6. Discussion on stormwater runoff in the Bliss addition
Staff Report
Date of Meeting: May 2, 2018
To: City Council
From: Neil Soltis, Administrator
Re: Bliss addition stormwater
Background: Last fall Brad Bergo (19123 Layton) expressed concerns about the elevation and
potential stormwater runoff from the new house construction at 19107 Layton noting that he had
already experienced flooding the previous spring. During a February thaw Brad called Adam
Hawkinson about stormwater runoff flowing into his garage. The Public Works crew moved snow
away from the west side of the road at the base of the slope, moved snow away from the new
house location to minimize the runoff onto the road, and provide him with sandbags to redirect the
water. At the new house location the Building Inspector has required as a condition of occupancy
that the owners implements City Engineer Ryan Goodman’s recommendations on controlling any
runoff. The recommendations include the construction of a swale in the road right-of-way leading
to a storm inlet that will then direct the flow to a rain garden on the property and to construct a
berm in the road right-of-way that will impede the flow towards the Bergo property.
Controlling the runoff in this location is impacted by the slope on the west side of the property that
drops 20’ to the road over60+ feet of horizontal distance. With the snow melted it is apparent that
the ditch on the west side of the road has been reduced from material coming down the slope. This
same condition exists in other portions of the Bliss addition, particularly to the north and south of
this location. It should also be noted that the runoff from all of the properties to the north of the
Bergo property is directed towards the storm water culvert between 19189 and 19203. This culvert
requires annual cleaning. The maps that follow show the locations of the end of the culverts that
manage the stormwater runoff in the Bliss addition.
The City does not have a developed stormwater plan for the Bliss addition. It would be worth a
discussion about providing for the design of a stormwater plan and to seek watershed district
cooperation on the design and implementation of a plan that would reduce the stormwater
discharges into Big Marine Lake in multiple locations.
During the meeting with Lake Association representatives, the issue of road salt and its impact on
Big Marine Lake was also raised. The implementation of best management practices within the
road right-of-way could have a positive impact on the water quality.
19107