Marriott-Slaterville Monthly History March 2011 Spring arrived this month, but apparently Mother Nature was unaware of that fact. The month continued the cold and wet weather we have been experiencing. With an above average snowpack in the mountains, worries about flooding are increasing. Mr. Wayne Clasen, a city resident met with the City Council on March 17, 2011, concerning drainage problems on his property. The discussion was to determine whether the problems are public or private. He is having flooding problems in the basement of his home. He presented pictures and maps showing pipes that he feels are clogged, and open ditches with excessive water run off from irrigation, and ditch flows being changed over time which are not draining properly, causing flooding. He is asking for some help to alleviate the problem. A slough behind his house is higher than the drain at the house which causes water to back up. At one time, he ran a 5 1/2 HP gas pump rated at 8,000 gallons an hour, all day and night. He would like the slough piped to the canal. Mr. Trent Meyerhoffer, Chris Brienholdt, City Engineer, and Brent Slater, engineer from Jones & Associates, have been to the property several times in the past year. Mr. Brienholdt explained that the slough in back of Mr. Clasen's property has stagnant water sitting in it. Flooding coming from the slough ditches would show a flow of moving water, and he feels that the problem is ground water. Mr. Clasen does not think it is ground water, but irrigation water. He would like the city to clean the ditches and get the water flowing again. Mr. Meyerhoffer stated the city does not own any of the drains. President Dennis Ilium said the city is not responsible for irrigation problems. Councilman Kim Slater said the slough water level mimics the level of the ground water. The City Engineer suggested that Mr. Clasen remove the dam he has built in the slough, and take out the berm, so that water can flow more freely. Councilman Scott VanLeeuwen said there is no question that Mr. Clasen has a water problem, but does not feel that it is the city's responsibility for ground water or irrigation problems. He proposed that the City Council find as follows: 1. That the drain adjacent to Mr. clasen is purely private and the city lacks jurisdiction and authority to operate and maintain that drain. 2. That the city does not have the right of access to maintain this private drain. 3. That the city is immune from damage created by "flood waters, earthquakes, or natural disasters" and "the construction, repair, or operation of flood or storm systems." 4. That the wetlands in the vicinity may be federally protected, preventing any fill or piping without permit. 5. That no significant run-off from public facilities is using this private drain. 6. That the flood problems experienced by Mr. Clasen result from ground water infiltration resulting from the placement of a basement in an area known to have high ground water. 7. That Utah experiences wet and dry climactic cycles which affect ground water and storm run-off which are considered as acts of God. 8. That no additional action be taken by staff and no further public funds be expended on this matter which is determined to be a private drainage and flood control issue. 9. That Mr. Clasen may appeal these findings to the Utah Private Property Ombudsman for a formal opinion if he feels that the findings of the city council are incorrect. The proposal was passed unanimously. A business license for Priority Fitness, LLC, 1920 West 250 North, #21, a fitness center, was approved at the March 17, 2011, City Council Meeting. Ordinance 2011-01, adopting the International Fire Code was approved unanimously by the City Council after discussion. The Weber Fire District requested the City's municipal code be updated by making technical changes. 158