07-01-2024 Council Work Session Packet

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1 CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT ITEM NO. 5 STAFF ORIGINATOR: Michael Grochala, Community Development Director WORK SESSION DATE: July 1, 2024 TOPIC: Shenandoah Park Water Quality Improvements Project ______________________________________________________________________________ BACKGROUND In 2022 the City Council authorized a partnership with the Rice Creek Watershed District to identify potential water quality improvements to reduce volume and sediment/nutrient loading to Rice Lake. Rice Lake is designated by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) as an impaired water. The study evaluated potential improvements to Shenandoah Park. A private ditch system maintained by the City runs through the park, under Birch Street, and discharges into Rice Lake. The ditch serves as the primary stormwater outlet for the residential neighborhood extending south to Coyote Trail. Most of the park area is comprised of partially drained wetland. Staff is of the opinion that opportunity exists for a restoration project that would enhance water quality and provide an improved greenway element to the park. The final report was completed in December of 2022. The report included four alternatives of which 2, options 3 and 4 were recommended by the Environmental Board for future consideration. Each of the concepts provided water quality and volume improvements, ecological restoration, and floodplain mitigation. Options for future trail connections were also evaluated. Due to the estimated cost of the projects, it was recommended that the City pursue grant funding through RCWD or other agencies. The City’s 5-year Capital Improvement Plan identified this project for implementation in 2025. The Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) has established the Watershed Based Implementation Funding (WBIF) Grant Program. The grant program allocates funding to each watershed area for allocation in a collaborative local process. City staff and RCWD have proposed the Shenandoah project for funding through this program. We are currently seeking funding that would include alternative selection and preparation of plans and specifications, estimated at $55,000. Once design is completed, the City and RCWD would pursue additional construction funding through the program. Depending on the alternative selected total project costs could range from $250,000 to $500,000.