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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-13-21 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 July 13, 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 Remediation of BMP #1 Site 4.1.1 Progress Report - David Swearingen 4.1.2 Karth Lake BMP 1 Observations and Questions - Renee 4.2 Maintenance and improvement of Art Larsen Memorial Gardens 4.2.1 Background - The City planned to upgrade the sprinkler controllers in mid-May and then set them to water the garden. 4.2.2 Sprinkler status and plans - David Swearingen 4.3 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. 4.3.1 Background – David reported at the April meeting that a crew will inspect and clean the grit chambers in the spring. The City hired WSB to create GIS records of storm drains and grit chambers. Will include this on the list by mid to late summer. Pavement upgrade scheduled for 2024 for Amble and neighborhood. Automated rating of streets will be done soon. David will give updates at future meetings. 4.3.2 Grit chamber status update – David Swearingen 5. OLD BUSINESS 5.1 Proposed changes in lake level control process – Renee Marino 5.2 Plan for removal of excess weeds and debris for 2021 – Susan Johnson 6. NEXT MEETING 7. ADJOURN Minutes of Karth Lake Improvement District Board Regular Meeting 6:30 PM, Tuesday, April 13, 2021 1.Call to Order/Roll Call 1.1The Zoom meeting convened at: 6:40 PM. 1.2 Present: Board Members: Tony Peleska, Chair; Gary Gerding, Secretary; Linda Hansohn; Kathy Johnson; Renee Marino Staff Liaisons: David Swearingen, Interim Public Works Director; Kyle Axtell, Water Resource Specialist / Project Manager, Rice Creek Watershed District. Karth Lake Residents: Perle Zhitnitskiy; Barb & Kent Stennis 1.3 Absent: Susan Johnson; Aisha Elmquist. 2. Approval of Agenda The agenda was approved as revised. 3. Approval of the minutes of the previous meeting: The minutes of the previous meeting on February 9, 2021 were approved as revised. 4. Board Member Election Results: Because COVID-19 prevented us from having the last round of elections in 2020 and because of a board resignation, terms had to be re-staggered with this election. The results are as follows. All votes were unanimous: A. 3-year terms (April 2024) (3): Renee Marino; Aisha Elmquist, Kathy Johnson B. 2-year terms (April 2023) (2): Linda Hansohn; Tony Peleska C. 1 year term (April 2022) (1): Susan Johnson 5. Election of Chair: Tony Peleska and Secretary Gary Gerding 6. Public Inquiries: None 7. Old Business 7.1 Remediation of BMP #1 Site 7.1.1 Background: Q: Board members expressed concern about the likelihood that future construction in Shoreview that is within and near the Karth Lake watershed could add more runoff and nutrients. This could increase the water level and pollution of Karth Lake. Board Members thought the lake levels have varied higher since the townhouses were built east of Lexington Ave. Board Members have observed significant water flow into Karth Lake from the holding pond east of Lexington and Karth Lake. 7.1.2 Report from Kyle Axtell: What controls are in place to prevent an increase in Karth Lake water level and nutrient load caused by new construction in Shoreview? Kyle showed a Graphic Information System map of Karth Lake and its watershed. Kyle said the watershed is all developed, and no redevelopment expected, so no more inflows to Karth Lake should be created. Linda asked about wooded area south of the existing townhomes. and partially included in the Karth Lake Watershed. Renee: noted that a corner of the undeveloped area is in the Karth Lake watershed, and asked whether a street sewer on the southern edge of the KL watershed could redirect water into KL watershed; said the Board should be given a heads-up if there is a watershed change because our residents incur the costs of increased inflows in the form of increased pumping and pump maintenance. David said: Shoreview cannot redirect water into Arden Hills without approval which is unlikely to be granted. Tony asked: does Arden Hills require and Environmental Impact Analysis. Can the KLIDB be included in any EIA if Shoreview develops land the affect the KL watershed? Kyle said: what he could do is plant a review note that says KLIDB should be included in any action; and will look at permit files for the property in 2016. Kyle will send GIS maps to Gary. Renee: can we get any history of development? Kyle will look to see if there is anything. After the meeting Kyle sent an email with a summary of his presentation and comments. Here it is: “I am following up as promised from the 4/13 KLID meeting. I took a couple of screenshots from our GIS mapping system that show the Karth Lake sub watershed boundary and the LiDAR topography of the area. I think these two are representative of the information I discussed and showed during the meeting. The third figure is a close- up of the Shoreview parcel east of Lexington Avenue that was discussed at length during the meeting (4166 Lexington Avenue N). You will see three points identified on this parcel: • 87-066: This is the original RCWD permit for development of the existing building on the site. Stormwater does indeed drain to the south and east, away from Karth Lake. The intended