08-02-2010 CCM - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Minutes August 2, 2010 Page 2 Elk River Utilities Coininissioner John Dietz discussed a complaint received by Councilmember Motin regarding utility rates in Elk River. He distributed a letter from • Utility Superintendent Troy Adams to the complainant and noted the letter offered comparisons of rates between Elk River Utilities and other local utility companies. He noted Elk River Utilities was in line with surrounding communities. Commissioner Dietz stated the Elk River Utilities is called upon many times by the Minnesota Municipal Utility Association to assist other communities. Commissioner Dietz discussed the quick response time of Elk River Utilities during a recent storm in Elk River. He noted the utility company who owned the lines couldn't make it to the site for 6-8 hours but that ERMU was able to respond quickly to restore power. Andy Fischer, 13231 182nd Lane -Handed out photographs of the prairie grass plantings at the intersection of Hudson Avenue and Orono Parkway. He expressed visibility concerns with vehicles that sit lower to the ground being unable to see the intersection clearly. Paul Sheets, 1766 5~ Street -President of the Lake Orono Improvement Association - Discussed the dredging study and curly leaf pond weed projects for Lake Orono. Dredging Study Mr. Sheets stated the study was to be a cost-share project between the Association, the City, and the County with a total project estimate of $5,000. He stated the Association is requesting $2,000 from the city for the study. He stated the last dredging study was done approximately 11 years ago and the plan was that the lake wouldn't need to be dredged again for 20-30 years. He stated the study would help deterinuie if they can wait for the full 20 year span to dredge again or whether they may need to do something sooner due to some silting that is occurring on the lake now. He noted if they need to dredge they would need to find a place to store the silt and costs would be much higher this time around. He stated they are seeking out options that are less costly based on early intervention. There was discussion on which fund the money should be taken from to help pay for the study. MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER ZERWAS AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER WESTGAARD TO AUTHORIZE $2,000 FROM COUNCIL CONTINGENCY FOR COST SHARE PARTICIPATION IN A LAKE ORONO DREDGING STUDY. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Curly Leaf Pond Weed Mr. Sheets stated the Association would like to draw down the lake in order to kill off some of this invasive weed. He stated the Association has gotten 75% of the riparian landowner's signatures on a petition and that a public hearing is required at the city level before the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) can authorize the draw down. •