City Council - 07/27/1987 - Special Meeting M I N U T E S
SPECIAL EDEN PRAIRIE CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MONDAY, JULY 27, 1987 5:00 PM, CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS,
7600 Executive Drive
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT Mayor Gary Peterson, Richard Anderson,
George Bentley, Jean Harris, and Patricia
Pidcock
CITY COUNCIL STAFF PRESENT City Manager Carl J. Jullie, Assistant to
the City Manager Craig Dawson, Director of
Public Works Eugene A. Dietz, City
Engineer Alan Gray, Finance Director John
Frane, City Assessor Steve Sinell, Public
Safety Director Keith Wall , and Police
Captain Jim Clark
I . STATUS REPORT ON DAMAGE AREAS
The City Manager underscored the severity of the rainfall which had
occurred in Eden Prairie during the previous week. As an example, the s
City Offices recorded four inches of rain on July 20 and ten inches on
July 23 - 24. Other parts of Eden Prairie received even more rainfall
during these rain events. The amount of rain received was beyond any-
thing that the stormwater drainage systems could handle.
The Director of Public Works reported on the status of major problem
.:
areas. Along Fairway Drive, the water level had receded and the .pumps i
were removed at 9:00 AM July 27. Repairs to water and sanitary sewer
mains on the south side of County Road 1 east of Purgatory Creek had
been completed at 4:30 PM July 27. 0n Smetana Lane, three houses had
been isolated; access to the houses should be open by the end of
the day on July 28. A large ponding area on Anderson Lakes Parkway
west of Preserve Boulevard would take a long time to recede. There was
no way to make physical changes without threatening structures and
properties downstream at Neill Lake.
Improved public roadways had been cleared over the weekend. The
gravelled roads of Research Road, Mitchell Road, znd Staring Lane
had been restored by July 27. The rest of the gravel road system
would be restored by July 28. Much additional work world be needed
along roadways for such things as restoration of roadway embankments.
Round Lake had risen about 7 feet and pumping at the lake was
expected to begin by the end of the week.
The City Manager reviewed damage to private propErty. Most of the
damage was related to water and generally affected lower floors of
buildings, landscaping, and retaining walls. There had been a small
amount of structural damage to private buildings. Reports on damage
were coming to the City and to Hennepin County through its hot line
phone number. He reported that no properties were currently in a 4
flooding situation.
Councilmember Bentley reported that a pump was being set up along
Anderson Lakes Parkway late this afternoon. City Manager reported
t
• - 2 -
problems with children playing and swimming in the two ponded inter-
sections (Anderson Lakes Parkway/Preserve Boulevard, and Valley View
Road/Edenvale Boulevard) . Security at these areas would be
strengthened during daylight hours beginning Tuesday and run through
the end of the week. Councilmember Harris asked that continuous
efforts be made with the news media to publicize these problem areas.
II . REPORT FROM OTHER AGENCIES ON DISASTER ASSISTANCE
fi
Charles "Corky" Stevenson, Hennepin County Director of Emergency
Preparedness, reported on the County Assistance Program. The County
program consists of a pro-rated reassessment of homesteaded
property. A minimum of 25 homes with at least $5,000 damage is f
necessary to qualify for the program. Owners of homesteaded properties
get a pro-rated reduction off next year's taxes, and the City is f
reimbursed for the loss of revenue through this damage rebate program.
He stressed that there was not a lot of money involved here. To
apply, the City needed to adopt a resolution asking for a reassessment.
The resolution is sent to the Governor who then asks his executive
council to approve the request. Stevenson then highlighted the
Presidential Declaration Program. Under this program, the Federal
government would contribute 75% of the costs to repair or replace
public facilities. The Presidential Program is a comprehensive one,
and one easier to qualify because a larger area (the County or the
metropolitan area) is involved. Another relief program is
administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA) . It is a
low-cost loan available for residences and businesses. Qualifications
requires at least 25 homes or businesses in the County with greater
than 40% uninsured losses. This is the only program available to
- commercial entities. Stevenson concluded by speaking about coverage
on County facilities, and noted that the County was well informed on
the condition of its roads.
Stevenson then introduced Dave Lundberg, Planner with the Division of
Emergency Services, Minnesota Department of Public Services, and Howard
Strabela, the Metropolitan Coordinator for the Division of Emergency
Services.