build-out of the rest of the site was envisioned to do the same, although that development has never occurred. • 16-041R: This is the review file I mentioned during the meeting. At that time, a developer was proposing a series of high-density residential buildings (initially, two) beginning in the NE corner of the parcel, presumably expanding west toward Lexington as units filled up and demand increased. That development never materialized. The concept also assumed runoff would drain to the existing stormwater basins to the east, away from Karth Lake. I will note that any future development will likely need to expand upon the existing stormwater treatment. It is highly unlikely that the existing basins (from the 1980's) would meet current stormwater management standards. • 21-092R: This is the "flag" I planted on the site to make any future RCWD permit reviewer aware of KLID's interest in the area. I added a specific note that the primary concern was any additional runoff volume leaving this site and possibly entering Karth Lake, which is landlocked. I referenced the pumping system and that the residents must pay for its operation and upkeep. As discussed during the meeting, I would encourage KLID to communicate with the City of Shoreview regarding any potential for further development of this site. RCWD is not aware of any current proposals. I hope this is helpful for KLID and its members. Thank you for being an active and engaged community partner!” 7.2 Progress Report on Protection of Pump and Control Panel 7.2.1. Background: At our January meeting 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. At our February meeting David said that Jeff Frid, Public Works Superintendent, will bolt a sign on the pump structure that says, “Warning, Stay Back.” Board members again emphasized that the Sheriff’s job of responding to calls would be easier if there was also a “No Trespassing” sign. Then it would be clear that disturbing it was not allowed by the city. Action: David will investigate adding that sign. 7.2.2. Update of action plan - David Swearingen There is a No Trespassing sign at site. David noted there is a place on the city website to request city action. Remediation of retaining wall in city budget for 2022 or 2023. The city will be looking for additional grant from RCWD. The city has redirected water to avoid the retaining wall and control panel. 7.3. Progress report on additions and changes to Karth Lake portion of City website - Renee Marino Renee has worked with Gretchen Needham, the City’s Communications Coordinator to correct and populate the site with several of elements the Board recommended in the last meeting (see 2/9/21 Minutes). Here is a screen grab of the Karth Lake home page that shows some of the changes, correction and additions made. Note that Renee located all the minutes and Gretchen uploaded them to the site. We went from a few recent meeting minutes on the site to a nearly complete set from the inception of KLIDB!! In addition, Renee has indexed and summarized the topics covered in each of the minutes from August 2004 to the present! This is a Herculean task and an extremely useful way of making the minutes accessible for research of past decisions and accomplishments. It turns the minutes into an Encyclopedia of knowledge about Karth Lake water quality and watershed management. The index is pasted below. If you click on it, it will open into an Xcel document you can easily scan. 7.4 Maintenance and improvement of Art Larsen Memorial Gardens – 7.4.1 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 from the homes of neighbors nearby who volunteered to help. David said Jeff Frid would investigate the sprinkler system in the spring and modify it as needed to water the plantings. 7.4.2 Sprinkler Status and Plans - David Swearingen: The City will upgrade the controllers by mid-May. The sprinklers will be set up to hit the garden. 7.5 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. 7.5.1 Background: David will work towards identifying storm drains that empty into Karth Lake but do not have a grit chamber. 7.5.2 Grit Chamber Status Update - David Swearingen: Crew is now inspecting and cleaning grit chambers. Hired WSB to create GIS record of storm drains and grit chambers. Will include this on the list by mid to late summer. Pavement upgrade scheduled for 2024 for Amble and neighborhood. Automated rating of streets will be done soon. Will give updates at future meetings. 7.6 Lake Level Gauge 7.6.1 Background: At our last meeting the Board asked David to research answers to the following questions: A. Does the gauge measure actual depth or is it just a reference point? B. How is it anchored? 7.6.2 Gauge update – David Swearingen: The gauges are not depth indicators they are just reference points. They are just driven into the lakebed. 8. New Business 8.1 History of lake level and depth data - Renee Marino Renee presented the history of Karth lake depths presented in the following chart. This chart is derived from pumping data and two measurements that Renee has made. (I will email the table of values with the minutes – the table did not copy well into the minutes.) 