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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — DECEMBER 8, 2025 6 Councilmember Rousseau asked if the City owns the land on the side of the lake by Cummings. Mr. Fisher said this is all City property. There may be some easements in the vicinity but they aren't right down by the water. Councilmember Rousseau asked if the runoff that comes down from the businesses is on City property. Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen used the graphic to show the property line between the City and the private property. He said uphill from this area is all private property. Mayor Grant asked what the plans for the retaining wall are. Mr. Fisher said they identified an erosion risk associated with the existing retaining wall. They determined there was no need to replace the retaining wall. They will reestablish the initial grade and provide additional stabilization in the area. That will tie into the area really well and will likely cost less than installing a brand new retaining wall. Councilmember Monson asked if Karth Lake is a stormwater pond or does it essentially function like one. Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen said the DNR considers it a lake. Councilmember Monson asked why there is a district there. She wants to understand why the City would treat Karth Lake differently than other lakes, especially since it is its own district and can levy. Councilmember Holden said half the lake gets high and people were complaining about erosion in their yards. The other half, on the low end said there was no erosion. They formed a lake association through the City in order to get the approval for us to tax them. The board came up with the idea of the first pump to prevent erosion. Councilmember Monson asked why we would look at the installation of the second pump any differently. Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen said the City is contributing flows off our streets to this lake. Most lakes have a natural outlet, this one does not. Through development, the watershed for this lake has expanded. The lake was stable, via natural evaporation, prior to the development. More water goes into the lake which raises the water level. The contributing flows are City right of way, Ramsey County right of way and some Shoreview properties. The 50150 agreement came about because of that. Councilmember Monson asked why they still get to be a district, if the City is saying this is a City responsibility. Maybe it's not necessary anymore. Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen said that is something Council could consider for a deeper discussion. However, this is what exists today. He shared that the last time the City levied against Karth Lake was to replace the pump.