HomeMy WebLinkAboutDraft October 4, 2010 Meeting Minutes
4646 Dakota Street SE
Prior Lake, MN 55372
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
October 4, 2010
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. Present were Mayor Myser, Council members Erickson, Hed-
berg, Keeney and Millar, City Manager Boyles, City Attorney Pace, Public Works Director/City Engineer Al-
brecht, Assistant City Engineer Poppler, Water Resources Engineer Bintner, Fire Chief Hartman, Building
and Transit Services Director Kansier, Community Development and Natural Resources Director Parr, As-
sistant City Manager Meyer, Communications Coordinator Peterson and Administrative Assistant Green.
PUBLIC FORUM
The Public Forum is intended to afford the public an opportunity to address concerns to the City Council. It
will be no longer than 30 minutes in length and each presenter will have no more than ten (10) minutes to
speak, Items to be considered on the agenda may be addressed at the Public Forum unless they have
been or will be the subject of a public hearing or public information hearing at the City Council, the Econom-
ic Development Authority (EDA), the Planning Commission, or any other City Advisory Committee within
the foreseeable future. Forum items are also restricted to City governmental topics rather than as a plat-
form for private agendas. Matters that are the subject of pending litigation are not appropriate for the Public
Forum. The City Council will not take formal action on Public Forum presentations.
City Manager Boyles explained the concept of the Public Forum.
Comments:
No person stepped forward to speak.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
City Manager Boyles requested the addition of a presentation about the upcoming Artists Reception and
Scott County Art Crawl as item 7C.
MOTION BY MillAR, SECONDED BY HEDBERG TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS MODIFIED.
VOTE: Ayes by Myser, Erickson, Hedberg, Keeney and Millar. The motion carried.
APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES
MOTION BY ERICKSON, SECONDED BY MillAR TO APPROVE THE SEPTEMBER 20,2010, MEET-
ING MINUTES AS PRESENTED,
VOTE: Ayes by Myser, Erickson, Hedberg, Keeney and Millar. The motion carried.
CONSENT AGENDA
City Manager Boyles reviewed the items on the consent agenda.
A. Consider Approval of Invoices to be Paid,
B, Consider Approval of Election Judge Appointments for the November 2, 2010 General Elections.
C. Consider Approval of Resolution 10.089 Declaring Costs to be Assessed and Ordering Preparation of an
Phone 952.447.9800 / Fax 952.447.4245/ www.cityofpriorlake.com
Assessment Roll for 2010 Unpaid Special Charges and Establishing the Date of Assessment Hearing for
the Unpaid Special Charges.
D. Consider Approval of Resolution 10-090 Authorizing a Special Deer Hunt in Spring Lake Regional Park.
E. Consider Approval of Ordinance 110-05 Amending Section 703 of the City Code Relating to Surface Water
Management.
Councilmember Keeney requested removal of item 5B for questions.
Councilmember Hedberg requested removal of item 5D for discussion,
MOTION BY MILLAR, SECONDED BY HEDBERG TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS MOD-
IFIED.
VOTE: Ayes by Myser, Erickson, Hedberg, Keeney and Millar. The motion carried.
Keeney: Commented that earlier in the year action was taken to approve judges for the primary election
and questions were raised about whether the appropriate process was followed to solicit judges. Queried
the process followed to solicit judges for this election.
Boyles: Replied that applications were completed by potential election judges, assurances were made
that training had been attended and both major political parties are equally represented at the polling plac-
es.
J. Erickson: Added that the City received a list of potential judges from both political parties and the City
sent letters to the people on the lists to invite them to apply and train.
W. Erickson: Asked if judges should be chosen who represent the Independent Party.
J. Erickson: Replied the City will have to follow whatever the Statute requires for party representation.
Hedberg: Commented that the Spring Lake Regional Park is a large enough tract of land that deer can
become populated to the extent of presenting a safety hazard. Suggested that next year the County con-
tact the Vierling family as they have a large tract of land and may be interested in conducting a bow hunt on
their property as well.
