06-24-2013 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING � Monday,June 24,2013 ' 7:00 o'clock p.m. (3. MCWD LONG LAKE CREEK CORRIDOR PROJECT UPDATE, Continued) Houdek stated the third element of the project involves a wetland site that has largely been taken over by reed canary grass. The wetland currently does not drain or hold water and basically does not function the way it was intended to. Originally the area used to be agricultural land but over the years it has been converted to a residential area. The goal of the project is to restore the hydraulics,retain the water longer, and reduce some of the sediment and debris into Tanager Bay. Houdek stated essentially a ditch plug will be installed to help hold the water back longer. Houdek displayed before and after pictures of what the project is expected to look like following the work. Based on the modeling that was done, it is anticipated there will not be much impact in terms of the actual wetland boundary or flood risk and the 100-year floodplain will remain the same. The MWCD is still working on obtaining some of the necessary permits and temporary easements and waiting for the water levels to go down. The study also identified a number of other viable projects, such as restoration of a former wastewater treatment pond in Long Lake. That project involves coordination with the Metropolitan Council and is expected to be undertaken in 2014. Another project that was looked at involves a stream that meanders around a former dump site. Houdek noted she visited the site with Mayor McMillan a couple of years ago but the project has been put on hold until the landowner decides whether he will be developing his properiy. McMillan asked whether the two Orono sites will be accessed through the Luce Line Trail. Houdek stated access will be through the Luce Line Trail and that she is currently working with the DNR to secure permits for those projects. Both projects should only take a couple of days a piece and should not impede use of the trail. McMillan asked if there will be any heavy equipment being utilized. Houdek indicated the wetland work will involve some re-grading and no soil will need to be hauled in or out. The other project along Brown Road will likely require some rock to be hauled in. McMillan noted the topography near that area of Brown Road is fairly steep. Houdek indicated they will probably need to go further up the trail with the equipment and then work their way down. McMillan asked if the damming of the wetland will kill the reed canary grass. Houdek indicated probably some of it will be killed and that it is likely the cattails will take over that area to a greater extend. In addition, some plugs will be planted to provide a little more variety but it is not sure to what extent they will take hold. McMillan asked if the property owner is okay with the project. Houdek indicated the MCWD is still working through some items but overall the property owner is okay with the project. Page 2 of 15