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Council, school discuss multiple easement drafts and stormwater relocation tied to school site plan; public hearing set for April 20
Summary
Council and staff reviewed draft sanitary, stormwater, water-main, fiber and sidewalk easements required by the Decorah Community School District site plan; council set a public hearing for April 20 to consider vacating an existing stormwater easement and gave staff guidance on retaining-wall cost‑sharing and easement terms.
Decorah — City staff and consultants walked the City Council through several draft easement agreements related to the Decorah Community School District site plan, including a proposed relocation of a diagonal stormwater easement, sanitary‑sewer and water‑main easements, fiber/sidewalk easements and a retaining‑wall maintenance arrangement.
Travis (staff member) explained that the school has requested permission to relocate the city's stormwater easement to accommodate a new school footprint and that state law requires a public hearing before the city disposes of an interest in real estate. Council set that public hearing for April 20. Staff said the school would bear the cost of relocating the stormwater sewer and would be responsible for restoring surfaces they construct over city utilities.
Discussion focused on the retaining wall along Hively Street, which supports the roadway and also provides level ground for school recreation areas. Staff and consultants described the wall as well‑built and mutually beneficial; councilors asked how to split long‑term maintenance costs. Several members said a 50/50 cost split between the city and the school would be a reasonable starting point, and staff said they would pursue that approach in negotiations.
Consultants said hydraulic modeling showed the proposed new alignment and a smooth‑walled concrete 54‑inch pipe would convey stormwater at least as effectively as the existing corrugated metal pipe; staff said the city would retain operational responsibility for the sewer while the school would replace surfaces the city disturbs in maintenance operations.
Next steps: The school board was scheduled to consider granting easements to the city; if granted, the council’s April 20 public hearing would allow the city to move quickly on vacating the existing stormwater easement pending staff follow-up on recording documents and final terms.
