04-09-08 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL APRIL 9, 2008 Waite first addressed the issue of pollutants indicating that four years ago he reported to the City that there was some substance coming from the storm sewer drains at the Demont hockey rink that was not clear water. At that time the City Administrator indicated that he would have this checked out. Waite reported that the next year he observed what looked like anti- freeze coming from this drain. He reported this to the City Administrator and the Watershed. Waite indicated that he was informed that the School was contacted and they indicated in cleaning their machinery used for striping ballfields, there was a chalky residue washed into the storm water system. Waite indicated that the storm water did not have a white chalky appearance. Waite then reported that the next year he noticed the problem again and brought a water sample to the Watershed. The School was contacted and indicated that they rinsed out some latex paint cans and this residue flowed into the storm drains, and Waite pointed out into the lake system. Waite reported that he gave yet another water sample to the City and the Watershed and was told that they do not know what is in the water. Waite pointed out that there are tests that can be done to find out what is in the water. Waite felt someone needs to step forward and address this pollution problem. He indicated that he has contacted the PCA, DNR, Watershed, and the City with no success. Waite felt that the City should take a proactive approach to stop this, pointing out that what flows into the storm sewer system ends up in the lakes. Waite then addressed the issue of the level of Savage bake. He reported that he contacted the Watershed who informed him that the DNR controls the lake level. He then contacted the DNR who informed him that the Watershed controls the lake level. In again contacting the Watershed, they did acknowledge that they control the lake level. Blesener outlined the history of the replacement of the gate system about four years ago that existed on Savage Lake which controlled the water level. Once that system was replaced, the lake level returned to its natural levels, which was about two feet lower than it had been. Blesener noted that the property owners around the lake felt the level was too low, when i1 had, in fact, been artificially high. In working with the Watershed and the DNR on that issue, it was agreed that the lake level could be raised one foot. However, given the past few dry summers, the lake level has not reached that level. Blesener also noted that last summer property owners around the lake expressed concern about the amount of lily pads on the lake, and the Watershed provided information to the property owners as to how to obtain permits to treat for lily pads approximately LO feet from their shorelines. Blesener also noted that when lake levels are low, vegetation grows more densely. Waite commented that lily pads grow in about three feet of water and not much more.