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Home My WebLink About02-09-21 Chair: Tony Peleska Secretary: Gary Gerding Board Members: Aisha Elmquist Linda Hansohn Kathy Johnson Susan Johnson Renee Marino Staff Liaison: David Swearingen Karth Lake Improvement District Board REGULAR MEETING Tuesday February 8, 2021 1245 W. Highway 96 Arden Hills, MN 55112 651.792.7800 www.cityofardenhills.org Agenda Board Meeting Convenes at 6:30 PM CALL TO ORDER 1.APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA 2.APPROVAL OF MINUTES 3.PUBLIC INQUIRIES 4.OLD BUSINESS 4.1. Progress Report on Protection of Pump and Control Panel 4.1.1 Background: Linda reported that she has seen people climbing on the pump station in the lake. Todd reported that the City found the entire pump station turned upside down. The Board recommended if anyone sees someone disturbing the pump, they should call the Ramsey County Sheriff at 651-767-0640 and observed that the Sheriff’s job would be easier if there was a “No Trespassing” sign on the pump. The Board recommended that the City put a “No Trespassing” sign on the pump station. Action: Todd agreed to investigate that option. 4.1.2. Report on “No Trespassing” sign – David Swearingen 4.2 Communication plan for KLID website: Staff and Board. Background: The City has set up a KLID website that is ready to be populated and has assigned Gretchen Needham, the City’s New Communications Coordinator as the point of contact for additions and changes. Content should be Community focused. The Board agreed that the KLIDB Secretary should be the Board’s primary point of contact with Gretchen and that all additions and changes in the KLID website should be approved by the Board. Action: Gary asked the Board members to give him their recommendations for what should be on the KLID website. Gary will consolidate these, and we will make some decisions at the next meeting. 4.2.1. Recommended KLID website elements – Gary Gerding 1. Main Duties – add to existing content: a link to the KLID founding documents and bylaws 2. Meetings 3. Agenda and minutes: add all available agendas and approved minutes 4. Membership: update with new election results 5.Articles about Karth Lake from Arden Hills Bulletin 6.Lake water quality testing and results. A. Report of most recent results B.How the measurements are done. CAMP: Citizen Assisted Monitoring Program Summary CAMP Manual Link to CAMP Video training 7. Karth Lake Portions of Southwest Urban Lakes Study 8. Nursery Hill Lane Raingarden Design and plantings 9. Adopt-a-Drain Program 4.2.2. Approved Additions to website - Board 5. NEW BUSINESS 5.1 Plan process for next election of KLID Board Members and Officers whose terms have expired. 5.1.1 Plan process for announcement of election and invitation of candidates including media and message. Background: The Board agreed the City should mail out an announcement of the election. Action: Kathy volunteered to draft the letter. The Board will agree on the letter at the next meeting. Here is the letter Kathy proposed with some additions and changes by Gary: Karth Lake Neighbors, This April, there will be an election of members of the Karth Lake District Improvement Board (KLIDB) whose terms are expiring. The KLDIB is comprised of elected Karth Lake residents who meet four times a year to determine and implement improvements to our beautiful joint backyard, Karth Lake. Terms will run until: 2024 (3 members); 2023 (2 members) and 2022 (one member). Elections are every April. The process is simple. Email Todd Blomstrom at TBlomstrom@cityofardenhills.org and tell him your street address if you would like to come to the April (Zoom) meeting and/or stand for election. At the meeting, candidates will briefly present their qualifications, and everyone present at that meeting will vote. There will also be an election of the Chair and Secretary for the next year. How does KLDIB help? Glad you asked! The board has worked with the City of Arden Hills, the DNR and the Rice Creek Watershed District on many projects. These projects have brought the lake from borderline eutrophic (green and unpleasant) to healthy. Our lake is truly a study in how thoughtful management can make a marked improvement. Some examples of what the KLDIB has helped implement are: • water quality monitoring program and tracking • installing catch basins and rain gardens • fish stocking and weed removal • buckthorn removal and shoreline erosion management • water level management and pump maintenance Please consider joining the volunteers of KLIDB. Meetings are posted on the Arden Hills city website and everyone is welcome to attend any meeting. Thanks! The Karth Lake Improvement District Board 5.2. Maintenance and improvement of Art Larsen Memorial Gardens – Background: Susan has worked with the City and several volunteers to remove weeds from the garden and add over 100 new plants. Watering has required hauling buckets of water. Action: The Board asked Todd to report whether the City sprinklers in Cummings Park reach the garden and whether we could coordinate sprinkling with new plantings/dry spells, etc. 5.2.1. Sprinkler Status and Plans – David Swearingen 5.3 Long Term Strategic Plan Elements: Projects and Funding – Board & Staff 5.3.1. Remediation of BMP #1 Site – Background: Todd gave us an update of the status and plans at the last meeting, but we did not have time for questions. Questions for Todd include: 1. On the figure below, do all the yellow lines indicate pipes? Please explain what each node and line represent. 