Correspondence - 4608 West Arm Road - 10/6/20220
October 4, 2022
To: City of Spring Park
From: Gene and Wendy Shavlik
Address: 4608 West Arm Road
Issue: Poorly completed ground repair on our property
Here is the background:
A couple of seasons ago the city decided to work on the underground sewer system (I think that was
the purpose). Anyway, the project affected ours and number of other properties near us. In order to
get to the line the contractor had to dig large holes, mostly on our property. Our property incurred the
brunt of the digging because our property is at the end of the line and they needed to go from the street
to the lake. Apparently there were a number of significant connections located on our property. The
contractor only went across the other properties, they didn't have to dig holes like they did on ours.
After they were done, the contractor filled the holes with dirt brought in from outside. They also hydro
seeded it. Apparently the dirt brought in was contaminated with weeds. I continued mowing but all I
was mowing were weeds.
A couple of months ago our neighbors took the lead and suggested we hire a landscaper who would
come in and hydro seed the properties. They even had a contractor in mind that one of the neighbors
had recently used on his property. We went along with it but confess we knew little about the process.
We were not in the loop about the plan, the schedule, or even when it would be done. The contractor
and neighbors did not take into account that issues on our property were different than theirs due to
the holes. Then one day i saw the contractor, city engineer, and two neighbors walking nearby in our
neighbor's yard. I went out to see what was going on. To my surprise, I was informed the work was to
begin the very next day! I only had 15 minutes to show the contractor the affected areas in our
property before I had to leave for my dental appointment in Wayzata. That is the extent of the pre-
planning concerning our property!
In those 15 minutes I was also able to show the city engineer and the contractor the area by the lake
where there was a large hole that was dug and not properly filled in with enough dirt. The city engineer
agreed and was even suggesting possibilities about how much can be filled in.
The contractor showed up the next day and started on the western end and worked his way toward our
property. He got to our property about 8 PM. He hydro seeded the lake area but did not fill the holes
we talked about. Then he added dirt and hydro seeded the property on the road side. Then he asked
me if it looked OK and I said yes. He said I should keep it watered, which I did. We have an
underground watering system and i manually did the one small area the water did not hit.
The next day I was bothered because he did not add the dirt as we agreed to. I should have been more
direct with him before he left the prior day. The the next day I called him and asked why he did not add
the dirt that he and the city engineer agreed he should do. His response was that I said it looked OK and
he would not come back! I also called the city the same day to notify them and also the neighbor that
hired him to let them know we were not satisfied with his work. We agreed the hydro seeded areas
looked good, at the time, however nothing had emerged yet.
Fast forward to where we are today:
The area where there were weeds looks worse now! All he did was to fertilize the weeds that were
previously there.
I talked to another landscaper about the problem. It appears the main problem is that the contractor
failed to do any planning with us about our situation which was entirely different than the neighbors. I
was also told that he should have been here at least a week or two prior to kill all the weeds that were
growing in the affected area before he was to hydro seed.
I am not an expert, but after going through all of this, 1 know a lot more now than I did a few months
ago.
The bottom line:
We were informed by the city that there was to be extensive work on our property to update the sewer
line. We were assured that the condition of our property would be restored to what it was before they
started. See attached memo from the City. We were very accommodating and patient with the
contractors.
On September 7, Mike Anderson came over to learn more about the problem. When he and I first
started talking about the weed problem, it was obvious that he didn't know much about the details. I
get the feeling after talking awhile that he now understands our predicament. Mike then suggested
that we might wait to fix the weed issue and tie it into the road project currently going on because when
that project is completed there will also be landscaping issues to resolve. However, let me warn you.
The contractors that worked on the sewer lines were not landscapers. They had what appeared to be
their own employees bring in dirt and then hydro seed the area. As noted above, it turned out to be a
total disaster. I don't know that it would be any different now. I would be willing to talk with their
landscaper to be assured they know the issues and get their commitment that it will turn out right.
If you want us to handle the problem, I would be willing to do that. In fact, that would be my
preference. I have discussed our issue with a landscaper that I know and he has indicated that he is
willing to complete the project for $476. 1 will take full responsibility for his work. The area in question
is about 45 feet by 30 feet. That is how large the hole was! In addition, I would like you to provide up
to $100 of dirt and seed for the area down by the lake. Please let me know your choice. If anyone
would like to look at the areas in question, please give me a call.
Thanks,
c�
Gene and Wendy Shavlik 952-220-0010
'SPRING PAR
On Lake Minnetonka
May 1011, 2021
Re: West Arm Road West — Sanitary and Water Improvements
Dear Occupant/Property Owner,
The City of Spring Park's West Arm Road West Sanitary and Water Improvements Project is in the final stages of
completion. Part of this process is ensuring that all project related repairs have been made to your property.
The contractor is in the process of making several repairs along West Arm Road West. If there is an item that
needs to be addressed on your property, please contact one of the following individuals.
Dustin Leduc, Project Manager
Phone:612-490-4258
Email: DLeducOsarnbatek,com
Corey Bergman, City Engineer
Phone:763-259-6695
Email: CBergman@sambatek.com
Thank you for your patience and cooperation during this time and during the overall project.
Sincerely,
J 7. .
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Dustin Leduc, PE
Construction Manager
Phone:612-490-4285
Email: DLeduc@sambatek.com
City of Spring Park 4349 Warren Avenue, Spring Park, AE'�; 55384
Phone: (952) 471-9051 / Fax: (952) 471-9160 / Web: u-w�; .ci.spring-park.mn.us