DRAFT MINUTES OF THE
CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE
FOR THE MINNEHAHA CREEK WATERSHED DISTRICT
Thursday, October, 28, 2010
6:30 pm – 8:38 pm
Members Present: Mark Washa, Gerald Ciardelli, Neil Weber, John Iacono, Duncan Steinman, Tony
Goldstein, Tom Aasen, Bill Bushnell, Bob Eastman, Chris Dovolis, Marc Rosenberg
MCWD Board of Managers members present: Bill Olsen
MCWD Staff present: Renae Clark, Adam Petersen (minutes)
1.
CALL TO ORDER:
Goldenstein called the meeting to order at approximately 6:30 PM
2.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Moved and second. Unanimous approval.
3.
OLD BUSINESS
None.
4.
NEW BUSINESS
Overview of Project Management and Operations and Maintenance Department
Renae Clark presented an overview of MCWD projects throughout the watershed. The following
projects were highlighted:
A) City of Mound Public/Private partnership project
a. Several projects were highlighted including the Wolner Field Pervious Concrete (a
porous concrete parking lot), Grays Bay Dam (a project that involved building a deck
over the dam), and the Big Island Conservation Easement and Restoration Project ( a
56 acre conservation easement that included restoration and shoreline
stabilization).
b. Questions arose about the design of pervious concrete and how the Grays Bay dam
is operated throughout the seasons. Renae addressed the questions describing that
the pervious concrete is a drier mix with less fine material that has the benefit of
rate control. She discussed how the Gray’s Bay weir can be adjusted in the summer
to obtain the desired discharge and how stop logs are used in the winter to prevent
discharge and flooding. She also noted that if CAC members were interested in a
presentation on History of Gray’s Bay Dam that they could contact her.
B) Long Lake Subwatershed
a. Deer Hill Pond & CR 6 Ponds, which have similar designs were highlighted
C) Gleason Lake Subwatershed
a. Gleason Lake ponds and expansion was highlighted. The project included the
routing of the existing pond through 2 additional ponds (2005). Lakeside Pond,
Glenbrook, Mooney Lake outlet were also discussed.
D) Painter’s Creek Subwatershed
a. Painter Marsh & CR 26 Wetland Restoration was highlighted. The project involved a
creek re-meandered through the wetland. The surrounding land conservation
projects were mentioned along with the recent land conservation property that was
acquired in the area.
b. Questions arose about the pushback from government agencies for taking land out
of their tax base and what the general approach is for purchasing land for
conservation. Renae acknowledged that it is a sensitive issue to acquire land for the
conservation program and that communication and coordination with the
communities is essential. She also informed the committee that the Land
Conservation Program focuses on priority areas that are based on establishing larger
natural corridors and the proximity to water resources.
E) Minnehaha Creek Subwatershed
a. Several projects were highlighted including the Reach 8 project (a streambank
bioengineering project), the Chain of Lakes/Nokomis/Calhoun ( the Nokomis weir
and a series of ponds built to improve water quality as a result of clean water
partnership between City and MCWD), and the Minnehaha Falls restoration project
(an ongoing, partnership between State, MCWD, USACOE, Minneapolis Parks & Rec
with the goals of stormwater management, natural resource restoration, historical
preservation).
b. Questions arose about how projects are rated and who performs the design work.
Renae pointed out that the designs are performed by engineering consultants and
that Capital Improvement Projects are updated every 10 years. Projects are chosen
based on specific studies and goals, load reductions, improvement of water quality,
and participation by the CAC. The cost share program was also developed to take
advantage of opportunities that arise to work in cooperation.
F) Six Mile Creek Subwatershed
a. Turbid and Lunsten Lake projects were highlighted. The 2 phase project involves
putting a buffer around lakes and use weirs to retain water. Steiger Lake wetland
creation to create additional storage capacity was also mentioned.
Discussion:
Questions arose about current opportunities and how applications for proposed projects are ranked.
Renae addressed the questions identifying possible re-meander projects and the SW Minneapolis study
being conducted to identify priority areas that are suitable for infiltration similar to the Diamond Lake
GO BLUE approach. She also noted that proposed projects are evaluated on the combination of
educational value and natural resources conservation value they provide.
Compliments were given to MCWD on the subwatershed projects, its conservation approaches, and the
cooperative effort made between the District and other partners to implement conservation projects.
Management practices for golf courses, specifically meadowbrook were discussed. It was noted that
they are permitted and urged to implement buffer along water resources. Generally, golf courses
chemical and fertilizer application and management has improved.
Marc Rosen provided a handout about the remarkable comeback of the Otter populations in the UK due
to the banning of organochlorine pesticides.
5.
ACTION ITEMS
CAC members were reminded to read the packet provided by MCWD at the 10/28/10 meeting. The next
meeting will involve a new methodology to ranking MCWD projects.
6.
NEXT MEETING
The next CAC meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 17th due to Thanksgiving.
7.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Tony Goldstein announced that by January 1, 2011 he will be moving and possibly stepping away from
the committee for an unknown time.
8.
ADJOURN
Goldstein moved to adjourn meeting, second and unanimous approval followed. The meeting
adjourned at approximately 8:20 pm.