HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016/04/04 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study SessionOfSt. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES
M I N N E S O T A CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL STUDY SESSION
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
APRIL 4, 2016
The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Jake Spano. Gregg Lindberg, Tim Brausen, Steve Hallfin,
Anne Mavity, Thom Miller, and Susan Sanger.
Councilmembers absent: None.
Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Senior Engineering Project Manager (Mr. Elkin),
Engineering Director (Ms. Heiser), Communications Specialist (Ms. Pribbenow), and Recording
Secretary (Ms. Batra).
Guest: Mr. Charles Hathaway (Senior Water Resources Engineer, Barr Engineering)
1. Update on Bass Lake Preserve Improvements
Mr. Elkin presented the update on the Bass Lake Preserve improvements. The Department of
Natural Resources (DNR), the Watershed District, the Board of Soil and Water Resources, and
the Army Corps of Engineers were contacted to get a framework for what type of permits will be
involved to achieve the goals of the area. Staff reviewed City Council reports and minutes from
previous study sessions to get a sense of what was needed for the project and the possibilities.
After meeting with regulators, the plan was formulated.
Mr. Ellin discussed the three proposed areas for the Bass Lake Preserve improvements, which
include infrastructure improvements, dredging, and upland vegetation management. A tree
inventory was conducted; the wetlands were evaluated; and a master plan for vegetation
management was created for the removal of diseased and evasive species of trees.
Mr. Elkin explained that before upland dredging could be addressed, a plan had to be created for
the sediment. A number of samples were collected and tested. These tests found that the middle
of the lake did not show signs of sediment. Rather, the middle of the lake only showed
decomposition of the natural vegetation and cattails.
Mr. Elkin stated the next focus moved to vegetation management. According to the DNR, up to
40% of the preserve's vegetation could be removed for maintenance. However, concrete reasons
that would prohibit function must exist in order to remove the vegetation. Also, if the removal is
not done on a permanent basis, the vegetation will grow back. Removing vegetation for open
water is not advised at this time.
Mr. Elkin discussed Carpenter Park and what the proposed plan is for that area. The subsurface
basin would raise the elevation of the park, which would in turn capture more storm water to be
used on the parks and ballfields. Additionally, credits are built up for treating this area. These
credits can be used for redevelopment projects such as the light rail. Mr. Harmening added that
this facility would reduce the phosphorus load by approximately 20 pounds, which is notable.
Couneilmember Miller asked for more information on dredging. Mr. Elkin replied that the DNR
must approve dredging, and dredging is only approved in specific conditions. Mr. Hathaway
stated that the primary issue with dredging is that dredging changes the characteristics of the
wetland. The DNR is not favorable to that outcome, because changing the characteristics is not
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the right way to manage wetlands. In addition, Mr. Hathaway explained that the wetland that is
removed would have to be created somewhere else. Mr. Elkin stated that the DNR requests a
plan that must meet specific outlined conditions in order to approve dredging.
Ms. Heiser explained that the DNR has a checklist of items that must be met in order to permit
dredging. Staff has reviewed this list extensively to look for the required criteria; however, this
history was not found. Mayor Spano asked, assuming that all the criteria were found, where the
replacement wetlands would have to be created. Mr. Hathaway responded that wetlands would
be required to be recreated locally; however, since that most likely would not be possible, credits
could be purchased to use somewhere else.
Councilmember Mavity challenged the designation of wetlands versus a lake. Mr. Hathaway
explained that the Bass Lake preserve is currently classified as a wetland. Councilmember
Mavity asked whether reclassification is a public process, and Mr. Hathaway responded that he
did not know. Councilmember Mavity explained that the preserve has been a lake for 140 years.
Mr. Elkin stated that the physical characteristics of the preserve have now changed. Mr. Elkin
further explained that there was not a tipping point. Mr. Hathaway stated that the designation
doesn't really matter because the history is still the same. Councilmember Mavity pointed out
that the designation does govern what can be done to the area in terms of improvements.
