City Council Minutes 2018 03 05 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

City Council Meeting Minutes March 5, 2018 Page 5 of 8 Stevens noted the previous report had a number of assumptions that need to be validated by this monitoring. Public Comments Susan Robertson, 583 Sagebrush, stated she is concerned the previous report stated drainage work should be done at a minimum. She asked if the monitoring results will be public. She would like to know how soon the City can act if movement is imminent She asked how to keep people out of the area noting the signs are not working to keep people out. Patricia Duff, 675 West Sagebrush, noted her concern that people cannot sell their homes and that the economic liability is transferred to homeowners. The longer it takes to resolve this issue the more liability there is or the chance someone gets hurt. Councilmember Stolzmann asked if it would be possible to start dewatering at the same time as doing the monitonng. Fielding stated yes. Councilmember Stolzmann asked if it would detrimentally affect the monitoring. Fielding stated the only issue could be identifying where the groundwater level is originating, but it can be done. Mayor Muckle asked how quickly they can react if movement is happening. Fielding stated that would depend what the needed fix is and how fast the City could implement it; some fixes are easier to implement than others. He stated the timelines could vary based on getting a contractor on board and getting authorizations. Councilmember Maloney asked if this data is enough to give a good idea of what will happen Fielding stated there is a good indication the lower area will continue to move but there is not information on the middle or top ones. Duff stated the original movement stared at the bottom of the hill. She suggested the City may have to over engineer the solution and over spend to prevent future movement, to be safe, and to get ahead of the problem. Kevin Gebert, 587 West Sagebrush Court, lives in one of the affected houses, stated the City has not acted until he complained. Now three studies have been done but no action has been taken. He stated these houses have no value until this has been fixed. He stated this is not a natural hill. The City approved the hill and is responsible for this. Councilmember Maloney stated he agrees with the plan to continue monitoring and also begin dewatering at the same time. Fielding stated dewatering is a reasonable step but noted it is not likely to fix the problem on its own. Councilmember Loo asked what is the best scientific answer we can get for our residents. Fielding stated dewatering may create benefits but it also may change the study, either way the study can continue and he can continue to get more information to give a better answer