YMCA Dr Drainage Habitat HumaniMEMORANDUM
December 12, 2002
TO:The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM:Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT:Drainage Problem on YMCA Drive (Habitat for Humanity)
Public Works Director Mike Koch has met with Habitat for Humanity about their
drainage concerns on YMCA Drive. While each property owner is responsible to
convey stormwater through their property, some possible solutions to be implemented
by the property owner were identified.
MCVM/jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Gus Psihoyos, Assistant City Engineer
Deron Muehring, Civil Engineer
Michael A. Koch, Public Works Director
MEMORANDUM
TO:Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM:Gus Psihoyos, Assistant City Engineer
Deron Muehring, Civil Engineer
SUBJECT:Drainage Problem on YMCA Drive (Habitat for Humanity)
CC:Michael Koch, Public Works Director
November 27, 2002
INTRODUCTION
Deron and I met with Mr. Carl Robey, representing Habitat for Humanity, at the site
where the Habitat for Humanity recently constructed two homes on YMCA Drive. This
memo outlines our findings and recommendations:
BACKGROUND
To construct Hwy 20 and YMCA Drive, four parcels were acquired by the State and the
structures (three homes and an office building) shown in Figure 1 were razed. Figure 2
shows the site after the structures were razed, prior to the construction of Hwy 20 and
YMCA Drive.
Following the completion of the street construction project, the remaining portions of the
four parcels were combined into two parcels and offered for sale back to the original
property owners. One of the original owners purchased the two lots and subsequently
resold them to Habitat for Humanity.
Figure I illustrates that the construction project associated with Hwy 20 did not alter the
drainage in the vicinity of the Habitat's property. In addition, Figure 2 reveals that
vegetation remained on the lots.
DISCUSSION
The problem that Mr. Robey showed us is an erosion problem that affects both lots.
Because there is no vegetation (grass) established, soil is easily washed away resulting
in ruts across the lots.
The solution to the problem, and most erosion problems, is to establish vegetation over
the bare soil that is exposed to stormwater. Once grass is established, the erosion
problem will be solved.
Figure 1. Habitat for Humanity site prior to Hwy 20 reconstruction.
As stated in their correspondence to the City Council, Habitat for Humanity has tried on
more than one occasion to establish grass where the stormwater runs across the lots.
All attempts have failed. There are two ways to overcome this situation. Erosion
control blankets are available that protect the soil and grass seed from stormwater,
allowing the grass to establish itself. The installed price for a blanket would be between
$600 and $800 for the Habitat for Humanity site. This cost does not include the cost of
seeding. Another way to establish grass in this case would be to install sod. Sod
staked to the ground has been used in similar circumstances. This option would cost
approximately $700. These cost estimates are based on an area 24-feet wide by 100-
feet long. In either case, another cost would be associated with minor grading required
to establish a swale for the stormwater to cross the properties.
Figure 2. Habitat for Humanity site during Hwy 20 reconstruction.
We advised Mr. Robey that the construction of a swale and the subsequent sodding
would solve the erosion problem. Mr. Robey asked if the City could participate in this
solution.
While we expressed that we would like to provide more assistance than just our insight
into solving erosion problems, we informed Mr. Robey that each property owner is
responsible to convey stormwater through his/her property and because the City's
actions did not create the current problem, we could not endorse the spending of public
funds on Habitat's private property. Mr. Robey said he would report the essence of our
discussion back to his Board.