2002-08-26 EC Agenda PktAGENDA
GOLDEN VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
Regular Meeting
Golden Valley City Hall, 7800 Golden Valley Road
Council Conference Room
Monday, August 26, 2002
7:00 P.M.
Call to Order
Approval of Minutes — July 22, 2002
III. New Fertilizer Brochure
IV. Other Business
V. Adjourn
GAEnvironmental Commission\Agendas\082602.doc
GOLDEN VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
Regular Meeting
Minutes
July 22, 2002
Present: Richard Baker, Alicia Brown, Sue Hess, Dawn Hill, Alan Kuentz
City Staff: Al Lundstrom, Environmental Coordinator; Jeff Oliver, City Engineer;
Tracy Pharr, Administrative Assistant
Absent: Jessica Roe
I. Call to Order
Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m.
II. Approval of Minutes — June 24, 2002
No changes.
MOTION: Moved by Hill, seconded by Kuentz, approve the minutes of the
June 24, 2002 meeting as submitted.
III. Follow -UD to June 24th Parks Tour
Commission Members provided feedback on the June 24th City Parks Tour taken jointly
with the Open Space & Recreation Commission. Hill stated she enjoyed seeing the
Schaper Skimmer. All agreed the tour was worthwhile.
IV. Progress Report Meeting for Natural Resources Inventory (Presented by
SEH with Planning and Open Space & Recreation Commissions)
SEH presented a progress report on the City's Natural Resources Inventory.
Commission Members from the Environmental, Planning and Open Space & Recreation
Commissions were in attendance.
V. Other Business
Items of Other Business:
• Oliver stated that Open Houses had been held for the proposed 2003 Pavement
Management Project in July, and information had been sent to residents unable
to attend these meetings. Kuentz asked how the Commission could be involved
in this. Oliver responded that project environmental impacts would be brought
to the Commission for discussion.
No additional business was addressed.
GAEnvironmental Commission\Minutes\ECMinutes072202.doc
VII. Adjourn
The next scheduled meeting will be on August 26, 2002 at 7:00 p.m.
The meeting adjourned to the Council Chambers at 7:45 p.m. for a Progress Report
Meeting for the Natural Resources Inventory presented by SEH.
Respectfully submitted,
Tracy Pharr u -
Administrative Assistant
Department of Public Works
G:\Environmental Commission\Minutes\ECMinutes072202.doc
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April 16, 2002
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Sincerely,
7800 Golden Valley Road
John O'Toole -
Golden.vallcy,-MN 554274588
Chairman, Basset Creek
763 -593-8000
181 Peninsula Rd
763-03-8109- (Ex)
Minneapolis MN 55401-1453
7.63-593-3968 (TDD)
City Manage
Mayor and council
Subject: Second Generation Plan Proposed Capital
M.3 -s93'8006
mprovement Program
Manager
Dear Mr. O' Toole *:':*%*
763-593-8002
'3ublic SafiEyj.
Thank you fort eop portunity to review the proposed Capital Improvement
'onci: 763-593-8079
Program currently under consid eration by the Basset Creek Water
;re;-763-593-8055
76.3-593-8055
63- --'-8098 (f2X)
Management commission. Funderstand that the Commission has
requested a review and 'Submission of comments by each member City by
lablic Works
April 18, 2002.
63-M4030,
6�-593-3988 (fax)
t. : - .t. . .
-4
Please be advised that the City of Golden Valley respectfully requests
q ess an
�Spections—
extension until May 30, 2002. As you are aware, the programs impacts'
y
53-593-8090..-
and the associated costs are considerable to Golden Valley, and it is
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imperative that these issues be reviewed with the Golden Valley City
Council prior to submitting our comments.
f6Eor Vehicle Licensing
6493-8101-'.
If you have questions please call Jeannine Clancy, Director of Public
ahriing and, Zoning
Works at 763.593.8035.