MOTION BY HEDBERG, SECONDED BY MILLAR TO APPROVE (WASN'T IT A RESOLUTION?) ELEC-
TION JUDGE APPOINTMENTS FOR THE NOVEMBER 2,2010 GENERAL ELECTIONS AND RESOLU-
TION 10-090 AUTHORIZING A SPECIAL DEER HUNT IN SPRING LAKE REGIONAL PARK,
VOTE: Ayes by Myser, Erickson, Hedberg, Keeney and Millar. The motion carried.
PRESENTATION
Fire Prevention Week Proclamation
Fire Chief Hartman stated that Fire Prevention Week was first proclaimed in 1922. Described education
and prevention activities that will be conducted in the schools this week followed by an open house at Fire
Station No, 2 on Saturday, October 9 from 10 a,m, - 2 p,m, featuring family events.
Comments:
Millar: Commented that the City's volunteer fire department is one of the best values in the community.
Thanked firefighters for helping citizens and thanked their families for the sacrifices they make to help the
firefighters perform,
Erickson: Commented on past attendance at the open house and encouraged everyone to attend.
Mayor Myser read a proclamation declaring October 2 - 9 to be Fire Prevention Week in the City,
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Toastmaster Month Proclamation
City Manager Boyles introduced MN River Valley Toastmasters President Marjorie Marie Johnson. John-
son spoke of the local chapter of Toastmasters and invited the Council and community to visit them.
Thanked members of the Council for the proclamation.
Myser: Asked how many members there are from Prior Lake.
Johnson: Fourteen,
Myser: Encouraged Toastmaster members to become involved in city government. Read a proclamation
declaring October to be Toastmasters Month in the City.
Art Crawl
City Manager Boyles commented on art work displayed in the lobby and community room. Introduced
June Phillipp, representative from the Prior Lake artists, Phillipp stated there will be a Prior Lake Artist's
Reception with 28 artists displaying their artwork on Thursday, October 7 from 6 - 8 p,m. Encouraged eve-
ryone to attend, Added that the Scott County Art Crawl will be on Saturday, October 9 from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
and City Hall is one of the sites for that. Thanked the City for hosting them.
PUBLIC HEARING
No public hearing was scheduled.
OLD BUSINESS
No old business was scheduled.
NEW BUSINESS
Consider Approval of a Resolution Accepting the Feasibility Study and Scheduling a Public Hearing
to Consider the 2011 and 2012 Improvement Projects.
Assistant City Engineer Poppler stated that the Boudin's neighborhood is identified for improvements for
2011 and 2012. Described the proposed project area, existing conditions including poor soil conditions,
proposed 28-foot and 24-foot street widths, curb and gutter and sidewalk. Noted there are common lake
accesses and curb cuts are proposed for them. Commented on elevation requirements noting that newer
homes comply with the requirements but some older homes are built at a lower level, and the reconstructed
streets must accommodate both. Some homes on streets less than 24-feet wide have short driveways and
parking structures near to the streets and those properties will be required to participate in the driveway re-
construction program. Described sanitary sewer improvements with some areas being replaced and other
areas cleaned and lined. Described water main conditions and recommended they be replaced in some
areas along with replacement of hydrants, gate valves and water service connections, Described the exist-
ing storm sewer conditions and recommended repair and replacement of the storm conveyance system to
bring it to current standard diameter pipe along with bio-retention and underground retention improvements.
The bio-retention and underground retention recommendations will be taken to the Parks Advisory Commit-
tee for review. Stated that staff is seeking grants to help with some of the proposals and if grants are not
received, the City may scale back on some of the proposed improvements.
Described three alternatives for specially assessing the improvements: a) because of the location of the
streets and utilities in the project the work could be bid as two projects based on a home / street length ra-
tio; b) bid as one project; or c) set maximum assessment for both areas of the based on appraisals. Ad-
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vised the Council that an informational hearing will be conducted as well as a public hearing; and provided
a proposed timeline for completing the projects.
