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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—May 10, 2010 11 f 7.C. Sand Companies, Inc. Request for a Letter of Support for Housing Tax Credits with the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency for up to $575,000 in Public Assistance as Proposed in the May 10, 2010, Memorandum (continued) Ayes: Mayor Harpstead, Councilmembers Holmes, Grant and McClung Nays: Councilmember Holden D. Sanitary Sewer Repair—Venus Avenue Easement Civil Engineer Kristine Giga stated Staff has identified a sanitary sewer repair that is needed on the main that is located parallel to the Elmer L. Anderson Trail Connection south of Venus Avenue. Public Works crews encountered difficulties getting the camera through the offset joints in the pipe. There is a segment of main line approximately 60-feet in length that has not been televised, since the camera cannot get past the offset joints. Staff recommends that this segment be repaired, along the south 40 feet of the pipe, which was televised; this segment of pipe is cracked, and there is evidence of root intrusion. Since this area is currently under construction, it is the appropriate time to make these repairs. Two alternatives were provided to the contractors to bid. One alternative is to replace the main line in its current location. This alternative will require removal of nine large cottonwood trees. The second alternative is to construct a new sewer line around the large trees by constructing two new manholes. The main line would have a jog, which is less desirable from a maintenance perspective, but would minimize tree removal. Once all of the construction is completed in this area, Staff will work on a tree replacement plan to mitigate the trees removed for trail construction, erosion correction, and sanitary sewer repair. Councilmember Grant asked if the pipe could be adequately repaired without removing the trees or injuring the trees. Civil Engineer Giga stated Staff did not see a problem with realigning the pipe without significant damage to the trees. Councilmember Grant clarified the pipes in this area are clay pipe and not PVC pipe and PVC pipe would be used to fix this segment. Civil Engineer Giga stated this was correct. Mayor Harpstead stated cottonwoods are not trees that are protected by the City. He stated hardwood trees could be planted to replace these trees if they are removed. Councilmember Holden stated neighbors along the trail would no longer have a barrier between them and the trail if these trees were removed. Also these trees add to the trail because they are large. MOTION: Mayor Harpstead moved to Authorize Staff to Contract with the Lowest Provider to Repair Sanitary Sewer Main on the Venus Easement in It's Current Location with the Removal of the Nine Cottonwood Trees. The motion failed due to a lack of a second.