2. Show where BMP #1 starts and ends on this photo. 3. Are the 2 nodes east of the northmost building a low spot where filtration takes place? 4. Please explain the elements of the schematic of the Grading and Utility Plan. 5. Does the remediation include any mechanism to catch solids -- like a grit chamber — so they do not get in the lake? 6. Is there any mechanism to capture oil products and other pollution and nutrients that are contained in the runoff from the parking lot and road before they enter the lake? 5.3.2. Maintenance of existing pumping system: Do we recommend funding in advance with assessments? How much per year? When do we start? After Assessments for recent repairs end? 5.3.3. Add Grit Chambers to storm drains that empty into Karth Lake and do not have Grit Chambers now. Next Steps: Plan to identify them; Identify likely dates for adding Grit Chambers. David Swearingen and Board. 6. NEXT MEETING 7. ADJOURN Karth Lake Improvement District Board Draft Minutes of Regular Meeting January 12, 2021 Call to Order/Roll Call The meeting convened at: 6:30 PM Present: Board Members: Tony Peleska, Chair; Gary Gerding, Secretary; Aisha Elmquist; Gail Graff; Linda Hansohn; Kathy Johnson; Susan Johnson. Staff Liaisons: David Grant, Mayor; Todd Blomstrom, Public Works Director Karth Lake Residents: Renee Marino; Jim Elliot; Jason Rahn. Absent: Gail Graff. Gary reported that: Gail has resigned from the board; Gail said she has enjoyed working with the board; Gail has made many contributions to Karth Lake, including serving on the board and taking CAMP lake water samples for the last few years. 1. Approval of Agenda The agenda was approved as written. 2. Approval of the minutes of the previous meeting: The minutes of the previous meeting on January 15, 2020 were approved as written. 3. Public Inquiries: None 4. Old Business 4.1. Status of Replacement/Repair of Pump and Control Panel (Option 1) - Todd Blomstrom. • Pump was installed and began running on April 15, 2020 • Pump was stopped on May 18 due to water level • Pump is generally the same size and capacity • New water level marker installed in May (see photo on following page) 4.1.1. Linda reported that she has seen people climbing on the pump station in the lake. Todd reported that the City found the entire pump station turned upside down. 4.1.2. The Board recommended that the City put a “No Trespassing” sign on the pump station. Action: Todd agreed to investigate that option. 4.1.3. The Board recommended if anyone sees someone disturbing the pump, they should call the Ramsey County Sheriff at 651-767-0640. 4.2. Communication plan regarding funding/assessment decisions/recommendations for Replacement/Repair of Pump and Control Panel (Option 1) - Staff and Board 4.2.1. Todd Blomstrom: Report of progress on setting up KLID page on the city website. The Karth Lake website link is on the following Arden Hills site page (see second photo below) and now looks like this (see third photo below). Gretchen Needham, the City’s New Communications Coordinator is the point of contact. Content should be Community focused. 4.2.2. Board: Plan for next steps. 4.2.2.1. The Board agreed that the KLIDB Secretary should be the Board’s primary point of contact with Gretchen and that all additions and changes in the KLIDB website should be approved by the Board. 4.2.2.2. The Board agreed the assessment for the Pump and Control Panel should be communicated by the City like all other assessments are communicated. 4.2.2.3. Action: Gary asked the Board members to give him their recommendations for what should be on the KLID website. Gary will consolidate these, and we will make some decisions at the next meeting. 5. New Business 5.1. Plan process for next election of KLID Board Members and Officers whose terms have expired. 5.1.1. Gary reported that the following terms for the following members expired in April 2020 without renewal or replacement because the COVID19 pandemic prevented us from meeting: Linda Hansohn, Kathy Johnson, Susan Johnson and Gail Graff. Terms for the following members will expire in April 2021: Tony Peleska (Chair) and Aisha A. Elmquist. The term for the following member will expire in April 2022: Gary Gerding (Secretary). The Board agreed on the following: Resolution Because of the COVID pandemic, the board was unable to hold its annual election of members in April of 2020. Consequently, we resolve that the terms of all members that expired in April of 2020 will be extended until the next annual meeting in April of 2021. The Board unanimously elected Renee Marino to membership on the KLID Board, to replace Gail Graff who resigned. 5.1.2. Plan process for announcement of election and invitation of candidates including media and message. The Board agreed the City should mail out an announcement of the election. Action: Kathy volunteered to draft the letter. The Board will agree on the letter at the next meeting. 