05-14-2018 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, April 23, 2018 7:00 o'clock p.m. 20. APPROVAL FOR BIG ISLAND MASTER PLAN — Continued middle of the lake and it will be a challenge to maintain. Seals thanked City Engineer Adam Edwards, the Watershed District, and Bolton and Menk for their work on this. Seals commented the veterans are excited about gaining increased accessibility to Big Island and that they are working toward improving the trails to provide handicap accessibility. Seals noted to obtain any grants, you need a plan, and to obtain legacy funds, you need a plan. Without a plan, it likely will end up costing twice as much and take twice as long. Walsh noted the City reimplemented the Park Commission with a budget and that the City is being sensible in their improvements on the Island and elsewhere. Seals moved, Crosby seconded, to approve the Big Island Master Plan. VOTE: Ayes 3, Nays 0. 21. LONG LAKE WATERSHED PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT FOR CARP REMOVAL AND STUDY Edwards stated over the past few years Orono has been working with Long Lake, Medina, and the Watershed District with the goal of improving water quality in Long Lake. In 2016, the City Council passed a resolution agreeing to partner with Long Lake and Medina to explore opportunities to apply for grants and collaboratively complete larger regional projects to meet these goals. In 2017, the group applied for but did not receive a Hennepin County grant to conduct a 3 -year study of carp impacts on the watershed. Subsequently, the Long Lake Waters Association approached the various parties and asked if the group would be interested in moving forward with a smaller scale study and removal plan. The LLWA is now proposing a one-year study of the carp as well as removal of the carp at the same time. The work will include lake bed obstruction removal; electrofishing surveys, radio tag implants, telemetry surveys, carp aging study, and carp removal. The intent is to use the information gathered from this project to inform future carp related activities in the Watershed. The Cities of Long Lake and Medina have agreed in principle to participate in the plan. Edwards stated it is also his belief that the Watershed District has agreed in principle to participate. Long Lake will act as the contracting party and manage the project funding. The LLWA is asking the City to contribute $10,000 to the project. Edwards stated funding for the project would come from the Stormwater Management Fund. The City's Capital Improvement Plan forecasts TMDL projects in the amount of $51,000 per year. No other projects for 2018 have been identified for TMDL reduction. Staff recommends approval of the proposal. Mayor Walsh asked if anyone from the public would like to comment on this item. Cassandra Ordway, 1145 County Road 6, stated she would like to commend all involved parties for their work the past two years and that the proposal tonight is a great first step at improving the watershed, which is a long-term commitment. Ordway stated understanding the carp, which will not solve all of the Page 11 of 15