All right, we'll call the meeting to order. Please stand if you're able for the pledge of >> allegiance to the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice [groaning] for all.
>> Good evening and welcome everyone. Uh brief you call the role please. >> Mayor King >> present. >> Council member at large Austin >> present. Council member Waller, >> present. >> Council member Baskin, >> present. >> Council member Posma, >> present.
>> Council member Hely, >> present. >> Council member Obala. >> Council member Fischer, >> present. >> Mayor King, we have a quorum. >> Thank you. Item number one is the adoption of our agenda. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I opposed.
>> Motion carries. Item number two is approving our minutes from a July 6th, 2026 meeting. >> So moved. Second. All in favor? >> I >> opposed. That also carries. Uh item number three is our consent agenda. Need a motion.
>> So move. Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> opposed. >> The motion carries. Item number four, recognitions and awards. We're recognizing four firefighters today. Josh Kunzie, Matt Weise, Matthew Hatton, and Ian Cuso. I want to read a letter
that I got from uh council and I got from the mayor or um Sheriff Sanvic Mo County Sheriff. Says, "Mayor King and esteemed members of the Austin City Council. I'm writing to express my sincere appreciation and commend the members of the Austin Fire Department who responded to a mutual aid request for a fast water rescue in Leroy,
Minnesota on Wednesday, a uh July July 8th, 2026. During a significant flooding event, the Austin Fire Department was requested to assist with the rescue of a family of four, and their pets who had become trapped in their home by rapidly rising flood waters from the upper Iowa River. Firefighters Josh Kuni, Matt
Weise, Matthew Hatton, and Ian Crusoe responded with the department's water rescue equipment and successfully assisted in the rescue of two adults, two juveniles, and seven family pets. The response to Leroy was particularly challenging due to the widespread flooding affecting roads throughout both Austin and Moore County. As conditions
continued to deteriorate, the crew was required to rep repeatedly a access uh changing or assess changing circumstances and alter their route to safely reach the incident. Despite these obstacles, they remain focused, adaptable, and committed to the mission. While providing mutual aid is a routine
part of emergency services, the professionalism, dedication, and teamwork demonstrated by Josh Kuni, Matt Weise, Matthew Hatton, and Ian Caruso deserve special recognition. Their expertise and willingness to respond beyond their jurisdiction were instrumental in the successful outcome
of this rescue. Their actions exemplify the highest standards of the Austin Fire Department and reflect great credit upon the city of Austin. On behalf of the Mor County Sheriff's Office, I extend my sincere gratitude to these firefighters and to the Austin Fire Department for their continued commitment to protecting
lives throughout our region. Please accept my appreciation for supporting a department whose members consistently answer the call whenever and wherever they are needed. respectfully Steve Sandicmore County Sheriff. So, I just I got that letter and I can't help but recognize you folks publicly uh you four
uh that's uh I know it is, you know, it's out of our general jurisdiction. Like you said, you usually do mutual aid calls, but this was something that obviously impacted the lives of those folks and their seven pets. So, uh I understand maybe a couple years back we got some new water rescue equipment
probably came in pretty handy uh for that event. So, if you guys want to step before the folks here and and uh we'll come down and maybe Trish will get a picture. I certainly like to. If any other the fire, fire, and PD is here. It's great to see that kind of support for you folks. I know every day is your
heroes every day. But, uh to have something like that, we can't help but recognize that extra effort. So, appreciate it, Matt, Ian, Matthew, Josh. So why don't you come forward? [applause] [applause] understand [laughter]
>> appcate. >> And again, remarkable that the folks came to support him. I know these folks are generally probably off duty right now, so I appreciate the time to come and help us uh with that recognition. Thank you. Uh on to number five, a presentation for Crystal from Crystal
Vanderender, parenting resource center. Crystal here. All right, maybe next time we can get her. I know that Watson Theavong's here for the stars mentoring program. Watsonic. Oh, hold on here. >> Oh, yeah. Here [laughter]
we go. >> We got to get a picture of that. >> Come to the microphone, please. Watson. So, Watson is the uh executive director of the of the Stars mentoring program and and uh here to talk about our the I don't know the cookoff we have between
>> myself and mayor of Albert Lee and now we also have the mayor of Conger joining us. I think it's this Friday and uh yeah. So, take it away. Thank you your honor and city council members for this opportunity to share the joys of
community. My name again is Watsana Theavvong. I'm the executive director of the STARS mentoring program, a mentoring initiative serving rural communities, several including Austin. I am here today with Alani, our junior advocate,
and Taylor Mala, the board president. Tonight we recognize that leadership makes a meaningful difference especially from the unique advantage point for of those who serve our communities. Mayors hold the ability to shape our cities,
uplift our residents, and inspire others through advocacy and example. I did not have the opportunity last year to formally acknowledge the mayor king support of our mentoring program during the 2025 fundraiser where you earned your mayor cookoff competition while
proudly promoting stars mentoring program. It is my honor to present that award to you this evening and in the same spirit of fun and friendly competition also take back as you have will once again be
competing for the title this Friday at First Lutheran in Ellely from 5:30 to 7:30. We deeply appreciate your partnership and advocacy for the stars program. You have shown us the true meaning of leadership and community. The kind that rolls up its sleeves and stands
shouldertosh shoulder with our small but mighty and co cohesive caring adults. Together we have fostered meaningful connections and created powerful impacts in the lives of our young future leaders. Your support has helped build the community where mentorship thrives
and where every child has a chance to grow, belong, and shine. I now yield to Alani who's our junior advocate and Taylor McColler or board president. >> Welcome back Alani. She was our mayor mayor for the day
>> prior. >> I'm glad to be back. Good evening [laughter] council members. I am Milani theavong. As a student at Austin High School and a junior representative for the stars mentoring program. I have seen firsthand how strong leadership and
community involvement can make a meaningful impact on the lives of our youth. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to shadow Mayor King for a day and have him become one of my mentors as he has taught me the importance of leading with compassion,
integrity, and authenticity. I have used these skills to be a strong role model for my peers and mentor other youth through the STARS mentoring program. We are so thankful for your continuous support and I look forward to seeing the positive impacts we can
continue making on our communities. And Mayor King, I good luck this Friday and I hope to see you become the backtoback cookoff champion. >> Thank you. Thank you. I'm hopeful. Taylor, how are you tonight? >> Good. How are you? I'm the board president, Taylor McCulla, of the STARS
mentoring program. Um, I want to express my deepest gratitude for your unwavering support and continuous contributions and commitment to the STARS mentoring program. Every year, I look forward to this annual fundraising event, the
banter and comedy that come along with it as well. Thank you so much for everything that you do for our little program. >> Appreciate that, Taylor. Thank you, Elani. Uh yeah, sure. And you're going to take this back. [laughter] I'm I'm happy that Taylor mentioned the the the banter, the good-natured banter.
