05/12/1975 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MAY 12, 1975 Had received notice of bond cancellation effective July 1, 1975 from the Integrity Mutual Insurance Company for the Blue Heron and Hank's Cafe. This company will no longer write insurance in Minnesota. Read the Tree Inspector's report. He will attend the May 27, 1975 meeting to discuss disposal sites for diseased trees. Mr. Andrew Cardinal, President of the Rice Creek Watershed Board, was here to answer questions in reference to maintaining water levels in the lakes. This had been brought to the attention of the Council by the request of the St. Paul Water Department to withdraw a certain number of gallons from Otter Lake. Mr. McLean felt that in requiring permits for use of the water, that a gallonage permit is not important as long as a minimum lake level figure is established - possibly by working out a provision for emergency levels for periods of droughts and high water levels that would required community concern as well as that of the watershed district. Mr. Cardinal said that the withdrawal permits are new and he felt that even though a gallonage figure had been noted on the application (this was required by the DNR) the withdrawal of water would be no more than last year. Mr. McLean thought that a gallonage permit without a defined control on the taking of the gallonage taken is not a control and the permit is meaningless. Mr. McLean said the only way to insure some sort of control is to establish a water level for the lakes. Mr. Cardinal gave the Council copies of a record of the water levels in the various lakes dating from 1962. Mr. McLean suggested this record as a basis for establishing the water levels in these lakes. He asked Mr. Cardinal if there is a time schedule for establishing this and Mr. Cardinal said, Not at the present time. Mr. McLean felt this should have priority. Mr. Cardinal felt that money would be a problem. The overall plan must be approved before any time schedule is set. He asked that a letter expressing these thoughts be sent to the Board. Mr. Jaworski asked Mr. Cardinal if the Watershed Board would request that the State clean the ditch near the Youth Center. Mr. Cardinal said that the request would be made upon a written request from the City. The Clerk was asked to write a letter to the Board with this request. Mr. McLean asked if the Rice Creek Watershed District controlled all ditches within their district? Mr. Cardinal said, "Yes." Mr. Jaworski asked if there was a map of all the ditches? Mr. Cardinal thought there was and he will get a copy to the office. Mr. Zelinkas asked where the offices of the District are now? Mr. Cardinal said in the Arden Hills Plaza, and if no one is there, they have an answereing service. Mayor Bohjanen thanked Mr. Cardinal for his time and information. The Clerk had received two bids for animal control for the City - one form B & E and one from MAPSI. The two bids were discussed but due to lack of information, the Clerk was asked to have a representative from each company at the next Council meeting. Mr. McLean moved to table this decision until the May 27, 1975 meeting. Seconded by Mr. Jaworski. Motion carried. 153