Comments:
Keeney: Stated he is a member of the Assessment Review Committee and emphasized that two factors
are increasing costs for this project; the poor soils, which will have to be replaced, and the inefficient streets
where some have housing only on one side and some elevations will have to be built up. Supports the
projects, Streets are in need of reconstruction. Storm water management in the area does not meet mini-
mum standards and will be enhanced with retention ponds and underground water storage in the park.
Erickson: Will support. Asked about the goal for sidewalk for parks and neighborhoods.
Poppler: Replied it will link residents to the parks,
Albrecht: Added that the sidewalks would be extended to the commercial areas at Boudin's and Com-
merce to allow pedestrian access to those areas.
Erickson: Asked if construction will take all summer.
Poppler: Reviewed the project areas for each year.
Albrecht: Commented that the project is proposed to be done over two years because of the size of the
project as well as flattening the levy effect.
Erickson: Queried whether the appraisals should be received before determining which method of as-
sessment would be best.
Poppler: Replied that information should be available by November 15 and the assessment decision can
be made at a future meeting.
Millar: Asked how multi-dwelling units are assessed,
Poppler: As one unit each.
Albrecht: Added there are many categories of properties in this project: commercial, off-lake homes, on-
lake homes and multi-unit homes and that representative appraisals will be conducted for each category of
property..
Millar: Asked if exceptions were being made for the driveways because of the narrowness of the streets,
Poppler: Replied there are short driveways as well and the intent is to have no gravel driveways with the
project.
Millar: Commented that rain gardens are a big hit and encouraged residents to take advantage of that
program. Stated he will support the project as the neighborhood has been in need of reconstruction for
some time,
Hedberg: Commented he is also a member of the Assessment Review Committee. Stated the streets in
the Boudin's neighborhood were built in 1975. Asked Poppler to comment on why the sewer/water and
street infrastructure did not last longer,
Poppler: Replied that streets were built differently in 1975 and engineers have since learned that the
pavement depth and class 5 beneath these streets is not adequate to support the infrastructure; in some
cases the sewer lines are below the water table,
Hedberg: Asked what will be done differently in the construction process to allow longer life of infrastruc-
ture,
Poppler: Replied that a 7-ton design standard is being recommended. Those areas with poor soils are
recommended to have three feet of sand placed beneath the streets and a geotextile separating granular
material and the native soil.
Albrecht: Noted that from a utilities standpoint, different materials are used which eliminate joints that
roots can get into.
Hedberg: Commented that the Committee recognized there will be challenges in assessing appropriate
amounts. The Committee has tended toward the maximum assessment amount but awaits the appraisal
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amounts, There is a wide range of value and types of homes in the neighborhood and it is possible the
project will not prove benefit to the full amount in all situations. Believes it is possible the City will be as-
sessing at less than the 40% that is the standard, Urged pursuing grants aggressively for the storm water
retention pond under the park, but if grant monies do not become available that should be reconsidered.
There has not been good storm water management in this area for decades and much improvement is
needed, Would like to see rain gardens installed to maximize the capture of runoff,
Myser: Asked if the planned 24-foot wide streets are less than standard,
Poppler: Replied the current width is 25-feet in those areas of the project. Added that residents can peti-
tion to have no parking signs on one side of the street if they desire, but there would be no issue with
emergency vehicle clearance in neighborhoods where there is not a lot of on-street parking.
Albrecht: Commented that using minimum street widths is part of reducing impervious surface, Noted that
narrower streets also have lower maintenance costs over the long term.
Myser: Clarified that 24-feet is wide enough for emergency vehicles to pass if there are two vehicles
parked on the street.
Albrecht: The 24-foot street has multiple access points from around it as well as a density of residences
and long driveways with little on-street parking. Noted it would be very similar to what already exists.
Myser: Asked if it is appropriate for the City to recommend they ask for parking on just one side.