We were on the radio show, myself and Mayor Murray over in uh Albert Lee last week, and he's good naturatured about it certainly, but even though I pretty much waxed him last year by one vote, uh we'll see what happens this year. We got a third mayor now from Conger participating. So yeah, we can get a
picture. I'll get that. Here, I'll get in the center so you don't have to look at two different people. >> All right. >> Thanks. >> Thank you. [applause] I don't think it was mentioned, but does need to be mentioned that Hormill Foods
does sponsor the the the pork chops that we we cook. So, thank you to Hormill Foods. >> We're pretty good at making chili. So, [laughter] >> all right. Uh, moving on. Under public hearings, uh, we have a reviewing tax statement from H property. I believe it's a it's a twin home, Bri.
>> Correct. So, we have a tax statement um being requested from the HA. They're proposing to build a duplex dwelling. It's located on a vacant lot on 24th Avenue Northwest. Uh each home would be valued at approximately $385,000.
The application is in conformance with the city's policy for tax payment and the clerk's office is recommending approval of each of the applications. This is a public hearing. >> All right. Is anyone here from the public wishing to speak on this matter? Hearing none. Council, any questions on
this uh tax payment? >> I would just add really exciting. I know the H uh has been working for a couple years to try, you know, they've done it house every year and they've been fantastic. Uh so to be able to bump up to a twin home is very [cough] exciting. [clears throat] Um and part of that is
due to the large number of students that Riverland's been having through their great construction program. So we're doing double the houses this year. So kudos to Riverland and HA. >> Excellent. Thank you, Mike. So looking for a resolution on 6A. >> So moved.
>> Second. >> Second. >> Bri. >> Council member Fischer. >> I. >> Council member Waller. >> I. >> Council member Baskin. >> I. >> Council member Posma. >> I. >> Council member Hely. >> I.
>> Council member at large Austin. >> I. Resolution passes 6. >> Thank you, Bri. And the other side 6B. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Brie. [cough and clears throat] >> Council member Fischer. >> Hi. >> Council member Waller.
>> I. >> Council member Baskin. >> I. >> Council member Posma. >> Hi. >> Council member Hely. >> I. >> Council member at large Austin. >> I. >> Resolution passes 6. >> Thank you. Moving on to item number seven under bids and awards. We have the
2026 sanitary sewer lining project. Stephen, >> yeah, as you described, uh, we bid a project for lining sanitary sewer. This is where we install a pipe inside of an existing sewer main and then we cure it
in place and it becomes essentially a sleeve inside of that existing sewer mane. And uh describing it a little bit more is when when these old clay sewers were installed back 50, 60, 70 years ago, there is a joint every two or 3
feet. So by putting this sleeve inside, we're able to go about 400 ft and eliminate all of the joints, all those opportunities for root infiltration, um groundwater infiltration. And then what they do is they come back with a machine and they cut out where all the
services are connected. So it's a it's a less intrusive process than than complete reconstruction. It's able to happen in a fairly short amount of time with very little impact to adjacent property owners. So before you tonight are bids from uh two contractors with
Insitu Form Technologies USA being the low bidder at 1,443,6829. And the project is being located in the southwest part of town down by the fairgrounds. We're going from 1st Avenue Southwest down 9inth Street at 4th Avenue. We're going west to 12th Street
and then we're continuing down 12th Street by the fairgrounds and ending our project at 11th Avenue Southwest. So with that, we would recommend council award for the low bidder. >> And Stephen, do they access them through the manholes? They don't cut up the roads. They're not doing that's a >> correct. They access them through
manholes. Excellent. Thank you. Council, any questions, comments? >> I have a question. >> Sure. >> Um, Stephen, I noticed that the engineers estimate was about 25% low um compared to the ultimate bid. Uh, do we do we know why that is? Is that any
cause for concern? >> Um, it's I think it's just reflective of the current status of the bidding climate for these types of contractors. We usually give them a a very large window. So I think we have about a 12 month window for them to complete this
work. It really doesn't matter to us if they do it tomorrow or they do it 11 months from now. So we try to give them a wide variety to allow them to fit it into their schedule. So we feel like we've given them a good window to try to get as competitive bids as possible. Um we do have two bids. Yes, they are both
ahead above our estimate and looks like we just need to refine our estimates and and get them up to where current industry standard is for some of this work. >> Thank you. >> Very good. Thank you. Any other questions? >> Yeah, you sort of answered it. It sounds like so we don't know when this is going
to start and and um second question is will folks see any disruption of service turn off any of that sort of stuff? >> Yeah. So, because this is a trunk sewer, it's a 24-in pipe that runs along here. So, we will be bypass pumping. We have to reroute the the flow of the waste
water around the work area. And so, uh, there'll be coordination with adjacent property owners as some of those above ground pipes for bypass pumping might impact driveways, things like that. Um, there there can also be an odor that comes from this when the resins are
curing the the pipe material. There is an odor that comes off it. We were recently just uh a week and a half ago, we were doing pipelining on 4th Avenue Northwest and there are some odors in some of the downtown businesses that were occurring during that process. But
letters are sent out to adjacent property owners to try to coordinate and minimize that as much as possible. >> Thank you. Very good. If nothing else, looking for a resolution for the sewer lining project. >> So moved.
