson questioned
the costs of a municipal sewer versus the costs to bring
existing private systems up to code. Gaffron mentioned
that while repair of septic systems would generally be
less expensive than a municipal sewer, not all the
affected lots could support a septic system and holding
tank costs could be $2 , 000 - $3 , 000 per year. Hill asked
how many failures the City expected in the future?
Gaffron stated that while he could not judge this with
any reliability, probably all the systems would eventually
fail at some future time. Callahan questioned the costs
and type of sewer installation. Cook stated that costs
for the collector system would be fairly high due to the
unstable soil types in the area as weli as the high water
table and need for a lift station. The cost per unit
of a municipal sewer could be as high as $12 , 700 , but
probably somewhat higher or lower (this is a very rough
estimate) . This would be using cast iron pipe.
Other questions asked by the residents included: Why
were adjacent properties not included? Answer: They
generally had large enough areas of dry land to take
care of all future problems. The area is good for two
acre residential lots with private septic systems and
wells, and the City would allow only this type of
development under present laws. Is the proposed route
of sewer changeable - can it be moved to avoid trees , etc. ?
Answer: The drawing distributed is merely an idea of
approximately the location of the pipe. Before any
construction was commenced the City would work with each
homeowner to determine the best place for the route.
How realistic is the problem - i.e. are we going to have
to put sewer in eventually anyway and is the problem
serious enough to warrant action now? Answer: If the
residents do not want a collector system then the City
will strictly enforce the septic system ordinances.
If the City allowed a problem to persist, eventually a
higher authority (county, metro or state) would likely
force a solution on us. Will roots become a problem in
a sewer line in the area? Answer: Possibly, but to
a much lesser extent than with older types of pipe.
Could two houses use a shared sewer hookup down the
property line? Answer: We would allow separate pipes
in the same trench, but would not allow a wye from
two pipes into one because of the cleanout problems
which could occur.
Andrews stated he was for the sewer project, and that
his neighbor Pihl also was in favor of it. Marfield
stated that he generally was in favor of a project.
Mayor Van Nest stated that no poli would be taken at
this time.
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SPECIAL MEETING OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL, JANUARY 8 , 1980 PAGE 3 Of 3
It should be noted for the record that the City received
written responses from seven of the twelve residences
involved, and has had verbal comments from the rest.
Mayor Van �lest advised the residents that the City staff
was available to answer any questions they had, and that
the Council would take further action only at the request
of the residents. Mayor Van Nest further ordered staff
to deliver information materials and a copy of these
minutes to each of the twelve residents , and to possibly
mail an additional questionnaire and/or set up another
meeting for sometime in late February so the residents
could advise council of their intent. The Mayor urged
the residents to communicate among themselves and try to
reach a decision or plan of attack without the City
becoming involved at this point. He also thanked the
residents for coming forward to express their opinions
and concerns.
Meeting adjourned 9 : 15 P.M�
��r'"' ����-6 l✓ad�'r%'��'��
William B. Van rdest, P�avor
Walter B, r2assengale, Acting Mayor
Attest: ��
Walter . Benson, City Administrator