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City Council Minutes Page 2 <br />July 5, 2005 <br />----------------------------- <br />4. Open Mike <br /> <br /> No one appeared for Open Mike. <br /> <br />5.1.A. Trout Brook Farms Wetland Complex <br /> <br /> City Engineer Terry Maurer provided a brief history of the Trout Brook Farms wetland <br />complex and how the pipes were designed. Mr. Maurer indicated that the wetland was never <br />intended to be an actual pond with pristine water; it was designed to be a type 3 wetland for <br />drainage/detention of water with some vegetation. Mr. Maurer stated the high water level <br />was caused by a combination of a pipe becoming clogged and of a pipe settling. Mr. Maurer <br />explained that the pond level can be restored to about a foot of water above its current <br />lowered level without adversely affecting the drainage of other properties. Mr. Maurer noted <br />that steps will be taken to ensure that the pipes do not settle or become clogged again. Mr. <br />Maurer also apologized if residents believed this was an actual pond because the plugging <br />problem had not been taken care of sooner. <br /> <br /> Jennifer Mueller, 18306 Tyler Street NW – stated that on behalf of the residents of Trout <br />Brook Farms, they would like to see the pond restored to its previous water level. Ms. <br />Mueller handed out pictures of the pond before and after. She indicated that trees, <br />vegetation, and wildlife died due to the sudden decrease in the pond’s water level and that <br />there is a horrible smell surrounding the pond. She also indicated that residents contacted <br />the DNR and the County and neither entity knew anything about the pond being drained. <br />Ms. Mueller also indicated that she contacted the County Assessor’s office and was told that <br />residents on the pond were assessed higher property values because of their view of the <br />pond. <br /> <br /> Ms. Mueller presented the Council with a petition of 52 names of residents who would like <br />the pond restored to its previous water level. <br /> <br /> Mayor Klinzing questioned how quickly residents will see an improvement in the area. Mr. <br />Maurer indicated that improvement should be seen in a couple weeks as vegetation begins <br />to green up around the area. <br /> <br /> Councilmember Dietz stated that the Council should write a letter to the County Assessor <br />indicating that this was never intended to be a pond and if residents living on or near the <br />drainage pond were assessed higher property taxes that their taxes should be reconsidered. <br /> <br /> Trisha Shamp, 18300 Tyler Street NW – indicated that the city’s solution to this problem <br />is unacceptable as she and her husband bought their home because of the pond view and <br />they paid a higher lot premium. She stated that they were led to believe it was an actual <br />pond from D.R. Horton. Ms. Shamp also indicated that her property taxes are higher <br />because of the pond view. <br /> <br /> Mr. Maurer indicated that normally large companies such as D.R. Horton have two sections <br />of the company, one for construction and one for marketing. Mr. Maurer stated both D.R. <br />Horton and their engineering firm were actively involved in the design of this type 3 wetland <br />and so they knew it was not meant to be an actual pond. <br /> <br /> Steve Larsen, Brooklyn Park – indicated that he and his wife are looking to build a home <br />in Trout Brook Farms and they are being charged a higher lot premium because of the pond <br /> <br />