FARMINGTON -- One of the storm sewer projects proposed to reduce the threat of flooding in Farmington's North Compton Road area has drawn criticism from adjoining residents before a single shovelful of dirt has been turned.
The residents include Nita Ford who sold to the city most of the property to be used for the basin. An additional parcel has been acquired from Rulon and Judy Jenson to enlarge the capacity of the facility.
Ford, and others, contend the plan for a detention basin on Compton Road at 1100 North does not call for grass to be included in the landscaping scheme. They further state Farmington has installed grass as part of other similar projects.
The above was confirmed at the city council's May 5 meeting during the discussion of a property acquisition agreement with the Jensons.
In response to a question from another area resident, Paul Chase, city manager Max Forbush said Farmington always planned on landscaping the basin. The 3-to-1 slope on its sides, however, would make it next to impossible to mow any grass planted there.
"We will be meeting with adjoining property owners," he added, "to come up with an acceptable plan."
A report on the meeting could be available for review by the next council meeting, scheduled for May 21.
Meanwhile, council members proceeded with the Jensen agreement. The measure represents a property exchange and settlement agreement to permit the city to construct the basin. In exchange, Farmington will sign over some of the Ford property it previously acquired, but won't need for the project.
Additionally, the city will pay the Jensons $1 more per square, provide five pear trees to replace those to be removed by construction, move some landscaping rocks, readjust the fence line and adjust the sprinkler system.
A motion to approve the agreement was offered by Larry Haugen and passed by unanimous vote.
In a related matter, Forbush reported that a new debris basin, to be built on U.S. Forest Service property, has been proposed for the area above Compton Bench. Funds to build the large, horseshoe-shaped basin would come from the Forest Service, but seed monies to begin design and engineering work are still needed.
At the moment, no other source of these funds appears available, so Forbush proposed Farmington earmark $6,000 to start design and engineering. The council agreed and further authorized the city engineer to begin the design.
The new basin would cut off flows from three draws situated above North Compton Road. Previous remedial action, say some Stevens Circle residents, covers two of those, but directs the excess to the third, right above the circle. The new proposal will take care of this omission.
The awarding of a contract for up to $1.1 million in citywide storm drain improvements was, however, put off for a while. Farmington will not have the proceeds of a bond sale to fund that work until sometime this week. A final hearing on the bond issue will be held on May 19. Forbush recommended waiting until after the hearing before awarding the contract.