,3-593-8095
:v, Director of Public Works
GABasseff CreekkCorrespondenceUReqExtension2ndGenCIPPlan.doc
Sincerely,
fiance:,
3-593-8013.
sensing
3-593-8020
William S. A
rk and Re . creation
City Manage
) Brookview Parkway
Ideii.Valley, MN 55426-1364
Jeann
i-512-2345
�-512-2144 (fax)
.-5' 8 (TDD)
:v, Director of Public Works
GABasseff CreekkCorrespondenceUReqExtension2ndGenCIPPlan.doc
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wuw.cigolzien-valley.mn.us
June 11, 2002
John O'Toole
55427-4588
Chairman of BCWMC
181 Peninsula Rd
Minneapolis MN 55401-1453
improvement program (CIP) and the policy statements; and attending the
Subject: Second Generation Plan and Proposed Capital
Improvement Program
Dear Mr. O'Toole:
k7v-14K--55426-1364
I am writing to respond to the Bassett Creek Water Management
79
Commission's (BCWMC) request for comments on the proposed Second
soy
Generation Plan policy statements and proposed capital improvement
program. Golden Valley recognizes that a great deal of effort has; been
_-
committed to development of the plan. On behalf of the Golden Valley
City Council and staff, we would like to express our appreciation for the
opportunity to comment and ask questions about - this very important
document
Kr .4:1
I It seems as though in recent years extensive effort has been
After meeting with city staff, the Commission's engineer, and the Cftys
representative to the BCWMC; carefully studying the proposed capital
improvement program (CIP) and the policy statements; and attending the
Commission's workshop held last week, the City of Golden Valley, offers
the following comments and questions:
the capital improvement program was developed?
G ASMett CreekZorrespc)ndenoeXSecondGenCcxnrrients.doc
Golden Valley.M2X
I It seems as though in recent years extensive effort has been
committed to improving and protecting water quality throughout the
watershed. Golden Valley, for example, has implemented
ordinances limiting the use of fertilizers containing phosphorous,
protecting water resources through best management practices in
the area of erosion control, requiring water quality ponds in
redevelopment areas, and other best management practices. The
k7v-14K--55426-1364
City has also undertaker-ra -capital improvement program that
4 Q'
includes development of water quality ponds, retrofitting existing
soy
ponds with buffer strips and stream bank stabilization. Were these
activities and their impact on water quality taken into account when
the capital improvement program was developed?
G ASMett CreekZorrespc)ndenoeXSecondGenCcxnrrients.doc
Golden Valley.M2X
John O'Toole
June 11, 2002
Page 2
2. The City Council understands that, through a public participation process, a
decision was made to place the water quality goal at Level I for all water bodies
within the Commission's jurisdiction. How does the Level I goal compare to what
is required by existing or proposed State or Federal mandated treatment
requirements? How does the Level I goal compare to the historical water quality
levels of the water bodies within the Commission's jurisdiction.
3. As a City Council, we are concerned about the large financial commitment.that is
required -to-Implement the Commission's .CIP: It should be noted that the budget
being considered by the Commission would cause an increase in the City's storm
water utility fee by approximately 57 percent. While we support the
Commission's efforts to improve and protect water quality, we have many other
needs in our community that also need attention.
4. The City is concerned about the equity of the assessment formula for water
quality improvements with relationship to the amount of representation that the
City has on the Commission. Golden Valley pays about 25 percent of the
budget, Combined with Plymouth, we will be assessed for over 72 percent of the
Commission's projects. While these two communities will pay for the majority of
the assessments for the projects, the Commission could go forward with a project
if both Golden Valley and Plymouth voted against the project. The Commission's
bylaws allow for the authorization of projects by member Cities who are not
affected significantly by the cost of the project
5. The cumulative total of Golden Valley's assessments is more than the amount of
money scheduled to actually be spent on water quality improvements in Golden
Valley. Golden Valley realizes that the assessment formula currently in effect
was developed when the flood con"I project was completed. but also
recognize s,that much of the flood cohtrol project -was paid forby Federal and
State grants. It is not clear that the water quality projects identified by the
Commission will enjoy the same level of Federal and State funding. What would
the assessments be if each City were responsible for undertaking the cost of the
project that resides within its own jurisdiction?
