HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-15-2025 Council Packet0
City of Oak Park Heights Special City Council Meeting
Location: Oak Park Heights City Council Chambers
Date: Tuesday, April 15, 2025
Time: 4:00 pm
Call to Order
2. Resolution Declaring State of Continuing Emergency Due to Water Main Break
Adjourn
CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION NO.2025-04-13
RESOLUTION DECLARING STATE OF CONTINUING EMERGENCY DUE TO WATER
MAIN BREAK
WHEREAS, City Staff have determined that a municipal water main leak or break has occurred in the
vicinity of 6396 Lookout Trail in the City of Oak Park Heights; and
WHEREAS, the water main break has caused underground water loss and excessive pumping of water
from the City's wells on an ongoing basis, with water losses appearing to likely be in excess of tens of
thousands of gallons of water per day, leading to potential risk of underground erosion and/or sudden
and unexpected loss of water service to the City's residents if the condition worsens; and
WHEREAS, the water main break has occurred within a utility easement that runs through the yards of
the Beaudet Addition neighborhood, in an area subject to steep terrain; the water main is buried upwards
of 20 feet deep in this area which requires a larger -than -normal excavation pit and further the break
itself is in very close proximity to a detached garage that was built in a manner to be partially
encroaching into the City's utility easement, making excavation access to and the repair of the main
break especially challenging; and
WHEREAS, the City's public works crew has attempted a preliminary excavation in the approximate
area of the water main break, and found that the subterranean soil was very saturated with water but also
found that remnants of an old, demolished highway project were buried underground in this area as an
apparent and ill-advised means of disposal of construction debris, resulting in large chunks of concrete
and rebar being encountered within the City's utility easement and making traditional open -cut
excavation and repair even more challenging; and
WHEREAS, the complexity and urgency of the water main break repair is amenable urgent and unique
methods such as cure -in -place polymer pipe lining that are best administered on an emergency basis to
ensure the break is promptly and safely repaired; and
WHEREAS, the immediate procurement of water main repair/restoration contractor services is required
to respond to the emergency; and
WHEREAS, the City Staff has investigated and found only very limited contractor options available to
procure unique repair/restoration options such as cure -in -place pipe lining; and
WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes, Sections 365.37 and 415.01 provide that the emergency contracts are
not subject to the normal purchasing and competitive -bidding requirements because of the emergency;
and
WHEREAS, the Mayor, in consultation with the City Attorney and City Administrator, has determined
the current situation with the water main threatens the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of the
community; and that it is prudent for the City of Oak Park Heights to enter a state of declared peacetime
emergency; and
WHEREAS, following the Mayor's Declaration of an emergency on April 14, 2025, the City Council
has been called for a special meeting and has determined in consultation with the City Staff that it is
prudent and necessary for the City of Oak Park Heights to continue the state of emergency beyond a
period of three days pursuant to Minn. Stat. Section 12.29 until such time as the water main break is
fully repaired.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED AND DIRECTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS AS FOLLOWS:
1. Under the authority given by Minnesota Statutes, Section 12.29, declares that a continuing
local emergency exists within the City effective and ongoing as of April 15, 2025, with all
the powers and responsibilities attending thereto as provided by Minnesota Statutes, Chapter
12.
2. Directs City Staff to make recommendations regarding additional emergency regulations to
support the employees and residents of the City.
3. Directs the City's Emergency Management Director and other appropriate City staff to
request and coordinate appropriate aid and resources from surrounding jurisdictions,
Washington County, the State of Minnesota, and the Federal government, as needed.
4. This emergency declaration shall continue until the water main break is fully repaired
and restored and/or until further order of the City Council.
5. This declaration shall be given prompt and general publicity and be publicly posted by the
City Clerk and circulated by email (or other means) to the City Council and all members of
the public who have requested to receive copies of public notices from the City.
Resolution passed and executed this 15th day of April, 2025 on the following roll call vote:
Dougherty
Johnson
Lilj egren
Runk
McComber
Signed:
Attest:
Mayor Mary McComber
Jacob Rife, City Administrator