Councilmember Sanger explained that the information presented by staff is different than the
information presented by Friends of Bass Lake. She asked if consideration had been given to
gather all information, present this information to the DNR, and allow them to make a decision
on how to proceed. Mr. Elkin explained that as part of this process, more research was
conducted. Conflicting information about the elevation of the outlet was found. The elevation
was set in 1907 and staff is trying to figure out what the elevation was prior to that year. In
addition, every City has their own date in reference to taking surveys. In 1920, there were
changes and more evidence can be found to support that.
Mr. Elkin discussed the information fiom Friends of Bass Lake and explained the similarities in
the information that staff presented. The water level now only means that the water level has less
ability to increase to the levels it used to be. However, the situation hasn't changed that much.
Mr. Elkin presented a map to show the area that is being discussed. Ms. Heiser explained that the
pipes that empty into the wetland are below water. With the existing pipe network, the
infrastructure system was based on water equalizing due to elevation. Councilmember Sanger
confirmed that dredging wouldn't help the situation. Mr. Elkin explained that if the water level
was raised, the pipes would have less volume and capacity when it rains than when it was lower.
Mr. Hathaway stated that if the water was raised in Bass Lake, the pipes would overflow faster.
Councilmember Branson stated a marsh and a wetland are being discussed. This area did not
occur overnight; it has been here hundreds of years. I -Ie added that dredging the wetland for
aesthetic purposes is ridiculous.
Councilmember Mavity stated that sediment has built up in the lake and has increased as this
area has been used extensively for storm water management over the past several decades. She
asked about the northeast corner that Friends of Bass Lake is concerned about. Ms. Heiser stated
that one of the goals of this project is to improve water quality as stated in the Beltline Report.
Councilmember Mavity asked if Bass Lake itself was part of the filtering system and Ms. Heiser
responded yes. Councilmember Mavity asked where the balance is and how the plan was
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constructed. Mr. Elkin explained that the proposed plan was designed to achieve water quality.
He further stated that during the summer, there is significant phosphorus change. However, in
the fall, this foliage becomes part of the fertilizer.
In response to Councilmember Mavity's request for what's expected of the Council, Ms. Heiser
explained that the Carpenter Park proposal is ripe for a Council decision due to the credits the
City would earn to apply to another project, the reduction in phosphorus, and the expansion of
useable space. Staff proposes that the City move forward on this plan due to all of the benefits.
Councilmember Hallfin stated that the whole City is built on a marsh. He inquired as to when the
body of water was named Bass Lake, and he asked about the history of the area as that could
possibly answer some of Councilmember Mavity's questions.
Councilmember Lindberg stated that it makes no sense to open up the lake for the purpose of
aesthetics. He requested that the Council review this issue from an environmental prospective.
The urban reality of storm water management is Bass Lake. In reference to the northeast corner,
he stated that improving the quality of vegetation and upland vegetation management makes the
most sense as that approach will have inherent environmental benefits. Reducing phosphorus just
makes sense.
Mayor Spano explained that his concern, as was previously, is the City attempting to make the
area into something that it's not designed to be. Mayor Spano stated, in the interest of the
broader aquatic environment, the suggestions brought to the Council are the right thing to do for
the environment.
In reference to vegetation management, Councilmember Mavity stated that this idea is not just
for aesthetics. If nothing is done, street sediments are going to eventually fill the lake. Mr.
Hathaway agreed with Councilmember Mavity's statement for the west end of the lake.
However, Ms. Heiser explained that sediment was not found in the center of the lake.
Maintenance dredging would be permitted at the west end of the lake due to the samples found.
The Council decided to continue the discussion at a future study session before any action is
taken.
Communications/Meeting Check -In (Verbal)
None.
The meeting adjourned at 7:22 p.m.
Mel ssa Kennedy, City Clerk