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<br /> STAFF REPORT <br />DATE: April 1, 2025 <br /> CONSENT <br /> <br />TO: Mayor and Councilmembers <br />FROM: Nicole Miller, City Administrator <br />AGENDA ITEM: Support for Lake Elmo Lake Association to submit a letter of intent for <br />habitat restoration through the Priority 2 settlement <br /> <br /> <br />CORE STRATEGIES: <br /> <br />☐ Vibrant, inclusive, connected community ☐ Efficient, reliable, innovative services <br />☐ Responsive, transparent, adaptive governance ☐ Balanced Finances now and future <br />☐ Managed Growth ☒ Resilient Infrastructure <br /> <br /> <br />BACKGROUND: <br />The Lake Elmo Lake Association are looking for the City Council’s support to submit a letter of <br />intent for funding to improve and enhance outdoor recreational opportunities in our community. <br /> <br />As part of the 3M settlement, $20 million in grant money was set aside to compensate for losses <br />to recreational and ecological resources resulting from PFAS released by 3M. The DNR and <br />MPCA have elected to solicit project proposals directly from the organizations and communities <br />via a public RFP process. The first part of the process is for the organization to submit a letter of <br />intent. After review of all letters, this will be followed up with a full application of the proposed <br />project. The lake association is interested in submitting a letter of intent to full removal of <br />Eurasian watermilfoil (EWM) and Curly-leaf pondweed (CLP) along with restoration of the <br />native plant community. <br /> <br />ISSUE BEFORE COUNCIL: <br />Does the council support the Lake Elmo Lake Association submitting a letter of intent to the 3M <br />Settlement fund to remove EWM and CLP as well as restore the native plant community? <br /> <br />PROPOSAL DETAILS/ANALYSIS: <br />Included in your packet is the letter of intent drafted by The Lake Elmo Lake Association for full <br />removal of Eurasian watermilfoil (EWM) and Curly-leaf pondweed (CLP) along with restoration <br />of the native plant community. The letter of intent would be reviewed by the DNR and MPCA <br />and along with all other applicants for a sum of money which has been allocated strictly for <br />restoration of wildlife and habitats, recreational fishing related projects and non-fishing related <br />outdoor recreation projects. <br />