Consider Recommendation to City Council Authorizing Preparation of Plans and Specifications for 2022 Argon Street Drainage Improvements

Purpose:
The purpose of this case is to consider providing a recommendation to the City Council to authorize preparation of plans and specifications to construct drainage improvements in 2022 to address drainage issues along Argon Street north of Alpine Drive.
 
Background:
Halland Acres was platted in 1972. A copy of this plat is attached for reference.  Over the years, Staff have been contacted by several property owners in this subdivision regarding various drainage concerns. In general, stormwater runoff from City right-of-way’s flow through various areas of several properties along Argon Street and Barium Street between Alpine Drive and 154th Lane, and to the best of Staff’s knowledge none of these areas are encumbered by drainage and utility (D&U) easements.
 
Most recently, Staff were contacted by Dan Ridgeway, property owner of 15410 Argon Street.  Mr. Ridgeway informed Staff that the previous homeowner replaced the septic system shortly before Mr. Ridgeway purchased the home in the Spring of 2017.  Staff researched this and found that the septic system was replaced in 2012 and an inspection was performed in 2016.
 
On October 3, 2016, Public Works Staff met with the previous property owner to discuss his stormwater runoff concerns.  This property owner told Staff that stormwater runoff leaves the drainage easement along his rear property line and flows toward his walkout entry.  Public Works Staff adjusted the grades in the back yard shortly after this time and left the grade above the pipes high, which causes melt water to back up during the spring thaw.
 
On March 14, 2019, Public Works Staff removed snow from Mr. Ridgeway’s back yard after he called to say he pumped about 200 gallons from his basement and asked if someone could come out to remove snow from his backyard to help alleviate his drainage issue.  He informed Staff that the City secured a drainage easement in his back yard a couple of years ago, which Staff could not verify, and that water was overflowing the easement area and entering his home through his walkout entry door. 
 
On March 18, 2022, Public Works Superintendent Grant Riemer visited the property after Mr. Ridgeway called to say water was entering his walkout entry door again. After this occurred, Mr. Ridgeway asked City Staff to complete a drainage improvement project to prevent water from entering his home again.
 
In April of 2022, Engineering Staff surveyed this property, as well as the Argon Street right-of-way including drainage ditches and a culvert that crosses under Argon Street and directs all stormwater runoff east of Argon Street to the west side of Argon Street towards Mr. Ridgeway’s property. 
 
On May 11, 2022, Public Works Staff delivered and placed sand bags outside the walkout entry door to Mr. Ridgeway’s home due to a heavy rain event forecast for that evening. To date, these sand bags have worked well to prevent stormwater runoff from entering the home during more than one heavy rain event.
 
Since collecting topo survey data, Engineering Staff explored drainage improvement options within this neighborhood and have determined that the most feasible and cost-effective improvement project would be to construct a storm sewer pipe with manholes and ditch inlets along one side of Argon Street, and to outlet the storm sewer into the existing stormwater pond south of Alpine Drive between Argon and Barium Streets.
 
A recommendation is now being requested from the Public Works Committee as to whether the City Council should authorize Staff to prepare plans and specifications for a 2022 drainage improvement project along Argon Street. If the Committee recommends City Council approval, Staff will present a case to Council on June 28, 2022, seeking Council authorization to prepare plans and specifications.  

Staff anticipates 20 minutes will be required to present this case and respond to questions. 

Observations:
Mr. Dan Ridgeway, property owner at 15410 Argon Street, plans to attend this meeting, as do one or more neighbors.   

Figure 1 shows 2-foot contours across the broader neighborhood area.

Figure 2 shows 2-foot contours, addresses and aerial images along Argon Street.
 
Alternatives:
Alternative #1 – Motion recommending City Council authorization to prepare plans and specifications for 2022 Argon Street Drainage Improvements.  
 
Alternative #2 – Motion of other.     

Staff will prepare plans and specifications as part of their normal duties.

A detailed construction cost estimate will be developed based on the plans prepared by Staff, but as of today Staff estimates project costs will range between $325,000 and $500,000.  

Staff recommends approving Alternative #1.  

Dependent on discussions.