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STAFF REPORT <br />DATE: APRIL 14, 2026 <br />WORKSHOP DISCUSSION <br />TO: Mayor and Councilmembers <br />FROM: Adam Swanepoel – Assistant Public Works Director <br />AGENDA ITEM: Legion Ave. Properties <br />CORE STRATEGIES: <br />☒ Vibrant, inclusive, connected community <br />☒ Responsive, transparent, adaptive governance☐ <br />☐ Managed Growth <br />☐ Efficient, reliable, innovative services <br />☐ Balanced Finances now and future <br />☐ Resilient Infrastructure <br />BACKGROUND: <br />The Valley Branch Watershed District (VBWD) is a local unit of government that manages water resources within <br />the Valley Branch watershed. The VBWD covers approximately 70 square miles including numerous waterbody <br />basins and streams within Lake Elmo. In 2025, the Valley Branch Watershed District acquired several homes on <br />Legion Avene for stormwater and watershed mitigation efforts. <br />Legion Pond is a 17.5-acre landlocked waterbody with no natural surface outlet, water levels are controlled <br />primarily by precipitation, evaporation, seepage, and groundwater conditions. Homes in this area were <br />constructed in the early 1970’s along the east side of the pond. During the extended wet period from roughly <br />2014–2020, high precipitation combined with elevated regional groundwater levels caused Legion Pond to reach <br />historically high and sustained water levels. <br />These prolonged highwater conditions resulted in flooding and ground water related impacts to nearby homes. <br />In response, the VBWD conducted emergency pumping in 2020 to reduce immediate risks to affected <br />properties. Subsequent technical evaluation by the VBWD, in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, <br />assessed a range of long-term management approaches for Legion Pond, including property acquisition, <br />installation of pumped outlets, and combinations of these strategies. The analysis concluded that property <br />acquisition was by far the least costly option. <br />Following this evaluation, the VBWD approached owners of the homes identified as below the 100-year flood <br />level of Legion Pond, and the owners voluntarily sold their homes to the District. The District has hired a <br />contractor who is currently in the process of removing the homes, with all removals expected to be completed <br />by this summer. <br />ISSUE BEFORE COUNCIL: <br />Would the City be interested in acquiring any of the properties along Legion Avenue?