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. . . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - SEPTEMBER 11, 2000 15 With regard to the issue of assessments, Mayor Probst stated that it was the City's policy to individually assess any property that fronts on a strcct based on the assessment rate that is established. He noted that the assessment rate is intended to be established based on a typical 32, foot wide street and the width of a street does not affect the assessment rate. Mayor Probst pointed out that, although reconstruction of Hamline Avenue would not be assessed, it would still be the City tax payer's money paying for the project. Mr. Brown presented tlle Fernwood Channel considerations and options as bcing to improve water quality add a pond; landscaping, picnic area, pathway, weirs; Lake Josephine Hills Association's needs; or to do nothing. Staff recommends permanent ponding with possible weir structure used to improve the water quality going into Lake Josephine. This includes addressing the needs of the Lake Josephine Hills Association and appropriatc landscaping. The Task Force has opposition to any change in the land in and around the Fernwood chamlel. If there is something done, the landowner's needs have to be addressed, An audience member suggested that the proposed weirs should be placed higher up the channel rather than near the lake because the water drains both ways, He indicated that at this time the holding pond is dry, however, there normally is water in the pond, He stated that the rain storm that occurred a week ago had drained into the wetlands, Mr. Brown stated that the weir would be connected to the wetland via a pipc system. He stated that the interaction between the wetland and the lake would be maintained, An audience member asked ifMr. Brown had read the recommendations of the Association, Mr. Brown responded affirmatively, An audience member asked if the idea of a grit chamber had been rejected. Mr. Brown stated that a grit chamber could be considered to enhance the water quality. An audience member noted that there was a small distance between the existing channel and the wetland and the wetland is currently a large reservoir for the runotT He stated that the existing run off from the roads runs into the wetlands, At this time there does not appear to be any water running into the lake, Thereforc, the proposed changes would essentially be duplicating the existing situation, which requires no maintenance, He asked if a study has been done on the current quality of the water. He indicated that most of the run off water comes from the backyards and he believed that this water is relatively clean, He noted that there are fish in the channel, which means the oxygen level in the water must be sufficient Mr. Brown stated that a specific study of the water quality has not been done, He stated that the water that runs from yards and impervious surfaces can be polluted. He acknowledged that it would be possible to construct a weir higher up stream, An audience member asked if the notion of diverting the water from the channel to the wetland and then to the lake had been explored, Mr. Brown stated that, although this may be a