Brie. >> Council member Fischer. >> Hi. >> Council member Waller. >> I. >> Council member Baskin. >> I. >> Council member Posma. >> I. >> Council member Hely. >> I. >> Council member at large Austin. >> I.
>> Resolution passes 6. >> Thank you. Moving on to petitions and request. We have item number eight. Approving city hall security system upgrades. Spoke about that uh last meeting or two. Looking for resolution. >> So moved. Second Bri.
>> Council member Fischer. >> I. >> Council member Waller. >> I. >> Council member Baskin. >> I. >> Council member Postma. >> I. >> Council member Hely. >> I. >> Council member Large Austin. >> I. >> Resolution passes 6. >> Very good. Thank you, Bri. Item number
nine, approving agreement with the school resource officer. Uh need a resolution. Uh Chief Hartman uh did provide backup. It's the same contract as we've been doing for about 25 years and it's very helpful. So, we're just wishing to renew that again to have two CS SRO officers in the schools.
>> Um, I know they are very appreciated by the schools. They are heavily utilized and I think they do a great job with the kids and probably preventing a lot more issues. So, I would move to approve. >> No doubt. Okay. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Bri. >> Council member Fischer. >> I.
>> Council member Waller. >> I. Council member Baskin >> I. >> Council member Posma >> I. >> Council member Hely >> I. >> Council member large Austin >> I. >> Resolution passes 6. >> Thank you. Briad member Taz approving an update to the data practice policy. Just
adding uh Dave unmocked as a data for data practice policy. Need a resolution. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Green. >> Council member Fischer. >> I. >> Council member Waller. >> I. >> Council member Baskin. I
>> council member Posma >> I >> council member Hely >> I >> council member at large Austin >> I >> resolution passes 6 >> thank you item number 11 is approving uh extension of the conditional purchase agreement with the Austin utilities with the second indoor pool over across the
street the water tower uh that was 2016 we were going to do a 10-year I think and then take it down I guess it's in great shape Austin utilities wants to keep it for a little while longer so Mr. Byron did a nice job with Austin Utilities to extend extend that resolution or that that time period how
long that will last. Why was also involved and they had no no problem with it. So Greg, do you have anything more to say on that? >> Looking for a resolution on extension of that water tower. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Three. >> Council member Fischer.
>> I. >> Council member Waller. >> I. >> Council member Baskin. >> I. Council member Posma >> I. >> Council member Hely >> I. >> Council member at large Austin >> I. >> Resolution passes 6. >> Thank item number 12 is resolution approving an application to conduct
offsale gambling for the fraternal order of the eagles and that's so they can gamble at the fairgrounds during the fair week. Looking for resolution. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Green. >> Council member Fischer. >> I.
>> Council member Waller. >> I. >> Council member Baskin. I >> council member Posma >> I >> council member Heli >> I >> council member at large Austin >> I >> resolution passes 6. >> Thank you. Item number 13 is granting the planning and zoning department the
power to contract for the removal of junk and or legally stored vehicles at the following location 6076th street northwest the Torres property. Need a motion. >> So move. >> Second. All >> in favor? >> Opposed. Motion carries. Here's item number 14. Granting the planning and zoning department the power to contract
uh for the removal of junk and or legally stored vehicles at the following location 7-Eleven 12th a southwest the VP Rental Property LLC. Need a motion? >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I opposed. Motion carries. Uh moving on
to citizens addressing the council. Is there any citizens in the audience wishing to speak with council members that of items that weren't on the agenda? >> Sure. Nick. If you could, Nick, just name and address for the record, please. >> Personal address at the company address,
>> whatever you want to give us. >> All right. Um, Nick Noatne with Impact Austin and the Development Corporation of Austin, 329 North Main, Sweet 106L. Um, on June 13th, uh, Impact Austin hosted Downtown Dish. It was a first year event. Um, and I just wanted to
come and kind of lay out, uh, my gratitude, uh, to some specific folks within the city. um doing events is very difficult and one of the biggest challenges is navigating how to make some of these things happen um with licensing, permitting, equipment, all
the fun stuff. So, um I just wanted to personally come and thank a few folks uh Jason Chan and the parks and recck department um as always are rock stars. Chief Hartman, Captain Clinton, Lieutenant Wallenberg, uh community service officers with the APD very
helpful again with road closures, all of that sort of stuff. and as a firsttime person doing an event in this community, uh kind of learning how to do these things. Uh Brienne Wolf and Wana Hatfield with clerks and going through all the licensing and Steven Lang with
engineering. Um, again, it's a challenge doing these sort of things and I've done events in other communities and run into significantly more roadblocks with uh interacting with municipalities for these kind of things and uh, city of Austin staff and folks made it an
absolute dream and made it really easy to help answer all of my questions that I had. Um, and so I just wanted to come and say thank you uh publicly uh to all those folks uh in supporting Impact Austin, the DCA and our mission of supporting local businesses and and making Austin a really awesome place to
live, visit and work. Um because we had over a thousand folks from the community and abroad come downtown uh back in June 13th and we just appreciate all the support from the city on that. So >> thank you Nick. I appreciate the gratitude and also, you know, I know you you come to this position with several
planning events over in Rochester, so to say it was seamless and did a nice job. I I take that to heart because I know you're highly involved in what goes on over in Rochester, too, some of these places. So, are we going to have one more? >> Uh, that's it for this summer, but we're already making plans for next year, so
see how we can grow it. >> Okay. Thank you, Nick. Anyone else wishing to speak with council on items that were on the agenda? Welcome. Just name and address, please. My name is Becky Recctor and my address is 17073rd Avenue Northeast here in town. Sure.
