06-24-1991 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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11 .61 ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD'JUNE 24, 1991 ( #16)LIQUOR LICENSE REVIEW CONTINUED procedure 011 as outlined in Attachment "A" of Bernhardson's June 20, 1991 memo. All voted aye. Motion passed. ( #17)SEWER POND LEVEL - PERMIT REQUEST Bernhardson* reported that Staff is in the process of submitting a permit to the Department of Natural Resources to establish a level in the pond. He referred Council to his June 12, 1991 memo which outlined the historical events pertaining to the pond. After speaking to representatives from the DNR,-it is Staff's recommendation that a level of three feet above the lowest point is sufficient to sustain wildlife, while minimizing the City's liability. The permit would be subject to certain conditions that would allow the City to drain the, pond if problems occur. Draining would only occur in conjunction with permission from the DNR. Jabbour stated that he has have indicated. that the City compost site. He asked Staff if spoken to several residents who has been using the pond for a this is true. Gerhardson answered in the affirmative. George Hust, 820 Old Crystal Bay Road South, .distributed pictures of the sewer pond before and after the City drained it. He stated that the' pond had been very deep and was used by.a large number of water fowl. Mr. Hust also provided a photograph of the compost pile situated on the property. He advised that the DNR became involved with this issue at the request of Brad Peterson, and they were extremely concerned about the condition of the pond. Callahan indicated that the City should submit the permit to the DNR asking permission to increase the water level in the pond. He stated that two of the Park Commission members have discussed the pond level with him. Callahan said, "It seems to me that we ought to request a six foot level, rather than three feet. That does not mean the pond must be filled to six feet, but could be if we find that more desirable. While we are waiting for a response from the DNR, we can review the report from the Park Commission regarding their recommendations for the pond." Goetten inquired as to the size of the pond. Brad Peterson, 2160 Shevlin, stated that' the pond is seven acres. Mr. Peterson has - resided in the area of the sewer pond for. some time and offered to give Council a brief description of what has .transpired since the pond was created. He stated that the pond was used for 20 years by the City to take the, sewage from the area, but was abandoned when the area hooked into the Metropolitan Waste system. The pond sat in an abandoned state - 19 -