December 9, 2008
RE: 2009 Street Reconstruction Projects - Resident Questionnaire
Dear Resident:
The City of Edina has initiated the process of roadway and utility improvements for the
summer of 2009 for your neighborhood. The first step was to hold an open house on
October 9, 2008, for you to become familiar with the process.
The next step is to get feedback from you regarding a number of key components of the
project. The information you share with us is essential in determining certain aspects of
the project that may be constructed.
The following information explains the questionnaire that is enclosed. An approximate
construction area map is also included. After reading this letter completely, please
complete the questionnaire and return by December 19, 2008, in the self-addressed
stamped envelope.
Sump Pump Discharge Service Line
Do you use a sump pump or have you considered installing one? Do you currently have
a footing drain?
The project could include a drain tile system in some streets to collect
not only groundwater and storm water runoff but also discharges from private sump
pumps.
If the Council chooses to proceed with this project and you have a sump pump or
footing drain, a service connection pipe could be extended to the right-of-way (ROW)
line in front of your home. From the pipe end at the ROW line to your house, you would
be responsible for installing an underground pipe and any plumbing modifications
needed to connect it to your sump pump at your own cost, using your own contractor.
Using the service line can help mitigate the following problems:
• Water re-entering your basement when discharged onto your yard. This
water can also cause problems for adjacent yards and basements.
Discharging into the street causes erosion of the street surface and icing in
cold weather.
• Discharging this water into the sanitary sewer system is prohibited by City
ordinance and State Statute. You are subject to a fine.
• These discharges increase the fees the City is charged to treat its sewage
and the higher cost is reflected back to you in your sewage bill.
2009 Street Reconstruction Projects - Resident Questionnaire
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If you currently have a sump pump, footing drain or are considering adding a sump
pump someday, please complete the sump pump discharge service line section of the
enclosed questionnaire.
It is important that you indicate this now so a service connection pipe can be planned
with the project.
A drain tile system may not be available on all streets, depending on
final street design and topographic features.
Private Underground Utilities
Some residents install private underground utilities in the City owned boulevards. These
utilities are usually lawn irrigation or pet containment systems. Utility and roadway
reconstruction can damage these utilities. If they are damaged, they will be repaired as
part of the project. However, if the reconstruction contractor knows the location of these
private utilities, they can attempt to avoid damaging them.
If you have an underground private utility, please tell us in the private underground
utilities section of the questionnaire.
Resident Street Lights
As part of all reconstruction projects, staff typically asks if residents favor upgrading
their street light system. In some cases, the street light system is at the end of its useful
life and requires upgrading. We do not know yet the condition of your specific street light
system; an evaluation will be done later on. Funding for street lights are currently
through special assessments. The typical cost is approximately $2,000 to $3,000 per
residential equivalent unit (REU).
In the street light option section of the questionnaire are examples of the different styles
of street lighting that could be installed in your neighborhood. Please rank your style
preferences.
Pedestrian Issues
As part of all reconstruction projects, staff typically asks if residents see a need to add
public sidewalks to the neighborhood. Funding for sidewalks is split between special
assessments, City of Edina and the Edina School District (if the sidewalk falls within a
school walking zone). The typical cost to partially add sidewalks to a neighborhood is
$300-$600 per REU (i.e. to add a couple blocks of sidewalk to a multi-block area).
If you know of a problem at a pedestrian crossing, missing sidewalk or other pedestrian
issues please tell us about it in that section of the questionnaire.
Local Drainage Problems
Does storm water run-off stand in the street or sidewalk in front of your house? As part
of the storm sewer and drain tile design process, we would like to know if this or similar
situations are occurring in your locality. If so, please describe it in the local drainage
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problems section of the questionnaire. We will review them for possible corrective
action.
Questions
If after reading this letter you have additional questions, please contact me at 952-826-
0445.
Sincerely,
Jack D. Sullivan
Assistant City Engineer
Enclosed: Property Owners Questionnaire
Neighborhood Reconstruction Map