Lundberg stated that damage assessment teams were in the field.
At this time, 15 Federal assessment teams were in the metropolitan
area, and they were uncovering more damage than they had expected.
The objective of the work was to go through all affected areas and
find as much information as possible. It was expected that a request
for ?residential Declaration would be made Thursday or Friday, and
Lundberg was cautiously optimistic for approval . Harris asked how
long an approval might take, and Lundberg said that optimistically,
it should occur within two to three days.
Councilmember Pidcock asked if there were any minimum monetary amounts
required for qualification. Lundberg said that there was not, and
that the disaster designation is a subjective process because dollar
amounts of loss will have differing impacts on local economies because
of the size of a community or its geographic region.
Bentley asked if there were any advantages to having local officials
contact others in the Federal government. Lundberg responded that it
is always helpful to show a broader base of support. He underscored
the Governer's interest in getting a Disaster Declaration quickly.
_ 3 _
The City Manager asked if there were any disadvantage or
disqualification to the City or homeowners who have begun repairs
prior to an inspection or a declaration. Lundberg said that
there should not be a disqualification. He advised that persons who do
begin these repairs make plenty of documentation and also take
photographs.
Lundberg said that one-stop service centers would be established if
necessary and would be well-publcized. Other programs available
included an individual and family grant program, in which those who
did not qualify for a SBA loan would have up to $5,000 available, and
a temporary repair and housing program, in which temporary housing
could be provided for up to one year.
Mayor Peterson asked if the term "areas of need" is liberally defined.
Lundberg responded that the term is rather narrowly defined to the
necessities for living.
Bentley stressed that all of these programs are contingent upon
a Presidential Declaration.
Strabela introduced himself to the Council . Bentley and Stevenson
commented that the County program is in process because the City
Assessor is gathering information for application to the County.
Lundberg noted that the City will need to submit an Indication of
Interest in the benefits of the Presidential Declaration. After that
is done, individual project applications may be made by the City. He s
stressed that the programs available through the Federal government
are separate: one is for individuals, and the other is for public
agencies such as the City. a
III . RESOLUTION NO. 87-205
Peterson noted that the reason for this Resolution was to formalize
the Mayor's Declaration of Disaster within three days of that i
Declaration (the Declaration was declared on Friday, July 25, 1987) .
Councilmember Anderson moved and Harris seconded to adopt Resolution
No. 87-205 entitled "A Resolution Requesting Homestead Properties
Damaged by the July 23, 1987 Rainstorm be Reassessed for Purpose of
Special Tax Credit" . Motion passed 5 - 0.
a
Anderson recited language in the City Code Sec. 2.09 which
stated that during a natural disaster requiring a Declaration of a
State of Emergency, the continuity of duly elected and lawful
leadership of the City and continuity of government required that the
Council meet forthwith. He questioned the leadership exhibited during
this affair. Pidcock thought that the notification of the emergency
was handled poorly. Bentley noted that the Code stated that an
emergency declaration can be done only by action of the full City
Council .
Councilmembers expressed frustration in not knowing how they were
supposed to function during the natural disaster. All acknowledged
that the people involved in the situation functioned well . Bentley
wished to point out that the Council could learn from this experience
and be better prepared in the future. Peterson questioned how the
emergency could have been handled any differently. ;
id
. - 4 -
F
Several Councilmembers suggested that an annual update would be
helpful regarding how they might best serve, or what their
responsibilities would be during emergencies. Peterson stressed the
difference between ,policy-making responses and operational responses.
The consensus of the Council was to have a study session on this
matter.
The Director of Public Safety noted that there may be conflict between
the language in the City Code and the Emergency Plan. He noted that
State and Federal Statutes prescribe procedure, and often identify the
Mayor as the responsible elected official during such situations.
Bentley said that the Mayor was an equal member of the Council .
Pidcock related her inability to make telephone connections to the
City. She suggested that Councilmembers have access to non-published
telephone numbers.
N. ADJOURNMENT
Bentley moved and Pidcock seconded to adjourn the meeting at 7:24 PM.
Motion carried 4 - 0.
Respectfully submitted,
Craig W. Dawson
Recording Secretary