City Council Meeting Date: September 6, 2022
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: Cole Johnson, Water Quality Technician
Sean Simonson, Engineering Manager
David E. Bennett, Public Works Director/City Engineer
Title
Review and Discuss Draft Surface Water Management - Flood Control Policy as it relates to the Neighborhood Flooding Issues Discussion.
Body
Action Requested:
Review and Discuss Draft Surface Water Management - Flood Control Policy as it relates to the Neighborhood Flooding Issues Discussion
Summary Report:
Northfield City Staff began discussions with City Council at the November 9, 2021 City Council Work Session to inform them of localized flooding issues throughout the City and begin conversations about strategies on how to mitigate these problems. The proposed mitigation strategies presented to Council ranged from storm sewer infrastructure modification, property acquisition, and home modification of private property.
City Council appeared to be mostly in favor of the storm sewer infrastructure modifications but had some reservation and questions about the modification and/or acquisition of private property. These questions were answered at a follow-up presentation on March 1, 2022. Summary of the questions are provided below.
1. Resident feedback on the home modification proposals.
a. 2 open to discussion/participation
b. 2 on board and willing to participate
c. 1 not willing to participate
2. What other cities are doing related to flooding?
a. A detailed spreadsheet of the City responses to the questionnaire has been included (Attachment 1).
3. Insurance and City liability related to modifying private property.
a. City not responsible for acts of nature.
b. Liability for home conversions would transfer to the contractor if flooding occurred due to poor workmanship.
c. Insurance suggested City have the homeowner sign a waiver stating the property owner cannot hold City liable if flooding occurs after improvemen...
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