>> Um, as we all know, we had a major flood event again on our street. Um, my neighbor's basement caved in. She's not the only one. Apparently, there were a couple more in Austin. Um, we had not those kind of problems until
you fixed our street, which is not a fix. Our I was told the last time I was here is an art artery for first, fourth, and fifth. You need to fix something because we cannot do this year after year.
And I get a nod and I mean the work that we put into it to get back to where we want to be. >> Seventh AB as well. >> Yeah. >> 7th Avenue. Northwest [clears throat] >> northeast the southeast part of town
16th street to 4th Avenue or whatever it was from sixth street >> I'm sorry for the uh that's more than an inconvenience it's just tragic those when you get water is it sewage water that's coming up >> I tried calling the city I did call the city
>> and and I got said you need to talk to soand so and I got transferred to that person that person hung up on me I don't even know who it was because I didn't get Oh, sorry for that. Right. >> Cuz I said, "You need to come out and you need to check these sewers." Why? I
mean, my house was literally an island. >> The rest of you are here for the same same reason. >> On when you turn the pumps back on because I get the treatment center doesn't want to be flooded. Everything went down like in 15 minutes.
>> Thank you, Mr. M. Recctor. Stephen, can you respond to what the city has been doing and is aware of? We don't shut any pumps off. We add pumps and to try to help the situation. So, just to call that theory, we do not
shut off pumps. We actually add pumps. Um, yeah. So, the northeast and southeast neighborhoods east of East Side Lake and and down near the Ellis neighborhood were hit hard during the 2024 flood. And I think we had a full council chambers
the very next council meeting after that. And a lot of those same property owners are here tonight or were hit again from the events that happened around the 4th of July. Um just a little more background on it. Uh so we had the
6 ines of rain on th on the 2nd of July and then about a week later we had another 6 ines of rain. And I had sent some information out to council following the second rainfall event and I mentioned that we our flows at the
treatment plant were 17 million gallons per day. It they were actually 27 million gallons per day. Our normal dry weather flow is about 4 million gallons per day. So it was a uh huge increase
for us as we tend to see during these events. Um but following the 2000 So there's the the basement collapses that occurred it unfortunately when we hear
about those they happen in the northeast part of town. It's it's the it has to do with the clay soils and the way those clay soils um move or don't hold water during rain events. So that's a rain related issue and that volume of rain
and the intensity that it came down on that afternoon was just something that some of these basements couldn't handle due to the age and and infra and condition of those ba block walls. But um as it relates to the sanitary sewer,
since 2024, we've initiated a couple studies with WHKS to try and understand more about our system and ensure that our system is sized properly. And for us, through those studies, we have been
able to ensure that our system is sized properly. I I believe it's even sized for about a three times the normal flow is what the system is sized for, which is a normal engineering standard. Unfortunately, what's happening in these
areas is we're getting excess flow greater than that that standard three times flow. We're getting four, five, six times um our normal peak. So, that is what's happening in these neighborhoods. And we have I know
these folks are along 3rd Avenue Northeast, but we do have some projects planned in 27 and 28. We have about $3.5 million worth of projects planned along 6th Avenue Southeast and Ellis Ditch as that area has a large number of sewer
backups. Um we've also since the 2024 flood, we've implemented the point of sale program. That is a program that was implemented to try to find and eliminate these footing drain connections um as a source of clear water into the system.
So we are unfortunately there isn't one smoking gun solution that's going to fix it for everybody. It's going to be a slow process where we're going to continue to pick away at it. Um, as as a homeowner, one thing I would always encourage homeowners to do that
they have the opportunity to do is it but it costs money is to install a check valve. Um, by installing a check valve, you are giving yourself some sort of security to try to prevent sewer backups and water coming back up into your home
with a check valve. Uh, a lot of these homes were built in the 60s and 70s. In the current building code, check valves are a standard installation on a new home build. Um, but it just was not when these homes were built. But that is
that's something that individual property owners could do if if they are, you know, as as the city works through this on a multi-year, decadel long plan to really make improvements in a neighborhood, a check valve is something
that a homeowner could do in a on their timeline in a much more quicker turnaround. So So that's just one of many things. Um, but that's some background of what we've done and also for the homeowners, things that we've been looking into. Um, but it's it's a
long-term plan to try to work at a solution for this. >> And that check valve, does that involve digging the yard up or where does that get installed? >> Uh, gen the goal would be to install it inside of the house in the basement so that you have access to it at all times
in the future for cleaning and different things like that. >> Thank you, sir. You can come to the microphone. Please give us your name and address. >> Talking in front of people. >> I do too. [laughter] Hi, Steve. >> Name and address, please, for the record.
