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REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION DATE: 2/22/99 ITEM O.: D-2 Ilepartrnent Approval: Manager Reviewed: Agenda Section: \;4 -d- Consent Item Des iption+ Acceptance of Metropolitan Council water Quality Grant--Villa Park Wetland Environmental Study Background: In the mid-I980s,with assistance from a Clean Water Partnership Grant from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the City of Roseville constructed a series of wetland basins within Villa Dark.This wetland system,located at the northwest corner of Lake Mc arrons,provides storm water treatment to the majority of runoff which enters the Lake. Since its construction, numerous water quality studies have been conducted by the Metropolitan council to assess the wetland system's ability to remove pollutants from urban storm water. Immediately after construction, the system exceeded expectations with regard to phosphorous removal. However,recent studies indicate that the removal efficiency of the wetland system has decreased significantly. Many of those who have been studying this issue suspect that the decrease In efficiency is related to the wetlands ability to absorb pollutants. It has been suggested that the efficiency of this system could be increased if the system were operated differently. Changes in operation could include an aggressive harvesting of wetland vegetation,scarification of wetland soils or physical modifications to the wetland cells. To study this issue further,the Metropolitan council has proposed a study to review the etland soils and the feasibility of harvesting wetland vegetation.The Metropolitan Council is asking that the city contract with Barr Engineering,an environmental engineering firm currently in the city's consulting pool, to complete the study.The cost of the study would be reimbursed to the city through a Twin cities water Quality Initiative Special Project Grant offered by the Metropolitan Council. Financial implications:The total cost of the proposed study is$35,000. Initial funding would be through the city's storm water utility fund with reimbursement from the Metropolitan Council grant Metropolitan Council staff has agreed to administer the engineering contract with Barr Engineering and to complete the reporting requirements for the grant As such, Roseville staff involvement should be limited. Staff recommendation:Attached is a copy of the proposed Grant Agreement between the Metropolitan Council and the city of Roseville. Staff is recommending that the Council accept the grant and approve the proposed agreement to complete an environmental study of the Villa Park wetland Treatment System.