Poppler: Replied it can be addressed at the informational meeting; talking about where the parking pres-
sures are and coach them through the process if they are interested.
Myser: Asked if a couple of streets will end up being wider than they are currently.
Poppler: Replied some of them are being standardized with the other streets,
Albrecht: Responded that the street widths are also planned to be consistent with the County's vision for
the CR 42 corridor.
Myser: Asked if any of this project's recommendations are "nice-to-haves" rather than replacements.
Poppler: Sidewalk improvements are an example. Some of the storm water improvements could be se-
lective such as the rain gardens and catch basins, The recommendations are an attempt to bring the
storm water management closer to current standards.
Albrecht: Noted that pedestrian improvements are generally paid for through general levy, This feasibility
study considered for what would be ideal for the neighborhood; and the process will include options that
Council can consider if the budget is under pressure.
Myser: Queried if the project would be bonded over two years even if it is handled as a single project.
Albrecht: Responded that the transportation budget has always identified this as a two-year bonding
project as the City does not have the capacity to do it in one year. There is not significant savings in get-
ting a single bid with one contractor for a two-year project as the contractor would have to project prices for
the next year and would want to protect against losses. The project needs to be done and there are
projects in future CIPs that could potentially be bumped if bonding needed to be spread out over a third
year to keep the tax levy where the Council wants to see it..
MOTION BY HEDBERG, SECONDED BY MILLAR TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 10-091 ACCEPT THE
FEASIBILITY REPORT AND CALL FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE 2010 IMPROVEMENT PROJECT.
VOTE: Ayes by Myser, Erickson, Hedberg, Keeney and Millar. The motion carried.
Consider Approval of a Resolution Approving a Transit Operations Plan for the City of Prior Lake,
the City of Shako pee, and Scott County; and Consider Approval of a Resolution supporting the
Purchase of the Marshall Road Site for Transit Purposes
Building and Transit Services Director Kansier introduced Scott County Commissioner Barb Mar-
schall, Scott County Public Works Director Lezlie Vermillion, Scott County Transportation Manager
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Lisa Freese, and Transit Manager Troy Beam. Marschall provided background information on the Mar-
shall Road Transit Station noting that the Transit Review Board gave approval to move forward with acqui-
sition of the site, Application was made for Chapter 152 funds and it was ranked the highest scoring appli-
cation for receiving these funds. Shakopee has approved the operations plan and the County has agreed
to fund the purchase of the property. Freese spoke of the regional partnership for the Marschall Road
Transit Station stating that the construction cost per stall is anticipated to be less than the regional average.
Funding sources and the operational plan were outlined. Stated that the Minnesota Vehicle Sales Tax is
major funding source for transit and other revenue sources are from the Metropolitan Council, fares, Jobs
Grant, cities, etc. Kansier spoke of ridership growth and the expectation that the community will be devel-
oping over the next 25 years and using this transit system. Kansier also addressed Prior Lake-specific ser-
vices and sought Council direction on use of a downtown site to complement the park and ride services.
Comments:
Erickson: Commented that SMSC is also a paramount partner for providing an inexpensive lease for the
Eagle Creek site. Commented that transit reduces congestion and provides services to those who do not
have other transit options. Agreed this would be a good project to help relieve congestion on Hwy 169; but
asked what operating expenses can be anticipated on an annual basis.
Kansier: Replied the City's primary cost is operating the bus system with Shakopee on a 60-40 basis,
generally based on $150,000 to operate one bus for one year. Other expenses are maintenance costs of
the park and ride sites. In the case of the Marschall Road site, the building will be owned by Scott County
and the City will not have expenses associated with the facility.
Vermillion: Added that the County will pay for the facility, snow plowing, etc. as part of its in-kind contribu-
tion. Stated the City could use the Southbridge site expenses as a reasonable estimate for the Marschall
Road site expenses.
Erickson: Asked to have the dial-a-ride services explained.