>> Scott Nitzky. I live at 710 Oakland Place Northeast. And so I got 7th A on one side and Oakland Place on the other. My question to you, Steve, is [snorts] which I'm sure I've asked before.
What did y'all do differently when you guys did these streets? Is there a different grade with these sewer lines or what? because a lot of these houses have never had issues before, ever. And I just had an estimate for a check
valve put in. I got two. The first one was $3,600 and I'm waiting for the other one to come back. So, I just don't understand how we go from dry basements. You do the
sewer work and then I had 5 ft of sewer water in my basement. My basement's demolished. Just had a new water heater put in today. Thankfully, insurance is covering that. But I just don't get how you go from
never having issues to all of a sudden I don't get it. I'm gonna I'm gonna come up here. I'm Joey. >> Yes. >> Hold on, please. Let's Let's let Stephen answer Mr. Noitzky's first before you start if you could. >> I don't have an answer. I've I've talked
to Scott a couple different times. I've looked at a video of his sewer service. We've we've looked at um the sewer improvements or changes that we did during the street project. Uh Scott's at a dead end line. Um it it doesn't make
any sense why he's experiencing sewer backups. >> Most most of my neighbors have not gotten anything. I mean this time the one did. >> So you took on water on the year 24 flood and and that was high water. >> Been there 2 and 1/2 years.
>> That's been a crazy amount of >> storm water. >> And ultimately it's going to impact whoever has the lowest basement in a neighborhood. That's who's going to be impacted first. And based on the lay of the land, um, we'd have to do some surveying and double check and and it
may not solve a problem. It would give us more information, but Scott's basement might be the lowest in his neighborhood, which is why he's seeing more impact than others. It always it's going to happen to the lowest basement. But, um, we've looked at it. We've talked about it. And
I just don't I don't have a good solution for Scott. We did. Yeah, we we talked about footing drains and >> I'm going to this time around. >> Disconnecting the footing. >> $3,600. Sure as hell ain't got that laying around. >> You'll be disconnecting the the footed
footing drains. >> Is there a footing drain that's connected? That is the problem. So, you're going to cap those off. >> Okay. Thank you for doing that. >> My name is Jody [clears throat] Berglin. I am speaking in regards to my mother, MNA Stopppie. She lives at 1709 Third Avenue Northeast. She is the one that
received the wall collapsing. Um she has lived there for 60 years. We've had previous heavy rains in those past years like when Keen all that flooded out. So her basement maybe had a trickle of water coming in but never had
sewer back up like she's done it. This has happened in 24 and in and this year. 24 insurance covered new furnace, new hot water. This year they're not covering anything. She's 90 years old. And as far as what you said about the
lowest in the basement, so are you saying that everybody here on Third Avenue and some live above them and they had sewer backward that they have the lowest basements? How does that work? They're in the condos behind my mom,
Becky, a few others. And the last two years, they've also since you did the streets have had backup, sewer backup. insurance companies are going to start denying the claims and cancel them. What's the city gonna do about that?
>> Um, ma'am, please if you could just keep it down a little bit. I understand your anger, but Stephen, what's WHKS? Is do they scope these things or you've used an outside engineering agency? What's there? >> Right. So, we we have in our CIP a plan
to do a more aggressive it pretty much a point of sale, but we would the city would actually go out and scope these services looking for connections to try to reduce that clear water impact. Um, but unfortunately, it keeps getting moved back on our on our list just based
on time and other projects and things going on. And I know that's not what these folks want to hear, but um it's also, you know, we've talked about that through our point of sale is is why doesn't the city initiate a program like we did with the sump pump inspections,
but to go to do a a a sewer service inspection is a lot more intrusive to a home than than the sump pump. The sump pump was just a visual inspection, but a sewer service inspection may involve pulling someone's toilet to get access to the sewer line. It may be cutting in
a new uh cleanout to be able to get access and and anytime we as a city make modification go into someone's house and make modifications like that, we become liable for things and that there's just there's a lot of risk with that. So that's why we've shied away from
implementing a city-based inspection program like that. Um uh we are you know yes we have hired WHKS to study. We we continue to look at
the main size. We have a lift station up in that area that that also pumps into this system that we're we're trying to reduce flow into that lift station which would then reduce flow into this system. So it's it's a it's a large network kind of like the tree behind you. Lots of
different layers, lots of different lines coming into it. Lots of different things could be impacting it, and we're working to try to identify those sources and eliminate them. >> Thank you. >> Well, this is my daughter. She lived in the house at the time, her and her
daughter. They are now homeless >> because of this. >> Would the check bail be the same situation for these? >> Not on not on that. That's the for the water. That's That's water pressure around your foundation that's going to collapse a foundation. That's not sewer
related. It's it's >> water we never had there though until the road was done. >> Exactly. >> Now it was our entire yard. >> I mean that's all these people >> and up the hill >> to these people. >> Never once until that road was done. >> Even the church across the street
>> and they're okay. >> We had intersection flooding everywhere around town. They there were homes in neighborhoods all over town that had water coming in their egress windows because of just the amount of water flowing across the ground
>> because it rained so hard. I have been here for 25 years >> and I have never seen the amount of water in intersections like I did on July 8th. That was the most >> You realize this has all happened since you guys did the streets. >> We She
>> Like I said, my mom's been there 60 years. Becky and Gary have been there 20ome years. I'm not sure about all these other ones. They never had the flooding. We literally watched it come stop [clears throat] the road and literally go all the way up the street of Third
Avenue. >> Yeah. Us the city rebuilding Third Avenue does not impact the weather. >> But it did because you put a 30 You 42 [clears throat] inch pipe into a 38. When are you going to fix that? >> Because that's what you said the last
time. Our street project does not impact the weather. >> It did. What doesn't impact the weather is the weather impacts my house work. >> This is what you guys did. >> Why is everybody blaming Steven for 13 in of rain? >> I'm not blaming that rain. I
>> I think what I I want to impart though is that the city is aware of it. We're doing what we can to eliminate that. And you also I appreciate Scott willingness to go get a check valve. I lived in my house in Southwest for 21 years. I've never gotten water. I got water in my basement. It is a pretty significant event.