6. It is our understanding that, evenmith the extensive CO$t:'.of some of the projects,-
the
rojects,the water quality goals originally established by the Commission will not be met
on some water bodies. Has a cost to benefit analysis, including the attainability
of water quality goals, been done for each and every project to determine
whether or not it should be included in the Plan?
G:Massett CreeklCwespondenceZecondGenComments.doc
Golden Valley.max
John O'Toole
June 11, 2002
Page 3
7. While the Council is not prepared to comment on individual projects, we did
notice that the use of alum is a significant part of the CIP. Have any tests been
done, or long-term projections been made, about the effectiveness of alum and
whether or not there are any adverse environmental or human impacts
associated with its use?
8. Given the concerns noted above, the City Council requests that any proposed
increases in.the Commission's operating budget associated with the water quality.
projects listed in the. CIP be delayed until our concerns can be further discussed.
We look forward to continued discussion regarding this very important issue. If you
have questions, please contact me at 763.593.3990.
S incerely,
C* 'e-
Linda R. Loomis
Mayor
C: City Council
William S. Joynes, City Manager
Jeannine Clancy, Director of Public Works
David Hanson, Commissioner, BCWMC
Len Kremer, Commission Engineer
G:Sassett CreeklConvVorjckmoeZecondGenComments.doe
Golden Valley.max
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Bassett Creek Water Management Commission
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www.bassettcreekwmo.org
• Crystal • Golden Valley • Medicine Lake • Minneapolis • Minnetonka • New Hope • Plymouth • Robbinsdale • St. Louis Park
July 31, 2002
Mayor Linda Loomis
City of Golden Valley
7800 Golden Valley Road
Golden Valley, MN 55427
Re: Bassett Creek Water Management Commission
Second Generation Plan Draft Capital Improvements Program
Response to City of Golden Valley Comments
Dear Mayor Loomis:
On behalf of the BCWMC, thank you for your review and comments concerning the Commission's draft
Second Generation Water Management Plan's Capital Improvements Program. The Commission submits the
following responses to address comments raised in your letter dated June 11, 2002 to the Commission. A
copy of the letter is attached for your reference. The paragraph numbers correspond to the numbers used in
your June 11, 2002 letter.
The Commission's draft 30 -year CIP includes all improvements recommended in the 18 lake and
watershed management plans prepared for the major water bodies within the Bassett Creek
watershed. The lake and watershed plans considered the effect of all of the best management
practices (BMPs) in place at that time. The Commission understands that some best management
practices (BMPs) have been implemented since completion of the lake and watershed management
plans. It is premature to determine what benefit some of those BMPs (e.g., use of phosphorus free
fertilizers) will have on the water bodies. These completed BMPs will be taken into consideration
when feasibility studies are prepared for the proposed improvement projects. At that time, the
Commission will determine the impact of the completed BMPs on meeting the Commission's water
quality goals. The completed BMPs will be shown on the Commission's CIP table. The initial CIP
was a starting point for the Commission to receive input from the member cities and it continues to
be a "work -in -progress."
2. During the public participation segment of the Second Generation Plan process, advisory groups
made recommendations to the Commission. It was the recommendation of the Technical Advisory
Committee that all regulated stormwater should be treated to Level I standards watershed -wide. If
formally adopted, the Commission would not set Level I water quality goals for all water bodies, but
instead Level I standards of stormwater treatment would apply to new development in the watershed.
This recommendation will remain under consideration by the Commission until completion of the
draft Second Generation Water Management Plan.