Beam: Replied that Smart Link supplies ADA services, dial-a-ride services for Carver and Scott seniors
and people who have no transportation. Added that the indoor parking at the Marschall Road site will al-
low buses to last longer and require less driver time as it reduces the warm-up time for the vehicles. De-
scribed the service as being open 6 a.m. - 6 p,m" Monday through Friday; cost is based on mileage; and
riders can call customer services to book a ride.
Erickson: Stated he would prefer to have both the Safe Haven and Colorado sites for the use of local rid-
ers,
Keeney: Asked how many buses Prior Lake would operate from the Marschall Road site.
Kansier: Replied that Prior Lake will have the equivalency of 3.5 buses with the new JARC bus and Sha-
kopee has five, The CMAC grant that will come online in 2013 will provide another three shared buses. A
final decision has not been made about how to utilize buses with this new site.
Keeney: Referred to a chart on page 12 of the report showing all three buses going to the Marschall Road
site and dedicated to commuter service to downtown.
Kansier: Responded that assumes that if a CMAC grant is awarded to come online in 2016, those three
buses would be dedicated to Marschall Road, but they could also stop at other sites or other buses could
be moved to other sites.
Keeney: Believes that park and rides become viable when people feel comfortable that if they miss a bus
they don't have to wait for an hour for the next one, Stated it bothers him to think Eagle Creek will only
have four trips.
Kansier: Replied that Eagle Creek will probably have at least eight buses, and with more buses there can
be more options of frequency and times of day,
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Keeney: Asked if the City would be expected to fund operation of buses in 2015 and if the report reflects
that.
Kansier: Affirmed and added that it assumes award of a grant in 2015,
Keeney: Commented that there has been conversation about the circulator service and that it is an expen-
sive per rider service, Asked if there has been any discussion of what to do with it in future,
Kansier: Replied consideration is being given to trying a modified dial a ride program in the summer to get
kids to summer school as well as to recreational areas. Expects to roll out a modified plan this winter for
summer programming.
Beam: Added that if the service is opened to the entire City population it should be able to be expanded.
Keeney: Stated he would like it to provide service for the aging population or those who have no transpor-
tation,
Beam: Noted that BlueXpress is negotiating with Southwest Metro to have two of their buses stop at our
sites in return for stopping at the Anderson Lakes park and ride.
Keeney: Commented on a downtown park and ride site noting that a viable park and ride needs enough
trips to justify a site. Believes parking spots are valuable in downtown. Would favor some other location to
serve other portions of the City, but not the downtown.
Hedberg: Asked how many parking spots there are at Colorado,
Kansier: Approximately 30 spaces.
Hedberg: Favors closing the Safe Haven park and ride due to the safety of moving buses through there
and also its redundancy with Eagle Creek. Favors a downtown drop off point and anticipates that over time
the downtown will have a greater density of people living there and it would be a viable site, Supports the
acquisition and operations plan for the Unified Transit Operations Plan. Believes the plan benefits Shako-
pee residents more (than Prior Lake); but locations must be created for people to drive to or there will be no
infrastructure for the future TH 13 / CR 282 / CR 17 intersection site. Commented that his understanding of
the financial analysis over the next few years is that transit will still have reserves by just using MVEST
money; and after that, reduction in service or some other way to keep funds in balance would have to be
considered, Given the current funding for transit, would not support the costs of the service coming back to
the Prior Lake taxpayers.
Millar: Clarified that the reason for the acquisition of the Marshall Road site is because there is an existing
facility on that site. Concurred with Hedberg that it is important to be forward looking and CR 17 is going to
be an important area for moving traffic. Commented that the report refers to the downtown Colorado site
as being the least expensive option. Asked about the cost of the service that is being proposed.
Kansier: Replied she estimates an approximate additional two hours per day which can be extrapolated to
about $25,000 annually. Stated that time and cost could be offset by eliminating the Safe Haven site,
Millar: Clarified that the current plan is to eliminate the Safe Haven site. Stated the Colorado site makes
sense. Expressed concern about losing MVEST monies in the future.
