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City Council Minutes }Jovernber13,2006 Page 4 A COST NOT TO EXCEED $20,000 WITH FUNDING TO COME FROM THE STORM WATER MANAGEMENT FUND. MOTION CARRIED 4-0. . B. Royal Oaks Ridge The City Street Departrnent with the help of the City Engineer further reviewed the Deerfield III storm sewer, the pond and the pond outlet. Staff has come to the conclusion that the bog area between the inlet and outlet has become clogged with vegetative matter, which has raised the pond level about 30 inches. With the pond at the elevated level, the water fills the outlet of the Deerfield III storm pipe which could freeze up solid and stop the flow, or worst case scenario, break the storm sewer pipe. The solution is to clean the drainage ditch that runs from north to south along the east side of the pond and then install a culvert over the Northern Natural Gas line to control the water level. Staff has presented this proposal to the Technical Evaluation Panel (rEP) for their review and has received their approval. Councilmember Motin inquired if the homeowners had been contacted. Mr. HalS stated that two have been notified and that staff will visit with the remaining homeowners prior to any excavation. Mr. Maurer stated that the design of this project originally was with the pipe partially submerged and that it is now fully submerged with sediments, and that the pump is partially exposed and could freeze this winter. Mr. Hartrnan, a resident in the audience, stated that the original intent was to pipe the water in. He stated that he has spent quite a bit of money and landscaping around this area and is concerned about dropping the water level of this pond by 30". Mr. Maurer stated that it is a 36" pipe and that half of it is exposed. Mr. Hartman explained that he has been there for 12 years, that it is now aesthetically developed and paid for by the neighbors. The City Engineer stated that he has met with the TEP Committee and that this problem came to light after a rain storm. Staff has concerns of the culvert being exposed and freezing. . It was the consensus of the Council that staff members Phil Hals, Mark Thompson, and Terry Maurer meet with homeowners Mr. Hartrnan and Mr. Jackett to come up with a solution that maintains the pond and the integrity of the drainage system. 5.4. Health Insurance Update Barry Rosenberg and Rick Nelson of Minnesota Insurance Services di~cussed the renewal rates for health insurance for City employees. Based on the group's claims experience, it was determined that staying with BlueCross-BlueShield was the best option at this time. Lori Johnson stated that an Employee Assistance Plan will be added in 2007 through BlueCross- BlueShield at a cost of approximately $1,200. This will be funded through the tobacco settlement funds. The original renewal increase for health insurance was approximately 27%. By adjusting the plans slightly, the actual rate increases will be around 23% depending upon which plan the employee chooses. There are three plan options available from a $25 copay to a $500 deductible. The Council directed staff to research the city contribution so the Council could consider different options for the 2007 contribution. Lauren Wipper, Human Resources Representative, has surveyed other cities and found that there is no consistency in the contribution levels; the contribution in the cities surveyed varied from $500 to $850 per month. One item able to be summarized from the data was that the City's contribution to family coverage is slightly low. .