Fohn O'Toole, BCWMC Chairman
Charlie LeFevere, Attorney
Leonard Kremer, Engineer
do Barr Engineering Company
Kennedy & Graven
Barr Engineering Company
4700 West 77`h Street
470 Pillsbury Center
4700 West 77`h Street
Minneapolis, MN 55435
Minneapolis, MN 55402
Minneapolis, MN 55435
763-764-2422
612-337-9215
952-832-2600
612-337-9310 (%4x)
952-832-2601 (fax)
Mayor Linda Loomis
July 19, 2002
Page 2
3. The Commission appreciates Golden Valley's concern about the large financial commitment that is
required to implement a CIP and balancing those commitments within your community. Projects
listed in the Commission's draft CIP will be reviewed individually and the funding options will also
be evaluated.
4. Other member cities have raised similar funding equity issues. The funding proposed in the draft
CEP is an 80/20 cost split, with 80% paid by the Commission and 20% paid by the member cities, in
accordance with the BCWMC Joint Powers Agreement. The Joint Powers Agreement allows other
funding options to be considered on a project -by -project basis and it requires public hearings to be
held on capital projects. These stipulations provide for the member cities to continue to be involved
in the process. The Commission will work with the member cities to review each project to
determine the project's relevance, the funding options, and the cost split suitable for the project (i.e.,
80/20, 50/50, etc.).
As a member of the Bassett Creek Water Management Commission, the City of Golden Valley
provides important input and is actively involved in the operation of the Commission. If a watershed
district or some other form of watershed governing body replaced the Commission, the member
cities' active involvement in the management of the Bassett Creek watershed would likely be
diminished. The Joint Powers Agreement sets forth the powers and duties of the Commission and the
representation and voting of the nine member cities.
5. The Commission will consider the effect on the CIP if a member city undertakes the projects located
within its jurisdiction. This is an important viewpoint that is shared by other cities. We invite you to
stay engaged as the Conunission continues with the Second Generation Plan process.
6. Before any of the improvements in the draft CIP can be constructed, the Commission must complete
a feasibility study for the project. The feasibility study will include a cost estimate for the project and
the proposed allocation of costs between the member cities.
7. Studies have been completed regarding the effectiveness and adverse impacts of alum treatment.
Please see the attached memorandum from the Commission's engineer (and the attached article from
a technical journal), which discusses this topic. Since the Joint Powers Agreement requires public
hearings to be held on capital projects, the Commission will hold a public hearing before an alum
treatment project will be implemented.
The Commission is not yet committing to a level of funding associated with the water quality
projects listed in the CIP. As stated earlier, public hearings will be conducted for each project. Other
cities have risen like concerns and the Commission is seriously taking into consideration those
legitimate concerns as it continues to develop future budgets. The Commission discussed the 2003
proposed budget at great length at its July 18, 2002 meeting. The City of Golden Valley's Mayor
Linda Loomis, the City of Plymouth's Mayor Joy Tierney, various city staff, and visitors attended
the meeting along with the commissioners, alternates and members of the BCWMC Technical
Advisory Committee. In response to concerns expressed by the attending member cities, the
Commission decided that a public hearing was in order and will be held on Thursday, August 15,
2002, at 12:00 Noon, at the City of Golden Valley, to consider amendments to the proposed 2003
budget.
Please see the attached memo from the Commission's legal advisor, which outlines the
Commission's considerations for developing its general budget and capital project cost allocations.
Mayor Linda Loomis
July 19, 2002
Page 3
In conclusion, the Commission appreciates the City of Golden Valley's input concerning the proposed 2003
budget and preliminary draft Capital Improvements Program. The draft CIP continues to be a "work -in -
progress." In view of your comments relating to the CIP, we have requested our engineer to meet with the
member cities to discuss the water quality improvement projects specific to each city, and coordinate projects
that makes sense for the Commission to include in its CIP or to remove those projects that the cities have
implemented or are planning to implement. It is our intent that these meetings take place prior to the August
15`' Public Hearing.
The Commission applauds the City of Golden Valley's leadership exhibited on water quality issues and looks
forward to future communications and working with the city to implement the Commission's future Second
Generation Water Management Plan.
