09-07-2010 CCM - Laserfiche WebLink

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Cits~ Council l~finutes Page 3 September 7, 2010 Andrew Hulse, 18862 Concord Street -Vice President of the Association, stated he supports the draw down and noted that 75 percent of the riparian landowners signed a petition for the draw down. Gerald Plummer, 13538 Islandview Drive -Stated he would like to see rules put in place regarding boat motor sizes and speeds due to curly leaf pond weed growth being increased when it is chopped up by boat motors. Acting Mayor ylJestgaard closed the public hearing. Ms. Blake-Bradley discussed the curly leaf pond weed. She explained that there are no other alternatives for reducing the weed in the lake other than hand pulling them. She explained that the city does utilize this method but noted the difficulty of keeping up with the weed population due to the water surface size. She discussed a chenucal method that is available but wouldn't be allowed on Lake Orono by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) due to the Elk River flowing through the lake and washing die chemicals downstream. Acting Mayor Westgaard asked if staff could get feedback from the DNR on whether it is a losing battle to fight the weed due to the size and type of watershed of the lake. He questioned if at some point costs need to be weighed. against the benefits. Ms. Blake-Bradley stated the DNR would ask what the city- wants for the lake, whether it be a sportsman's lake (for fishing) or a recreation lake (for boating) in order to determine how the weed should be controlled. She stated if it is to be more of a recreational lake, then there would need to be regular draw downs of the lake to control the weed. • Councilmember Zerwas stated lake owners have requested that the city apply for a permit for the draw down and that the city should send the request to the DNR who are the experts on when or if a draw down should occur. He stated he felt the weed needs to be controlled. MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER ZERWAS AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN TO AUTHORIZE STAFF TO SUBMIT A PERMIT APPLICATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES TO ALLOW THE TEMPORARY DRAW DOWN OF LAKE ORONO TO HELP CONTROL CURLY LEAF PONDWEED. MOTION CARRIED 3-0. 5.2. Discuss Council Worksession Agendas Ms. Johnson presented the staff report. She noted that Acting Mayor Westgaard requested to add an update regarding the Public ~X/orks Master Plan. Council concurred with the draft agenda items. Council took a recess at 7:30 p.m. 6. Recess to Budget Worksession - Lpper Town Conference Room Council reconvened at 7:37 p.m. Ms. Johnson presented the staff report. •