>> My other question is for these valves, I have heard that sometimes that can cause so much pressure >> that your pipe can blow. Your sewer pipe can blow it can go all the way out in the street. So if all these people do that and that happens, who's going to be reliable for that? Them. >> I suppose you're getting into some old
infrastructure in your home, but >> yes, it could cause increased pressure in the sewer mains. That is that could be a result of it. instead of it instead of it spilling back into your basement, it would increase pressure in the main possibly. >> Okay. Well, so not such a good idea.
>> And the the 30 in the downsizing of the storm sewer would require us to excavate or get across Oakland Place. >> Do it. >> That's >> And when is your plan to do that? >> It's currently not on the list. >> I was thinking maybe you should do that
>> 2024. You said stop spending money other places and maybe make this I'd rather drive on the gravel road than on some of these other streets. Sure your guys are ring. >> And one thing to remember about previous floods that wasn't caused by rain in the
city of Austin that was caused by rains north of us that flooded Turtle Creek that flooded the Cedar River that flooded Dobbins coming into town which caused those floods. It wasn't like these events where we're having excessive rainfall in a short period of
time to cause that kind of flowage. >> So can you explain then when >> ma'am could you please come to the microphone please? We'll get this on record. >> Name and address please. >> When all this
>> name and address please address. My name is Jackie Mickey and I live on Third Avenue along with these people. And um our place isn't that old. It was built in 93. We've lived there since day one.
Never had water ever until two years ago after the street was done and the pipes were put in wrong. And I have never seen I wasn't home when this all happened and um they sent me pictures. My neighbor
girl sent me pictures and our whole street was like a river >> and I've never seen the water like that. And we've had a lot of water in town before when places have all been flooded, but we never were. Now you put
all these BMS around different areas of town, but nothing on our side of town to help us like the other side of town. >> The B [clears throat] the BMS are for the river water, not not rain water. >> Well, I see. I don't know all this. I'm just bringing up what I know. But I
would think if the problem is these drains being the wrong size, I would think that would be a priority because [clears throat] otherwise our property goes down in value. Like they said, people won't get insurance anymore. You
know, it's a real headache when after 30 years we never had it. >> No doubt. Yep. >> So, >> something needs to happen >> with with the storm sewer. um that that rain event that occurred we had 6 in in 6 hours and that is equates to a
100redyear storm event rain event. Our storm sewers are not designed for a 100red-year event. Um our that that 30in 42in storm sewer as large as that is that's probably designed for a 15 to 20
year event. So, we it would take four of those pipes to handle a 100-year event. And there just isn't the space in the road. There isn't the money available. No city designs their storm sewer system
for a 100red-year event. It is standard to design it for anywhere from that 10 to 25 year event. And that's what the storm sewer is, excluding the crossing of Oakland Place, but the storm sewer on your road was constructed for that 15 to 20 year event.
>> Here's another perplexing thing to me. Okay, so all this water is there. Everybody can see it. And all of a sudden, you must open up a drain cuz it's like and it's gone. That happened two years ago and it happened again.
>> Yep. It just takes time for everything to catch up. Did it stop raining when the did the water finally go down when it stopped raining? >> I wasn't here when it happened, but I was here two years ago. >> But it's like it's like you open up a drain or something >> because it's it just sucks it down.
>> So So if our system is designed to cover a 25% of the rain, our our system handles that. the other 75% ponds or runs over the surface and then as the rain event stops the system gradually catches up and then the water is gone.
>> It wasn't gradual. It was like instant. >> Okay. >> I I drove around 7 between 7 and 9:00 that night after that. That happened about 4:00. We got that deluge and I saw the streets at the time over the curb into the entrances of homes or businesses downtown. But by by 7 o'clock
though, it looked like he'd drive around right now. There was it was gone. So it's it is I think like >> it's like when you fill a bathtub and you pull the drain, >> but the drain it doesn't go down right away. It slowly goes down. This is like instant.
>> So you know that's a perplexing thing. >> Yeah. There's no shenanigans from the city about a drain plug somewhere. So I don't assure you folks. >> Sure. >> I have a question um for Mr. Lang. When we have asked WKS to look at uh
these neighborhoods, have they found um any any evidence um that there was a problem with the street project um from a few years ago or that there wasn't a problem from the street project a few years ago? Are they actually examining that to find out if
if that was a that is a factor in what's happening? We televise all of the sanitary sewers um in the city. So we started that in 2018 with WHKS and then after some of these street reconstruction projects
occurred during that time and then they get televised after it is complete and we have not found any any issues that would point to the sewer being the sewer reconstruction being a cause. No, we have not found anything with either
our own inspections or WHKS. >> Is there a reason that there's only on just the long block of Third Avenue before you hit the second block to go to the airport? Is there a reason there's only four >> what's the word? >> Inlets. Inlets.
