03-11-2024 CC Agenda Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Date: March 11, 2024 Item: 14 Presenter: Adam Edwards, City Administrator / Engineer Section: Presentations Title: Minnehaha Creek Watershed District Presentation - Resolution 7453 1.Purpose: The purpose of this Council action is to show support for (1) the ongoing partnership with the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) and cities of Medina and Long Lake to advance efforts to improve water quality in the Long Lake Subwatershed, and (2) the MCWD’s plans to implement the County Road 6 Pond Retrofit project. 2.Background: Since 2018, the cities of Orono, Long Lake, and Medina; Long Lake Waters Association (LLWA); and Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) have been working together toward a common goal of improving water quality in the Long Lake Creek Subwatershed. The partners aim to restore five impaired lakes in the system to meet state water quality standards, providing fishable and swimmable lakes that enhance the quality of life in their communities. To support this effort, the MCWD led the development of a science-driven implementation roadmap (Roadmap). This involved conducting a subwatershed assessment to identify the water resource issues, the drivers causing the issues, and implementation strategies to address them. From there, the MCWD worked with the partners to identify project opportunities, evaluated their cost-effectiveness, and developed an implementation strategy and project recommendations to achieve the water quality goals. In fall 2020, the MCWD presented the preliminary findings and recommendations from this assessment to the city councils of the three cities. More information about the work to date can be found on the MCWD website or in the attached factsheet. 3.Process: One of the priority projects identified in the Roadmap is a retrofit of the County Road 6 Regional Stormwater Pond, located in the City of Orono. This pond was originally constructed by MCWD in the mid-1990s to improve the water quality of Long Lake, and it is under an easement held by MCWD. In September 2023, the MCWD completed a feasibility study that concluded that the construction of a sand filter bench within the pond could remove an additional 67 pounds of phosphorus annually, in a cost-effective manner. The MCWD has included the project in its capital improvement plan and budget and is ready to move into design. Before formally establishing any project, it is MCWD’s practice to seek the support of the city where the project is located. MCWD will also hold a public hearing for the project on March 28, 2024. At the March 11, 2024 City Council meeting, MCWD staff will provide a presentation that will include an overview of the partnership history, the Roadmap, and the proposed project. MCWD will then request the City Council’s support for the ongoing partnership to advance efforts to AGENDA ITEM 152