Mike Feldman
28 September 2004

Notes from drainage meeting with Alex Nagy.
These are not complete and any bias is my own.
More complete minutes forthcoming.

28 of 50 Survey forms returned; more than half of the 900 block of Daniel
reported water in basements.  This is a small volume of water compared
to the ponding in the intersection and back yards, but is a serious
problem to homeowners.

15 September storm 24 hr total was 2.13 inches at nearest gauge (John
and Willis?).  During the storm, the collection box at Prospect and John
was full.  That means there is not enough capacity downstream in the
30-inch storm drain under John from Prospect to Randolph.  When the level
in the collection box went down, the Daniel and Willis intersection
drained quickly.  Note that the soil was dry, and there was still
significant runnoff as opposed to infiltration.  Since storm sewers
are undersized in both the Chamber of Commerce Addition and downstream,
and since replacing sewers is major capital expense, surface drainage
is important for moderate to large storms.  Daniel & Willis is a low
spot slowed by back yard construction and landscaping in the 900 block,
and Prospect Ave crown forms a dam.

Short term work -- additional inlets at Daniel and Willis going out to bid
early October with construction expected in late November.  There is a concern
that adding inlets will allow the intersection to fill faster when overflowing,
but the 8-inch storm sewer diameter will probably be the limiting factor.
If it makes the intersection flooding worse, it can be undone.

Possibility of adding a "duckbill" backflow prevention device
at Daniel and Willis on the 8-inch line that runs along the 900 block
of W. Daniel.  This will limit "surcharge" (backflow) into
basements that have floor drains or sump discharges into storm drain.
http://www.redvalve.com/applications/wastewater/Backflow.html

City cost share for "Overhead Sewer Program" is available to a limited
number of qualifying properties each year at 75%/25% up to $3000.

Discussion of yard-drain solution to backyard ponding mostly postponed
pending participation of affected property owners -- backflow and accumulation
of debris/pollution at undrained pond a concern.

Other topics discussed:
	Sanitary sewer surcharge
	State Water Act and prescriptive rights of property owners
	Developement that increases runoff in entire watershed
	Enforcing code for drainage and landscaping
	Keeping drain inlets clean, raking leaves into streets
	Perspective on other drainage issues around the city