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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/15/09 MINUTES OF THE LAKES ADVISORY COMMITTEE September 15, 2009 The Lake Advisory Committee (LAC) Meeting was called to order at 4:30 P.M. Members present: Donna Mankowski (Vice Chair), Dan O’Keefe, Char Jasan, Tom Voll, Liz Weninger. Others present: Ross Bintner (Water Resources Engineer), Stacy Sass (Watershed District Technician), I. CALL TO ORDER II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Motion by O’Keefe, Second by Voll, Approved 4:0 III. OLD BUSINESS A. PLSLWD Water Resources Management Plan comments: Bintner explained that the WRMP is a foundational document guiding the management of the WD for the next decade; the City is reviewing the document and is seeking LAC input. The Plan emphasizes cooperation with local governments. Bintner said he thought citizen involvement and technical advisory involvement seemed to be lacking in the plan. Bintner asked if the LAC had comments on the PLSLWD WRMP. Mankowski said she was part of the advisory committee at one time, and suggested that many citizens do not have any awareness of the PLSLWD and what they do, and that the WD should make more of an effort to connect with the community. Weninger said she thought the document was focused on Prior Lake, and should focus more on Spring and the watershed area. Bintner added that there is a focus on implementation in the WD plan, saying the Board of Water and Soils Resources audit showed the PLSLWD compared favorably to other districts in the state in the amount and percentage of their budget that is used for implementation of its goals. For the past 5 years the WD has been focused on completing the outlet structure and channel, but that project is coming to a close. There must be a renewed focus on implementation in the upper watershed to meet the TMDL and water quality goals of the district. Weninger asked if the WD partners with the Sioux community? Bintner said the SMSC is party to the MOA for maintenance of the outlet channel. Voll asked about the status of the outlet channel. Bintner said construction is 1 planned this fall and next spring for 3 of the 4 segments of the channel and the structure. By 2011 the majority of the channel work will be complete. Voll asked if the outlet improvements will have effects that residents will notice. Bintner said it’s not likely there will be a visible effect to residents. B. Street Sweeping Grant Study: Bintner updated the LAC on the status of the sweeping grant application and reviewed the concept of a targeted intensive street sweeping program. Mankowski asked how the City will promote the study to the public. Bintner said we are still thinking about the roll out phase, but that we would definitely be sharing the information widely. Voll said as an engineer, he hears excitement from a lot of cities about the study. C. Pond Maintenance Project review: Bintner explained the lifecycle of a pond and how they are maintained. The plans will go to the City Council this month and if approved the ponds will be maintained between November and February. Mankowski asked if ponds 1,2 and 6 being adjacent to county and state roads are filling faster or if cost share is involved. Bintner said each pond takes only city drainage, but the design life is much shorter than it should be. The trend means big problems for the budget if the entire system has a shorter design life than planned. Mankowski asked what is the main cause of the shortened design life? Weninger asked if sanding operations are a cause. Bintner said poor Construction site erosion control and road sanding are major factors in pond life. O’Keefe asked if we hire the cleaning out to contractors, and if the City has considered doing the projects with their own equipment. Bintner answered that it has been considered, but the current staff mix does not allow it. Voll asked if this is the first pond maintenance project. Bintner said this is the first major cleaning and that in the past only small inlet cleaning were done. D. Surface Water Regulation (Ordinance 703): Mankowski asked the status; Bintner said there are no changes proposed at this time. The LAC discussed the previous proposal. Jasan volunteered to write a proposed ordinance revision. LAC members suggested content for Jasan to author. IV. OTHER BUSINESS Donna said Great River Greening is running a buckthorn removal on Spring Lake Regional Park on October 24. Gary Montz updated the City on their Zebra mussel survey, saying they found many less than expected. 2 V. STAFF UPDATE VI. NEW BUSINESS VII. ADJOURNMENT THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 6:00 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Ross Bintner Water Resources Engineer 3