Sincerely,
John O'Toole
Chairman, Bassett Creek Water Management Commission
Enclosures
c: William S. Joynes
Jeannine Clancy
David Hanson
235262
David W. Hanson
1030 Angelo Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55422 4706
Home Phone: 763 588 1478 Fax: Same
Email: davidwhans@aol.com
May 28, 2002
Mr. Len Kremer
Barr Engineering Company
4700 West 77 h Street
Minneapolis, MN 55435-4803
Re: Second Generation Planning - Capital Improvement Program (CIP)
Dear Len:
At the May, BCWMC meeting you said you had received very few comments about the CIP
Budget. I would like to offer some personal observations from watching the development of this
Second Generation Plan. The total listing of projects is so massive that few of us are able to
evaluate each project or understand the background of the projects from the large spreadsheet,
Exhibit 1. As I am familiar with Sweeney Lake, I now have looked at it carefully.
You and I were at the meeting last week with the Golden Valley City Council. They are not happy
with the proposed assessment increases and obviously look at the costs associated with the lake
projects in their area. I find myself in an awkward position of trying to defend the Plan. I too have
many questions with the final spreadsheet
You know of my concerns about the use of Alum treatment systems one of the major solutions.
have reviewed the drafts of the budget leading up to the final Plan. In your 1994 plan for Sweeney
Lake, you included dredging Duck etc. ponds ($353,000), diverting Spring Pond ($74,000), Alum
treatment plant ($620,000), and a wet pond by the Railroad track in Schaper Woods ($204,000).
Your representative presented this to the Sweeney Lake group in 1994 and received much
negative -feedback, verbal and written. The exact same descriptions and numbers were included in
the draft Second Generation Plan of October 1999, for a total of $1,251,000.
The descriptions of the Sweeney Lake projects in the draft booklet just given to the G V Council
were the same, but the costs had increased to $2,363,100. Now in the final fold out spreadsheet,
Exhibit 1 all mention of dredging Duck and adjacent ponds and diverting the stream through Spring
pond suddenly was removed. Golden Valley has built the large pond by the Railroad Tracks, as a
part of Schaper Park. These missing projects seemed to be good ideas. All that is left is Alum
Treatments and not until 2022. The cost of the Alum plant is listed as $861,200, with an annual
cost of operation of $92,000. 1 watched the G V Council members look at the lake list including
Sweeney and Wirth and could see their concern for these costs.
Last fall I wrote to you about my interest in Aeration, and included a report with a cover letter, dated
September 19, 22001, to the BCWMC from Mary Anderson, the then mayor of Golden Valley. The
Sweeney Lake Association has operated such a system with 14 diffusers in the lake since 1973. 1
had expected some response and discussion from your firm. I know of your preference for Alum
treatment. Trying to better understand your opinions, a few years ago I visited your treatment
facility on Tanners Lake in St. Paul to see a continuous alum plant in operation. Has a study been
completed on Tanners Lake? I would like to see it and be particularly interested in fish reproduction
and fishing results, as well as water quality and clarity.
Last week I had breakfast with Jeff Lee, the Manager of Environmental Operations for the
Minneapolis Park Board. I had missed his February talk at the BCWMC. He has used both one
time broadcast Alum and Aeration. He expressed reservations about continuous Alum injection in
lakes, and confirmed my belief that if we can keep the lake water nearly saturated with oxygen we
should be able to control the weeds and grow large fish. Our original intention in 1973 was to
control and remove all of the Blue Green Algae, with Aeration. This was successful. We found we
had a made a fish farm of the lake with good results The healthy fish were distributed from top to
bottom of the water column rather than in the top 6 feet. The best fishing always seems to be by
the Aerators, influenced by the presence of more oxygen. This method of introducing oxygen into
the water is similar to operation of sewage treatment plants, such as activated sludge or trickling
filter systems. The whole intention is to keep oxygen present so the small critters can eat and
digest the waste in the sewage or the lake.
