04-24-2000 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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a ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FOR APRIL 24, 2000 (Lake Minnetonka Water Quality Study, Continued) Stations at various spots in the lakes, with measurements being taken four times a day to determine the phosphorus level. Bartell stated the water quality of the local lakes has remained fairly normal over the past few years, with clarity of the lakes being reduced over the years. Over the summer months the clarity of the lake tends to be reduced somewhat. Barter commented the water quality of some of the lakes, unless preventative steps are taken, has the potential to decrease due to increased water flows from developments. Long -term water management of the lakes is extremely critical in order to preserve and improve the water quality in this area. Mayor Jabbour commented that the levels of phosphorus go up and down and never is completely eliminated. Eric Evinson, Administrator of the MCWD, stated he is available for ally questions the City Council may have regarding the efforts being taken to monitor the water quality of the local lakes. Kelley inquired how the MCWD actually monitored the actual levels of phosphorus runoff. Evinson stated it is very difficult to actually monitor along the lakeshore, but that the MCWD has identified the major drainage points into the lake and those areas are monitored. Sansevere inquired whether anv of the lakes were unsafe for swimming at this point. Bartell commented that algae is not a desirable thing for a beach and usually will not pose any health threat. Barter stated efforts should be taken in order to address the issue of recycling the phosphorus in the lakes, which can be accomplished in a couple of different ways and costs in the neighborhood of $400 to $500 an acre. Mayor Jabbour stated the chemical treatment process is only permitted once on a lake and another permanent solution needs to be found. Bartell stated the chemical treatment process can be effective for up to 18 years and has proven to be fairly effective at treating the algae. Barten stated Hennepin Parks plans to reduce the amount of monitoring done on some of the lakes in the future due to the costs. Bartell stated in his opinion monitoring of some lakes will continue to occur into the future. Mavor Jabbour stated the citizens of the area need to become aware of the reasons why the City Council requires limits on hardcover and stresses good water management. Barter stated he has spoken with the LMCD on a couple of occasions and has suggested that they do a shoreline inventory to see hoxv much natural shoreline exists and complete a comprehensive plan assessment. Barten stated to his knowledge they will be completing some type of plant assessment and shoreline assessment in the near fifuture. Barten strongly recommended the Citv ff consider adopting an ordinance regulating phosphorus, which would be a good step towards .