9. Next Meeting: July 13, 2021 10. Adjourn Karth Lake Improvement District Board Minutes of Regular Meeting Tuesday, February 9, 2021 Approved: April 13, 2021 1.Call to Order/Roll Call 1.1The Zoom meeting convened at: 6:30 PM 1.2 Present: Board Members: Gary Gerding, Secretary; Aisha Elmquist; Linda Hansohn, Chaired this meeting; Kathy Johnson; Renee Marino. Staff Liaisons: David Swearingen, Interim Public Works Director. Karth Lake Residents: Jason Rahn. 1.3 Absent: Susan Johnson, Tony Peleska, Chair 2. Approval of Agenda The agenda was approved as written with the addition of “Questions about Lake Level Gauge” added to new business. 3. Approval of the minutes of the previous meeting: The minutes of the previous meeting on January 12, 2021 were approved as written. 4. Public Inquiries: None 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: David said that Jeff Frid, Public Works Superintendent, will bolt a sign on the pump structure that says, “Warning, Stay Back.” Board members again emphasized that the Sheriff’s job of responding to calls would be easier if there was also a “No Trespassing” sign. Then it would be clear that disturbing it was not allowed by the city. David will look into adding that sign. 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: The Board agreed to the above list by unanimous vote. Renee offered to help with the additions, design and editing of content on the Karth Lake website. Gary gladly accepted the offer. Gary has extensive files of information to be added to the website. As that information is approved by the board for addition to the website, Gary will send that information to Renee. The Board agreed: To appoint Renee Marino to be the key contact with Gretchen for additions and edits of the information to be listed on the Karth Lake website; to empower Renee to make corrections in material on the K. L. website as needed for accuracy. 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. Gary made some additions and changes. The Board unanimously approved the following letter: _________________ Karth Lake Neighbors, This April, there will be an election of members of the Karth Lake Improvement District Board (KLIDB) whose terms are expiring. The KLIDB 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 David Swearingen at DSwearingen@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 KLIDB 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 KLIDB 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 the homes of neighbors nearby who volunteered to help. 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: David said Jeff Frid would investigate the sprinkler system in the spring and modify it as needed to water the plantings. 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. Q: On the figure below, do all the yellow lines indicate pipes? Please explain what each node and line represent. A: David: Yes, all the yellow lines are pipes or another water conduit such as a culvert. 2. Q: Show where BMP #1 starts and ends on this photo. A: David: The BMP #1 remediation is not on this map. See schematic below. 3. Q: Are the 2 nodes east of the northmost building a low spot where filtration takes place? A: David: Yes. 4. Q: Please explain the elements of the schematic of the Grading and Utility Plan. Q: David explained it. 5. Q: Does the remediation include any mechanism to catch solids -- like a grit chamber — so they do not get in the lake? A: David: The plan as drawn does not have a grit chamber, but a grit chamber will be included. Action: David will send us an updated schematic with the grit chamber shown. [That schematic was received after the meeting and is attached at the end of these minutes.] 6. Q: 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? A: David: No filtration is provided. This remediation step only captures grit and moves the water down the hill without causing more erosion. Action: David plans to apply for another grant in the future that will divert the water into a holding pond so it is filtered before it empties into the lake. 7. Q: Board members expressed concern about the likelihood that future construction in Shoreview that is within and near the Karth Lake watershed could add more runoff and nutrients. This could increase the water level and pollution of Karth Lake. Board Members thought the lake levels have varied higher since the townhouses were built east of Lexington Ave. Board Members have observed significant water flow into Karth Lake from the holding pond east of Lexington and Karth Lake. Action: We agreed to ask Kyle Axtell to tell us what controls are in place to prevent an increase in Karth Lake water level and nutrient load caused by new construction in Shoreview. 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? This item was tabled until a future meeting. 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. Todd Blomstrom and Board. Action: David will work towards identifying storm drains that empty into Karth Lake but do not have a grit chamber. 5.3.4. Lake Level Gauge Questions for David 1. Does the gauge measure actual depth or is it just a reference point? 2. How is it anchored? Action: David will research the above. 3. Renee suggested it would be helpful to measure the lake levels in conjunction with biweekly CAMP samplings. The board agreed. 6. Next Meeting: Tuesday, April 13, 2021 7. Adjourn Respectfully submitted, Gary Gerding Secretary