8.1. SR 02-03-2020 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

City of Qk*' River Request for Action To Item Number Mayor and City Council 8.1 Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by General Business February 3, 2020 Amanda Erickson, Environmental Coordinator Item Description Reviewed by Lake Orono drawdown requirement for the Lake Brandon Wisner, Stormwater Coordinator Reviewed by Orono Restoration and Enhancement (LORE) project. Cal Portner, City Administrator Action Requested Approve, by motion, the resolution of support to pursue drawdown approval for Lake Orono from the Minnesota DNR Commissioner for direct lake drawdown approval or the option for an opt -out direct mail petition to each adjacent property owner on Lake Orono. Background/Discussion The LORE project continues to move forward as staff works with WSB & Associates to design plans and engage the Technical Advisory Panel (TAP) members for feedback. TAP members include members from the city, DNR, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sherburne Soil and Water Conservation District and two lakeshore property owners. The TAP met in December to review preliminary 50% plans. Comments were submitted in mid January for review and are incorporated into the plans that will be shared the city council. Many of the comments pertain to the dredging location and the incorporated habitat improvements. Staff and the consultant continue to balance the desires of lakeshore property owners with project budgetary limitsadn realistic plans permitted by the DNR. The plans will be further updated and again shared with the TAP for review in the coming weeks. With many stakeholders involved, consensus is requested of the council for the overall goal of the project. Next steps include: A public open house (March), lake drawdown approval, submission of applications for regulatory permits (February), 100% plans/drafting of construction documents and specifications for the public bid process with an anticipated start date of an August 2020 lake drawdown. Per Minnesota State Statue 103G.408 -Temporary Drazvdozvn of Public fFateis, either direct approval from the DNR Commissioner or the support of 75% of riparian landowners by petition is required. A letter was sent in August of 2019 to Commissioner Strommen requesting approval necessary for the drawdown. No response has been received. Our local DNR contact stated the 75% support is standard practice, even for their projects. OLID and LOIA would like to again pursue direct commissioner approval or request the option for an opt - out mailing directly to lakeshore property owners, rather than gaining signatures for support. City staff would be responsible for again contacting the DNR Commissioner in request for direct approval or requesting this additional opt -out option. The Elk River Vision A welcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional,` 01 e service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity INAMIRE1