05-05-25 - Council Work Session Agenda

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT ITEM NO. 7 STAFF ORIGINATOR: Tom Hoffman, Environmental Coordinator WORK SESSION DATE: May 5, 2025 TOPIC: Birchwood Acres Pond Treatment Background Staff has received feedback from concerned residents regarding the aesthetic quality of storm pond RLA-010-B located in Birchwood Acres Park. This pond treats stormwater runoff from nearly 70 properties located primarily on Hawthorn Road and Lonesome Pine Trail in the Park Grove development. Communication has gone back several years to deal with concerns of vegetation, smell, and stormwater management. The main concerns include the vegetation that covers the surface of the pond and odor. The vegetation present on this pond is primarily duckweed, which provides water purification by incorporating nutrients. It is also an important food source for wildlife. The odor is primarily due to decomposition of plants and algae. In response to residents' concerns, city staff took steps to ensure the pond was functioning properly. The city also initiated water quality sampling to check phosphorous levels in September of 2020. The phosphorous detected was at levels typical for stormwater ponds. The pond was also surveyed in July of 2021 to determine its functionality in terms of stormwater management. The survey and associated analysis found that the pond is functional and does not require additional maintenance at this time. The maintenance recommendation from WSB, the City's Engineer, was to maintain this pond at its current level. The inlet and outlet structures were deemed functional and not in need of additional maintenance at this time. Staff provided residents with other alternatives to improve water quality and aesthetics of the pond. 1. Good landscaping and yard care habits remain the best tool at the residents' disposal to limit pollutant loading in the pond. These practices include limiting fertilizer use in lawns, cleaning up after pets, washing vehicles on the lawn rather than the driveway, reducing deicing salt use, and preventing grass and leaves from entering the stormwater system.