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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — MAY 12, 2025 3 by four times due to the run-off. She shared historical lake levels and how pumping has affected the lake levels since it began. She summarized there is quite a bit of fluctuation. Mayor Grant asked what her request from the Council is. Renee Marino said there is a model in place that takes 60-years of data to develop different strategies. The proposed strategy is to bring the level from 935.5 down to 935. This would require some more manpower or automation. The key takeaway from the Karth Lake Board is, this is not just an issue of protecting some properties or making the lake beautiful. If this pump had not been installed, the whole structure and expanse of the lake would be bigger and there would be fewer households. They are requesting the watershed needs to share in the cost of whatever improvements are done here. Councilmember Weber asked if Ramsey County's run off from Lexington or Hamline would make it to the Lake. And if so, does Ramsey County share any responsibility for maintenance of that water after it gets to the lake. Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen said the water does reach the lake after running through some infiltration basins. Councilmember Weber thinks there is a conversation to be had with Ramsey County since their water is making its way to the City's lake. Councilmember Rousseau said runoff comes from Shoreview, as well. She doesn't know if we have relationships where we specifically look for funding in a specific watershed area. She asked if there were any cost estimates. Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen said he hasn't had a discussion with Bolton and Menk. He would be hesitant to give numbers without knowing the results of their ongoing study. Matt Kocian from the Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD) said there are a couple of reasons the watershed district is interested in limiting lake bounce. One concern is flooding properties that could cause damage to structures and foundations. The watershed tries to manage and mitigate flooding. The other concern is water quality. Water levels bounce consistently up and down on a lake. That can destroy shoreline vegetation and create more erosion. That is bad for water quality. For those reasons RCWD is happy to participate in the modeling efforts here. Their recommendation going forward is a strategy that limits lake level bounce. RCWD has not participated in a project that specifically pumps out lakes but they have worked on other automated projects where pumps are connected to sensors in the lake. The pumps automatically turn off and on. He doesn't have a dollar amount but it is not terribly expensive. There isn't a cost share program but if the City moves forward and is looking to partner with another agency he would suggest reaching out to RCWD and let them know the option being pursued. Renee Marino said there is $100,000 set aside for the retaining wall. That could be designed to incorporate an enclosure that allows the automation and prevents vandalism. The DNR has a lot of experience with managing the water level. The equipment is a couple thousand dollars and it can be accessed via cell phone so City Staff could see the levels. There are different pump options.