06-25-08 Additions - Laserfiche WebLink

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• Dredging of the Jackson/Demont wetland by the City. Dredging of Savage Lake is likely not feasible given cost/benefit and access issues; • Water treatment improvements through the installation of rain water gardens. City to send out mailing to determine interest; • Continued enforcement of Watershed District rules; • Upgrade of City equipment and increased street sweeping and improved snow and ice control. At this point, the meeting was opened to public comment: Don Smith, Little Canada Road, indicated that the problems with Savage Lake are that it is too low and water levels should be raised. Aichinger reported that the DNR controls the water level and neither the Watershed nor the City can raise the water level. Smith again noted that there were no problems on Savage Lake until the weir structure was installed and the water level lowered. Aichinger suggested that the only way to get the water level raised was to contact local politicians and request that they sponsor legislation to get that level raised. Rocky Waite, Lakeshore Avenue, agreed with Smith's comments indicating that Savage Lake was fine until the weir structure was installed. Aichinger reported that the Watershed will no longer allow manipulated gate structures as previously existed on Savage Lake. He also noted that the DNR sets the ordinary high water level (OHW). Waite asked what the OHW was in 1965. Aichinger replied that it was the bottom level of the pipe. The City Engineer indicated that there is a diagram showing that the lake level was at 899.17 in 1965 when the interstate was constructed. Aichinger noted that a lot depends on which benchmark was being used, and there are multiple benchmarks. Aichinger reported that the Watershed uses mean sea level. A property owner stated that in the 1960's the water level was a lot higher. Aichinger noted the manipulated outlet was a factor. When that outlet was closed, the level would rise. Waite stated that he has a document which indicates that the City used 899.17 as the OHW in 1979. Waite pointed out that the water level is three or more feet lower. He also indicated that water lilies cannot grow in water deeper than 3 feet. Aichinger indicated that water lilies cannot establish in water depths greater than 3 feet, but once established they grow in levels up to 10 feet. The current lake depth is 6 feet. Waite pointed out that he has a letter from Watershed staff to the contrary, and Aichinger indicated that the contents of that letter are incorrect. Aichinger again indicated that the Watershed nor the City can set lake levels, it is the DNR that does this. Aichinger again indicated that State Law would have to be changed to increase the water depth of Savage Lake. The City Administrator pointed out that the issue of lake level cannot be resolved this evening, and agreed that it would take legislative action to increase that level. There was additional discussion of the manipulated system that had been in place to control the Savage Lake wetland level, and it was again noted that these types of systems are no longer allowed. 1