5.1.2. Plan voting process: online; in person; by mail? Because it will be a Zoom meeting we will elect by a show of hands. 5.2. Report results of 2019 water quality monitoring for Karth Lake – Gary Gerding Our thanks to Andrew Elmquist and Gail Graff for gathering the water samples and observation data every two weeks from April through October! And our thanks to the Metropolitan Council Labs for the analysis of the water samples. The data shows that the Karth Lake water quality in 2019 held the gains we made in reducing water nutrients and increasing the water clarity. These gains are the result of our many improvement efforts including: • Building a rain garden to catch runoff nutrients from Nusery Hill Lane; • Stocking the lake with 1,000 predator fish several years ago to drive down algae through the food chain; • Annual removal of excess weeds and debris (in order to remove nutrients). The graphs on the next page below show the annual average readings for years 2006 through 2019 of 1. Chlorophyll-A (Chl-A) & Total Phosphorus (TP) and 2. Secchi Depth. Chl-a (Chlorophyl A) average is an indicator of the algae level. It held at about 9 ug/L, equal to the previous year, which is: • Less than half the 20 ug/L MN standard maximum for non-impaired lakes; • Less than one-third the level of 40 ug/L we averaged in 2010. TP average increased slightly to about 35 ug/L which is • About 58% of the 60 ug/L MN standard maximum for non-impaired lakes; • And about 58% of the 60 ug/L level we averaged in 2009. Secchi depth average (clarity) increased slightly to 2.5 meters which is: • 2.5 times better than the 1.0 meter MN standard minimum for non-impaired lakes; • About 3 times better than the 0.8 meter level we measured in 2009. I continue to be pleasantly surprised by the stable positive results we get each year because there are many factors working to drive up nutrients and drive down clarity, including: runoff from the streets and watershed that adds nutrients and silt and makes the lake shallower; yearly increases in average temperatures that speed the growth of algae. Several Board members reported seeing heavy fishing in Karth Lake last season and asked whether we needed to consider restocking. Action: Gary will ask the DNR for their opinion. 5.3. Report results of 2020 Removal of Excess Weeds and Debris from Karth Lake – Susan Johnson. Weeds were removed from about 8,000 square yards of Karth Lake. Twenty-four of the forty-five homeowners participated in the voluntary weed removal program. Donations of $7,690.00 were forwarded to the Arden Hills Foundation. The cost of the weed removal was $6,875.00. 5.4. Report progress in maintenance and improvement of Art Larsen Memorial Gardens – Susan Johnson Susan has worked with the City and several volunteers to remove weeds from the garden and add over 100 new plants. Watering has required hauling buckets of water. Action: The Board asked Todd to report whether the City sprinklers in Cummings Park reach the garden and whether we could coordinate sprinkling with new plantings/dry spells, etc. 5.5. Long Term Strategic Plan Elements: Projects and Funding – Board & Staff 5.5.1. Remediation of BMP #1 Site – Todd Blomstrom, Status and plan. Status Update • Project plans and specifications are nearly complete: see 2 photos below. • Plan review by RCWD due to grant funding • Acquisition of easements from property owner • Planned bidding early spring 2021 5.5.2. Erosion Control at Pumping Site – Todd Blomstrom, Status and plan. Status Update • Imported recycled bituminous material • Stabilized foundation of pump control panel • Placed berm to redirect water down trail vs. over wall • Removed table and debris • Contacted DNR to discuss permitting requirements 5.5.3. Pumping report for 2020: When did pump run this year? What was the level when it was shut off? See chart and photo on next page. 5.5.4. Maintenance of existing pumping system: Do we fund in advance? When do we start? Plan communication message and media. Tabled for next meeting. 5.5.5. Add Grit Chambers to storm drains that empty into Karth Lake and do not have Grit Chambers now. Next Steps: Plan to identify them; Identify likely dates for adding Grit Chambers. Todd Blomstrom and Board. Tabled for next meeting. 6. Next Meeting: We asked Todd to arrange a Zoom meeting of the Board and staff at 6:30 PM on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2021. 7. Adjourn Respectfully submitted, Gary Gerding, Secretary 2020 2019 2017 2016 Date Info Date Info Date Info Date Info 5/1/2020 9.8 6/19/2019 Start Pump 9'8" 7/28/2017 Start pumping 4/11/2016 9'0'' 5/8/2020 9.4 6/24/2019 9'7" 8/15/2017 9'6" 5/25/2016 9'1'' 5/11/2020 9.3 6/28/2019 9'3" 8/22/2017 9'3" 8/3/2016 Started pumping, level 5/18/2020 1.1 Pump off 5/15, new stick 1.1 7/8/2019 8'9" 9'3" 10/3/2016 Level at top of stake 5/26/2020 1.1 7/23/2019 Pump Inop. 8/28/2017 9'0" 10/30/2016 Level at top of stake 6/1/2020 1.2 7/25/2019 Pump Pulled 9/5/2017 8'6" 6/8/2020 1.2 9/10/2019 2"over stake 9/11/2017 8'5" 6/15/2020 1.1 10/9/2019 4" over stake 9/13/2017 8'2" 6/22/2020 1.1 9/18/2017 8'2" 7/6/2020 1.1 9/22/2017 Pump removed 7/13/2020 1 7/20/2020 0.9 8/3/2020 0.8 8/10/2020 0.8 9/14/2020 0.8