9.1. SR 09-16-2019 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Order Establishing Orono Lake Improvement District This matter came before the Elk River City Council on June 17, 2019, on a petition to establish a lake improvement district for Lake Orono. The City Council, having considered the petition for a lake improvement district, the comments made at the public hearing held on June 3, 2019, the advisory report from the Department of Natural Resources and all other written comments submitted, makes the following Findings and Order. FINDINGS 1. The City of Elk River received a petition ("The Petition") on April 10, 2019, requesting the establishment of a lake improvement district for Lake Orono. 2. The signatures on the Petition have been verified by the Elk River City Clerk, and the Petition meets the requirements of Minnesota Statutes, Section 103B.521. 3. Notice of the June 3, 2019, public hearing on the Petition was published in the Star News on May 11 and May 18, 2019. 4. Notice of the public hearing was mailed to all property owners within the proposed Orono Lake Improvement District (OLID) on May 10, 2019. Notice of the public hearing was also emailed to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources and the Sherburne County Soil and Water Conservation District on May 9, 2019. 5. The Petition and supporting documents were made available to the public on the city's website and at Elk River City Hall. 6. Lake Orono is included on the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's list of impaired waters for mercury contamination and for excessive nutrients. Lake Orono has experienced chronic problems with aquatic invasive species, including curly leaf pondweed. The reasons to create the OLID include: (1) Implement a comprehensive program to alleviate current ecological stressors and recreational impairment on Lake Orono, brought about by excessive aquatic invasive species, native plant overgrowth, algae proliferation, excess nutrients and sedimentation; (2) Maintain, restore or establish natural upland buffers to encourage wildlife, help prevent decline in species, deter Canada geese, and provide enjoyment for future generations; (3) Increase public awareness and use of Best Management Practices targeting the reduction of sedimentation, phosphorus and salt inputs from upstream and shoreline sources to Lake Orono; (4) Build the public perception and "brand" of Lake Orono as a quality recreation destination, valuable community asset and safe lake; (5) To maintain and improve water quality in Lake Orono; and (6) To obtain financial assistance through public land and private grants and other funding sources for these activities.