07-22-09 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL JULY 22, 2009 dredged to a depth of 15 feet, West Savage would be restored to a lake again. McGraw asked Mr. Waite to outline his requests. Waite replied that he would like to see the weir raised. He was unsure as to how much but suggested a range of 1 %z to 3 feet. He felt the lake level should be raised to a point just under the top of Don Smith's wall. Blesener suggested that if the lake level were raised 1 '/z feet, the water would be over the top of this wall. McGraw asked how Mr. Waite proposed that the City cause the weir to be raised. Waite requested that the City get behind his request and propose it to the Watershed and the DNR. Blesener noted that it is the DNR that has the authority to control lake levels. 1'he City Administrator indicated that even if the City could support the increase in lake level, the property owners around East Savage will likely not support it given the Watershed's study that shows two or three homes would be at risk. Waite noted that when the Watershed did their study they did not take into consideration the historical levels of the lake. Waite pointed out that the freeway fence was never moved and the culvert was never moved. Keis asked if Waite's position was that raising the West Savage water level will resolve all other concerns. Waite thought that was true as raising the water level will cause the lilies to go away. McGraw suggested that the City contact the DNR, its State Legislators, and the Watershed and indicate its support for raising the water level. McGraw noted that the DNR has the ultimate control and will respond to the City's letter documenting their position on this issue. McGraw felt that this response should be the final decision and put the matter to an end. Waite again commented on the actions of Harold Schrunk from DNR in visually looking at Savage Lake in 2004 and declaring that the Ieve1 of the lake at that time was the OHW level Keis stated that this is what Waite believes was done, but there may have been more analysis into the OHW than that. Waite indicated that he has Schrunk's field notes. Blesener recommended that the City Administrator write a letter to the DNR and Watershed requesting that the OHW level be reviewed. Blesener also noted that Savage Lake is not considered a lake. Waite asked about the Gopher Electronics property concerns. Blesener directed the City Administrator to contact Gopher Electronics and ask that they clean up their site. The Administrator reported that Gopher Electronics had indicated in 2008 that they would work with the Watershed about the issue of surface water from their parking lot flowing 13