Topsoil Requirement Update

As of December 2, 2013, MnDOT's Standard Specifications for Construction (Spec Book) will be converting to the 2014 edition.  While there is still a Topsoil Specification (3877), the 2014 edition no longer includes the Premium Topsoil Borrow spec that is identified in Ramsey's City Code.  As a result of this change in MnDOT's specifications, the City will need to consider revisions to City Code prior to the next construction season, as it will reference a specification that will no longer exist. 

The purpose of the topsoil ordinance was to promote water conservation by requiring a soil medium that had an improved water holding capacity.  The ordinance was initially adopted in April of 2009.  It was then revised early in 2010 to a more standardized specification (the MnDOT Premium Topsoil Borrow) but with a greater depth (increased from four [4] inches to six [6] inches), and then revised again in 2011 to reduce the required depth back to four [4] inches.  The theory behind a topsoil requirement is that a material with a greater water holding capacity, such as organic matter, would help reduce the frequency and duration of irrigation needed during the summer months to maintain a green lawn.

Since the initial adoption of the topsoil ordinance in 2009, the City has heard from a number of builders and developers that the requirement is cost prohibitive and that added to the perception that Ramsey was not 'development friendly'.  Thus, in 2012, Parks Staff developed four (4) test plots in North Commons to test and measure the effectiveness of various topsoil compositions and depths to determine whether the City's current requirement was supported by scientific data.  Parks Staff is currently compiling all the data obtained from that experiment and will be developing a cost/benefit analysis to assist with any potential revisions to the topsoil specification.
 
In working with the ordinance, Staff has also observed several things that should also be taken into consideration.  First, as the material is installed, it often times becomes very compacted as the equipment is driven back and forth over it.  Secondly, if an in-ground irrigation system is not adjusted to account for the greater water holding capacity of the soil, the topsoil requirement is not really accomplishing its intended goal (and as a result, homeowners have found themselves with very 'spongy' yards).  

Due to the change in MnDOT's specifications, this topic will be discussed with the Public Works Committee in December.  That discussion will likely focus on the change in the specification and to seek direction as to how to address it, such as by amending City Code to the closest new specification.  However, as this topic is revisited again, Staff may be recommending that the City look at incorporating a menu of options that could be implemented or made available, rather than just requiring the installation of topsoil.  Staff wanted to bring the EPB up to speed on this matter prior to the formal review of the topsoil requirement and to see if there was any initial input that the Board may have.

This is for information purposes only, no action is needed.