10.6. SR 05-06-2019 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Lake Orono Improvement Association Orono Lake Improvement District Application  Serve as local sponsor and/or recipient for state, federal and private project grants. As a local unit of government the OLID is eligible for grants, including federal, to support its efforts to control, manage and contain aquatic invasive species.  Apply for and comply with the MN DNR and other state agency’s local permits and policies required for specific lake management projects. Support water quality monitoring and other lake research projects currently being conducted by the LOWQC.  Undertake lake research projects. The OLID will review all available data and work collaboratively with the City of Elk River, Sherburne SWCD, Sherburne County COLA, Sherburne County Water Board, MN DNR and MPCA on projects warranted by the data. Necessity of the Proposed District to Promote Public Health or Public Welfare The Orono Lake Improvement District (OLID) is needed to achieve an equitable and stable ongoing funding means to manage water quality, sedimentation, existing aquatic invasive species (AIS), nuisance weeds, algae, and to be positioned to cope with future AIS threats. The funds would complement City, County, State and Lake Association investments that alone are not sufficient due to the extensiveness of the concerns. The needs for the OLID parallel many of those stated in Minnesota Rule 115.0950 ELIGIBILITY FOR LAKE IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS such as: Studying the sources of and solutions to lake problems, preserving and improving water quality by means of water and related land management, sedimentation and siltation control, shoreline erosion control, aquatic nuisance control, preserving and improving fish and wildlife habitat, preserving and improving recreational potential of the lake, and any other purposes approved by the Elk River City Council pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, sections 103B.551, subdivision 3; 103G.605; and 103G.621. Benefits to Property from the Establishment of the Lake Improvement District Property owners and all Elk River residents who use Lake Orono will enjoy a cleaner, clearer and safer- to-navigate lake that will provide better recreational opportunities and improve wildlife habitat. A managed lake will also maintain and improve property values as well as add to residents’ enjoyment. It would also be an added way to be eligible for public grants. We find it is necessary to create this District to promote public health and public welfare as set forth in Minnesota Statutes Section 103B.521, Subd. 1(a)(2) as the dredging of the lake will benefit the owners of the properties in the District, the users of the lake, and the plants and animals within Lake Orono. Boundaries of the Proposed District The proposed OLID would include as members all riparian properties that abut Lake Orono, and private property owners with deeded lake access, that are not tax exempt. Further, the proposed OLID for Lake Orono ID: 71-0013-01/02 matches the definition in the special layer of the MN DNR Lakes GIS system (see Exhibit B: Map of proposed Orono Lake Improvement District). Number of Directors Proposed for the District It is proposed that the OLID have five directors – representing each of the four Lake Orono districts (West, Upper, Middle and East) established by the Lake Orono Improvement Association (LOIA) and one at-large member. As per statute the City Council will appoint the first board, but after that all directors are elected by the membership at the annual meeting. All directors must be property owners in the district and a majority must reside in the district. Page 4