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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - SEPTEMBER 11,2000 13 e An audience member asked why Ingerson Road was a State Aid street. Mr. Brown stated that Ingerson Road was a State Aid street because it connects two major routes, Lexington Avenue and Highway 51. Mayor Probst noted that the City is allowed a certain amount of miles that may be declared MSA streets. He stated that this was important because it makes the City eligible to obtain State funding for Capital projects and maintenance. Mr. Brown presented the rain garden considerations as being water quality, whether they are feasible/what are the costs, what areas can they be built, the need to be clear of utilities, driveways, property lines and trees, and whether residents want them. Staff recomrnends two areas that should be considered for further study for rain gardens, Hamline south of Ingerson and the Carlton low point. It was noted that rain gardens will not eliminate the need for storm sewer. Mr. Brown indicated that this was not something that has been done by the City in the past. The Task Force felt that any rain gardens would be a unique improvement to resident's yards. Mr. Brown stated that in order for rain gardens to be affective, the ground must be relatively flat since they essentially create miniature ponds. He stated that in order to make rain gardens work in a sloped area, a retaining wall must be built around the garden which would be cost prohibitive. Mr. Brown advised the Task Force was mostly in favor of using rain gardens in some areas and recommend they be reviewed and analyzed for the project as a possible means of avoiding the e installation of a storm sewer system. An audience member asked who would maintain the rain gardens. Mr. Brown stated that this had been discussed by the Task Force and the consensus was that the City would maintain the rain gardens, Mr. Brown indicated that due to the clay condition of the soils in this location, the rain gardens would require small drainage pipes to allow the water to drain away. He indicated that the rain gardens used in the City of Maplewood had been installed in sandy areas. Mr. Brown added that the maintenance of the rain gardens would be new to the City and the City does not currently have the staff or financial resources for such maintenance projects. Ms. Swanson believed that the plants in the rain gardens would maintain themselves. Mr. Brown stated that there would likely be some maintenance required of the rain gardens. He added that there would also be a concern of ownership ofthe rain gardens and what would happen if a new homeowner wished to remove the garden. He stated that the City's position in such case would be that any existing rain gardens would have to remain in place. Mr. Brown provided a cross-section of a possible rain garden and explained how they deal with run-off drainage. e Mr. Brown presented the Hamline A venue closure considerations as being; to keep Hamline Avenue open and reconstruct, or the permanent closure of Ham line Avenue. He also reviewed