Kansier: Replied those funds can be monitored as BlueXpress is responsible for operating its own service
and can make adjustments to stay within its means. There is no plan to ultimately tax Prior Lake residents.
Myser: Will support both resolutions as they demonstrate rational and cost-effective planning. Asked how
much money is sent to the State by Scott County for MVEST and how much comes back to County.
Vermillion: Replied that the County contributes $4 million to transit, mosquito control, etc., but she is not
sure what is contributed to MVEST.
Kansier: Added that she has requested that information from the Metropolitan Council and the State De-
partment of Revenue but has received no answer.
Vermillion: Believes they do not track the information in that way.
Myser: Questioned the projections from MVEST and providing services that might have to be reduced if
funding is lost in the future.
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Vermillion: Commented that the TRB now has an operations plan put together so there is a tool with
which to evaluate and monitor. Believes that it is the frequency of buses, not who owns the buses, that mat-
ters to the rider,
Myser: Asked about the bus ramp that enters Hwy 169 just before the bridge and its potential impact on
congestion,
Vermillion: Replied the bus ramp is part of the CR 21 application for federal funding, The ramp is antic-
ipated to give a 5-7 minute advantage and is designed for buses to achieve 20 mph before accessing the
lane,
Myser: Commented on a downtown park and ride site noting that the Economic Development Advisory
Committee recently conducted a survey that cites the top problem in downtown is parking. Stated he would
want feedback from those businesses before locating a park and ride downtown.
Erickson: Asked about the definitions of "transit way" and "transit corridor" and how it affects funding.
Vermillion: Replied that transit ways are the corridors that will be invested in over the next 20 years in-
cluding Hwy 35, Northstar, etc. Hwy 169 is not in that category but rather is seen as an express service for
transit.
Erickson: Asked how it affects whether tax monies will come our way.
Vermillion: Replied that in that scenario, Hwy 169 would be a small player in big transit game with very lit-
tle input.
Erickson: Asked about the flood status of CR 41 and Hwy 101,
Vermillion: Replied that water is receding at approximately two feet per day. When the water goes down,
roadway saturation and damage will be assessed. Anticipates those roadways will be closed into the fol-
lowing week.
MOTION BY MILLAR, SECONDED BY HEDBERG TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 10-092 APPROVING A
TRANSIT OPERATIONS PLAN FOR THE CITY OF PRIOR LAKE, THE CITY OF SHAKOPEE, AND
SCOTT COUNTY.
VOTE: Ayes by Myser, Erickson, Hedberg, Keeney and Millar. The motion carried,
MOTION BY MILLAR, SECONDED BY ERICKSON TO APPROVE RESOLTUION 10-093 SUPPORTING
THE PURCHASE OF THE MARSHALL ROAD SITE FOR TRANSIT PURPOSES.
VOTE: Ayes by Myser, Erickson, Hedberg, Keeney and Millar. The motion carried.
Vermillion provided a status report on the CR 21 reconstruction,
Consider Approval of a Resolution Approving Plans and Specifications and Authorizing Advertise-
ment for Bids for the 2011 Water Quality and Retrofit Project (City Project #11-102)
Water Resources Engineer Bintner stated this proposed project will maintain and retrofit twelve ponds
that treat 220 acres. It targets phosphorus and sediment removal from stormwater flow. Explained the bid
structure. Stated that application has been made for grants including a 319h grant that adds scope to the
project. Described the project sites and provided an anticipated timeline for completion.
Comments:
Hedberg: Asked for comment on the initial success of sand iron filters.
Bintner: Replied that two sand iron filter prototypes were developed with the University of Minnesota and
the Prior Lake Spring Lake Watershed District. They were monitored and tested over the summer and are
showing to be more efficient at removing phosphorus than the pond system by itself,
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Hedberg: Clarified that the 319h grant would provide funding to increase the scope of the project but
would not decrease local contribution.
Bintner: Affirmed adding that it can fund optimization of the process and thus realize gains.
