09-20-83 CCM - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

LAKE ELMO COUNCIL MINUTES - 9/20/83 Page 8 Congressman Sikorski�who was apprised of current situation, have met with Washington County Commissioners 8/2/83 and presented them with petition signed by 109 residents requesting that we be provided safe public water that would be financed with general County tax funds. Several members attended the Joint Oakdale/Lake Elmo Planning Commission meeting to make known our organization's approval of being part of an Oakdale City water system. We feel all levels of government have been responsive to our situation, however maybe not as quickly as we'd like. (ii) We understand Ramsey County has established a $1 million fund to clean up the situation and that Washington County is establishing a fund of $500 thousand. We want to let you know that we favor public water supplied by an Oakdale well and are asking for your support and cooperation in this by encouraging County to work in this direction. (iii) If all fails, we will seek more media attention and have also held discussions with a legal firm, an independent real estate appraiser, and a geologist. • Morgan - What type encouragement have you received from County at this point? (Geiger - It's been strictly verbal but we are getting positive feeling that Board is willing to provide us with safe water.) County was here at last meeting describing experi- mental program to purge the groundwater by pumping back away from area; what do you think of that approach? (We're not against it but feel we have a much more immediate need.) e Eder - Are many taking availability of water up here? (Geiger - at last meeting we were given 25 keys, 20 of which have been issued.) ® Morgan - Do you have something specific for Council to do? (Geiger - yes, we'd like encouragement to County for public water supply.) I happen to believe that is only solution, too. • Eder - At joint meeting, one suggestion made to Planning Commissioners who live in northern part of community was to ask their neighbors and friends about expanding the water supply. Then City would have to decide if it would be provided by Lake Elmo or Oakdale, how is it going to be paid for, etc. Perhaps a more formal survey should be made of residents to see if area should be expanded or limited so that engineer can research issue. Action would be taken when Planning Commission has information or makes recommendation. • Geiger - Petition with 109 names on it might be helpful for some type of survey. County has stated they will fund project and have filed suit against 5 or 6 companies. o Morgan - wish City could more expeditiously find a way to get water supply into that area which I think is only solution. ® Larry Bohrer - Somebody said that to build free-standing public water supply in Lake Elmo would cost $1 million and if obtained from Oakdale it would cost $750,000. Do not know where figures come from, but water coming from Oakdale is not close. (Geiger - Oakdale is willing to drill well immediately if someone is willing to pay interest on their money. Believe $1 million came from public hearing at school in June.) a Eder - Oakdale has to have property owners saying they want to have water, too, in order to make this happen; so there's no simple answer.