>> Storm sewers. Is there a reason on that whole block there's only four? >> Um, not particularly. No. No specific reason. for or against it. >> So four is appropriate for that big a
block, which is like >> two blocks normally. >> Yeah. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> All right. Maybe we can move up that under Oakland Avenue see the CIP project and see if we can alleviate some of the problem there. And thank you folks.
Sorry for uh what's happening to your homes. So, next steps as we think about it, we'll take a look at the CIP piece of it because I think it is worth a if we've got stuff that we have plans to do, it's worth us looking at how do we [cough] potentially move some of that stuff up because I think that's fair.
And then I think just for the last cuz and I I get the frustration piece because there is nothing worse than getting water in your basement and especially multiple times in in it period. Stephen, am I understanding it correctly that
the difference between probably prior floods and what we've seen at least 24 and 26 is the right way to think about that. The biggest difference is previous flooding was generally as Jeff was talking about from a tremendous amount of rain rivers would come up over the
the side and we've built a lot of flood mitigation in order to deal with that. The difference the last two times has been just the intensity of the rain that has come down in a short amount of time, which is stronger than what we've seen
historically. Is that the right way to think about it? >> Yeah, I believe that would be accurate. You know, people talk about climate change, whether you believe in it or not, our storms are changing. Our summer thunderstorms are changing and they're getting stronger and more intense. Yes. Dropping more water in a shorter period
of time. >> Okay. So then as we think about the neighborhood, I think we can look at I mean and it wasn't just this one was obviously impacted, but I know we saw a lot on the southwest side, you know, streets that were flooded. We saw I mean areas that frankly of town I've never seen flooded before that were flooded. I
think it's worth us as a council as we go through the CIP. And I think Stephen, you and your team do a really nice job of looking at the we've done a lot of great mitigation work around riverbased flooding. Are there some things that we need to be looking at as well that can help to mitigate longer terms, you know,
if this is the new kind of reality we're living in? Obviously, it doesn't solve any of the short-term issues, but I think it's worth strategically making a a look at that pivot. So, thank you for coming out, guys. >> Mayor, I think Mrs. Oer has a question.
>> Didn't we get a lot of >> You come to the microphone, please. Give your name and address. Vicky Oer 400 open place northeast. Didn't we get it the in 2000 and 2004 get a lot of rain in a short period of time also? >> Yeah. 2004. >> In 2004
>> that was more flooding of the river over the river bank. So that wasn't groundwater. I don't believe that was >> we didn't get a lot of rain in that >> had to have probably got it from the north too. I think one of the more fortunate things because uh Amy Clolobashar's southern district guy lives in Farbo. If we would have had any
rain north would have been a completely different story, but that storm was right over the top of Austin and poured on people's lawns >> blooming and we didn't get that's why Lyall and and Leroy got impacted because >> we also got a lot of rain in a short period. >> 2004 I think was more river water >> and there still wasn't any sewer back up
in those two events. >> Yep. >> 2008 too. >> I agree. If we can if we can move up the CIP and put that on the elev. >> So did I just so >> Hold on. Thank you. We'll get to it. >> Go ahead.
>> Just so I understand I don't want to because I I I will agree. I I saw I saw water and intersections in my neighborhood that I have never seen before. And I think what one of the things that really struck me about the storm because I was kind of home working watching the whole thing is you say 6
ines in 6 hours, but it was really like four or five inches in like two hours. I it just opened up and didn't stop. And so that's where I just saw ponding in places I'd never seen before. Did Did you say that we went from 4 million gallons in our in our sewer system to 27
million gallons? So obviously as you know there's been a lot of discussion and things we've done as a council on keeping clear water out of our sewer system. There's still a lot of work to do. But then you also mentioned starting to and I understand what you're saying about we can only inspect so much
because it's a little intrusive. Um, but I'm also if we're going to can have some inspections that are not point of sale, folks might find some big repairs that they have to do without a way to pay for it. >> Yeah. [snorts] >> So, is that Are we going to be looking
at doing some of those inspections in some What does that look like? >> Yeah, it's we have it identified as a three-year timeline. Um, again, I keep moving it back. It was probably 26 to 28 originally when we put it in there. Now
it's probably 28 to 30 as our timeline for doing those. And and our concern is like you're saying, we we piggybacked the point of sale cuz that's a time when money is exchanging hands. If we come in and just knock on someone's door and
tomorrow we inspect it, well, it's non-compliant. Where are they going to come up with the money to fix it? So that's why we're a little hesitant to initiate a program that doesn't occur during point of sale because how does someone fund it when we just show up at their door? So
but right now I'd have to look at our CIP that we're we'll be reviewing it with the council here coming up in a less than a month and we can talk about where that fits in our time fiveyear timeline. >> Thank [clears throat] you sir. Name and address please. >> Yep. Uh Tim Toiver, 400 Oakland Place
Northeast. Um we were impacted by the sewer backup also. So I know the city's been doing a lot. I mean obviously Steven's been answering questions here about you're rellining pipes, you're doing sump pump inspections, you're doing sewer televising and doing all
that. So in theory, we should be reducing our inflow or our flow going through the sewer system. And as you guys are doing street repairs, my understanding is now you're putting seal down lids in all the manholes and so we should be getting less clear water going into the sewer system. But is there an
opportunity where the sewer system is taking on a large amount of storm water? Obviously we had a lot of streets that were flooded. Is there opportunities there that can be addressed that's going to help this on the sewer system? because obviously we should be reducing flow with all these programs and