Hedberg: Asked where City funding comes from,
Bintner: Replied that it is a fee on the utility bills of businesses and households,
Hedberg: Will support stating it is important to deal with pollution that comes from runoff flowing into the
lakes.
Millar: Thanked staff for being forward looking and finding new and better ideas for helping the City to
clean up water.
Erickson: Queried about three ponds with excessive cost due to coal tar in them.
Bintner: Affirmed there are three ponds that have PAH in levels high enough that the sediment will have to
be land filled. If it has to be treated as hazardous waste, it will increase costs.
Albrecht: Stated that it cannot go to a standard landfill.
Erickson: Stated there is money available to take care of the additional expense, but the City would have
to pass appropriate ordinance in order to be eligible for it. Strongly urged the Council to consider such or-
dinance.
Albrecht: Replied that the City is moving forward with the ordinance. In mid-September the PCA released
its response to the paving technology industry report stating that the report the industry submitted mayor
may not valid depending on the actual vetting of the scientific data. When that is clarified, the Lakes Advi-
sory Committee will consider it and take the appropriate steps to build a record. Anticipates bringing a pro-
posed ordinance to the Council for adoption before the end of the year.
Keeney: Asked if there is a quantified increase in pollutants removed with these techniques.
Bintner: Replied that the phosphorus removal is nearly twice as much.
Keeney: Stated these are the kinds of actions needed to improve water quality. Will support.
Myser: Supports staff efforts. Noted that meetings are being held with the Watershed and anticipates
working on a broader plan for water quality. Believes water quality work is being done in Prior Lake that is
not done anywhere else in the State. Asked if there is value in the sediment that is pulled out of the ponds.
Bintner: Replied there is a nutrient factor and a farmer has agreed to take it.
Myser: Stated that 60-80 percent of nutrients in the lake are from farm runoff and the current legislative
system allows them to do this without having liability for it. Stated the Watershed District is trying to reduce
that runoff.
Bintner: Added that cities are held to high standards by regulation. Noted that a big source of the problem
is on the urban side; but farmers have approximately130 years of effect that changed the hydrology of the
region including actually creating a higher level in the lake.
Myser: Asked about the cost of prairie restoration.
Bintner: Responded that the cost to maintain a prairie long-term is less than maintaining turfgrass, but it
takes five years of seeding and maintenance for it to become established.
Albrecht: Added the City will also consider lower cost options for restoration that have less plant diversity
than a prairie, will be easier to establish and still achieve the goal.
MOTION BY HEDBERG, SECONDED BY KEENEY TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 10-094 APPROVING
2011 WATER QUALITY MAINTENANCE AND RETROFIT PROJECT PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS,
AND AUTHORIZING THE SOLICITATION OF BIDS THEREFORE.
VOTE: Ayes by Myser, Erickson, Hedberg, Keeney and Millar. The motion carried.
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OTHER BUSINESS
Community Events
Erickson: Commented that the Autumn Gathering went well, as did the Domestic Violence Awareness
Walk. Reminded everyone of the open house at Fire Station No, 2 on Saturday,
Keeney: Affirmed that the Autumn Gathering was a good family event and complimented staff and spon-
sors for conducting it. Reminded everyone of the Artists Reception on Thursday, October 7.
Hedberg: Invited all to participate in the Scott County Art Crawl on Saturday, October 9..
Millar: Stated the Candidates Forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters will be broadcast live on
Thursday, October 14.
Myser: Stated the SCALE/HIPP meet and greet was held last week and members sought opportunities to
find more cost effective ways to provide services. Added that on October 14 from 5-7 p,m" the Economic
Development Advisory Committee is having a meet and greet at the Wild's to socialize and gather ideas.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further comments from Council members, a motion to adjourn was made by Millar and seconded
by Keeney, With all in favor, the meeting adjourned at 9:28 p,m.
Frank Boyles, City Manager
Charlotte Green, Administrative Asst.
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