policies that are being put in place. And so if we're doing good things, we should be doing that. We should be decreasing the amount of water coming into the sewer system. But obviously historically, we're seeing a bigger problem with sewer
backups than what we've seen even. And I know a lot of people got up here and talked about the past floods in 2000. that flood there was six to 10 inches of rain in Austin depending on where you're at. [snorts] 2004 there was 10 to 12 inches of rain. So we're talking about a similar amount of rain that we're
talking about in 2024 and 2026. And now we're seeing different impacts from that same amount of rain and different influences on the sewer system and people that are getting impacted from it. And again, there's a lot of people in here that are getting impacted
that probably can't afford some of the repairs that they need to make to their homes or they can't afford to put in one of the backflow preventers. And I think backflow preventers are great, but all we're also going to do is push that further down the line to somebody else that does not have a backflow preventor
in their system. We're going to build up more pressure in that area and it's going to go to somebody else. So, we're increasing that. The one thing I would ask of the city is is if the city can reach out to any resources, whether that's state level or federal level, that can help some of these people that
may not be able to afford these repairs to their homes or put these backflow preventers in. if they can find those resources. Obviously the city has people that know where to go find that those dollars whether again state level, federal level and help some of those
excuse me those people out or give them access to those funds. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. City generally does a pretty good job looking out for grants. I don't know if this particular thing might have a grant available somewhere but I appreciate your perspective. >> Can can I chime in that that's an excellent point and I do know um call
the Austin H. They have a CHIP one and a CHIP 2 program. My guess is this would fall under CHIP one. Um it is not a grant, but it is a very low interest loan for those who qualify on home improvements. And so I think this would fall right in there. So I recommend and
I I believe there's money right now available in that program. So reach out to the Austin H. Good recommendation. Thank you. All right. Sorry again folks for what you're going through. It's no there's no easy fix, but uh city's aware of it and trying to do the best we can to mitigate
it. Um reports and recommendations. Stephen, you have something unopened. Phase three of Oakland Avenue closed today um from 4th Street to 8th Street. So we currently have closure now from 4th Street to 12th Street on Oakland
Avenue West. And that will remain closed until we start [snorts] pouring concrete on on phase two, which is the stretch down by from Apollo to Quick Trip. So, uh, we've got some closures that just changed today on Oakland Avenue West. >> And then when's the mouth center down by
14th? When's that going to be done? >> Right. So, we're working on storm sewer down there, which like these folks are talking about, storm sewer during these big heavy rains is about the worst time to be working on it. So, that's what's delayed us a little bit. Um, we've got storm sewer. we have gas work. Um, then
we have to start building the roadway back. I would say our goal would be to be working on concrete in August and tentatively right now maybe by before Labor Day we could have that phase 2
open to traffic from uh Apollo to the muffler center. >> Excellent. Thank you. Appreciate motors patience on these projects. So, thank you Mr. Lang. Any other department heads have anything to report? >> All right, go to council Becky. Anything? >> Nothing.
>> Jason, >> just want to say congratulations to the Austin girls playing in the Little League World Series regionals right now. Um I think they're playing as we speak right now. First team, just a little perspective. I think there's six girls from Austin. Um all kind of 12, 13 years old. This is the first team in Minnesota
history to make it to a regional. Um, and so I just think a fantastic representation of our community, knowing a lot of the girls, having had an opportunity to coach them as they were younger, just a couldn't think of a better group to to represent our community. And I know they're having great memories. They've won a couple
games already, which is fantastic. And I think, you know, represents our community and our region really, really well on the national stage. So, congratulations and good luck to those girls. >> Thanks, Jason. This is a softball World Series. >> Little League softball World Series. Yes. >> Thank you. >> Uh, nothing. Jeff. Uh, nothing. Your
honor. Lauren, >> I wanted to say uh thank you to all the city employees. When we do have uh big water events, flooding and sewer backup, it's extra work for streets and for uh uh police and for [clears throat] fire. And uh I know it's a stressful time,
especially in the summer when um we tend to be a little bit understaffed. So, um I think we all have had kind of a rough uh July as a community and I appreciate everybody um uh pulling a little extra
weight and um as frustrating as it is uh for homeowners to have these um backups and and flooding events again and again, it is an opportunity for um the spirit of Austin and helping our neighbors uh to come through. And I have seen
examples of that. um in this last month and and expect to continue to see that. That's who we are as a community. We we help each other. Um also want to say thanks to the parks department for opening up the pool some extra hours this past weekend when it was so so hot.
Um hopefully we won't have a need u to do that again, but I appreciate that they were able to extend hours and give people a place to cool off over the weekend. That's it. Thanks. >> Thanks, Laura. Well, uh I also want to thank the staff. So, I'm sorry for you folks for going what you're going through. I had some water in my basement
as well. It's not fun, but maybe we can get it resolved in the future. And also, like Laura said, thank you the city staff, police, everybody involved, city crew for going out in those events, keeping people safe, um, and just doing what they can do. So, thank you.
>> Very good. All right. Uh, looking for a motion to adjurnn and do our and wait five minutes for our work session. So, moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? I >> oppose.journ. [clears throat] Thank you.