This year I have started up all of the Sweeney Lake Association Aerators earlier to help keep the
oxygen levels high. For testing I have purchased a VSI 550 dissolved oxygen meter. I can take
readings every two weeks at the same time I am sampling the lake water for the Metropolitan
Council "Camp" program. It is possible that we may need even more Aerators. Our Aeration
equipment supplier is Bob Laing of Clean -Flo Laboratories, (www.Clean-Flo.com). I will be able to
check for oxygen with my oxygen tester. Should we need to increase the 14 diffusers now in the
lake we could likely do it for a nominal sum that The Sweeney Lake Association could afford.
The Second Generation Plan CIP includes costs for approximately 5 Alum insertion plants and for
broadcasting on Alum on 5 other bodies of water. This will run into millions of dollars and high
concentrations of Aluminum products in our lakes. The effectiveness of this method has not been
shown to me with test results and example projects, but simply recommended as an accomplished
fact at a very high cost. For contrast I suggest you look on the Internet. Sign on to
(www.google.com) and look for Lake Aeration. You will see perhaps 100 articles from allover the
world. There may still be a place for very limited use of Alum.
This letter covers a number of my concerns about the very high costs planned for these cities in the
BCWMC. There is some time before there will be enough funds available for the major work
involved in cleaning up the water bodies. The final decisions for the improvement of the water
quality can be delayed. We need to become more knowledgeable about the various systems, and
have some solid discussions.
Certainly the Cities will have to make some more money forthcoming for this environmental need
particularly for additional holding and settling ponds. The many private holding ponds now required
by the BCWMC for renovation or new construction projects have already had an important effect
on our streams and lakes, and we want to continue that improvement. My concern has to do with
those major expenditures for a lake treatment that I believe is not in the public interest.
Sincerely yours,
David W. Hanson
June 20, 2002
Barr Engineering Company
4700 West 77th Street • Minneapolis, MN 55435-4803
Phone: 952-832-2600 • Fax: 952-832-2601
Minneapolis, MN • Hibbing, MN • Duluth, MN • Ann Arbor, MI • Jefferson City, MO
David W. Hanson
1030 Angelo Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55422 4706
Re: Second Generation Planning - CIP; Sweeney Lake
Dear Mr. Hanson:
Len asked me to respond to the issues you raised in your May 28, 2002 letter about the proposed
alum treatment systems in the Capital Improvement Program (CIP), as well as specific issues
regarding Sweeney Lake. You raised the following issues:
1. Proposed BMPs for Sweeney Lake and their associated costs
2. Aeration as a solution for lake management
3. Alum treatment systems as a solution for nutrient reduction
I have organized my discussion below into those three categories.
BMPs for Sweeney Lake
Sweeney Lake is not meeting the water quality goals established for it in the Bassett Creek Water
Quality Management Plan. Those goals are a total phosphorus concentration of 30 gg/L, a -
chlorophyll a concentration of 10 µg/L, and a Secchi disc transparency of 2.2 meters. In 2000 and
2001, the summer averages were 33-52 µg/L TP, 20-30 gg/L chlorophyll a, and 0.9-1.5 m Secchi
depth. Therefore, there remains a need for BMPs to reduce nutrients entering Sweeney Lake.
The Sweeney Lake Watershed and Lake Management Plan ("1994 plan") had the following
recommendations:
Phase I
• Shutdown of the aeration system and monitor the water quality in the lake to determine if the
aeration is causing phosphorus release from the sediments and causing algae to be light -
limited.
• Require wet detention ponds for all new or redeveloped properties.
• Adopt ban on phosphorus fertilizers.
• Educate residents and lake users on ways to reduce pollutants entering the lake.
• Enforce existing ordinances regarding litter and animal waste.
• Dredge Duck, Glenl, Glen2, and Breck ponds to increase permanent pool volume
• Construct wet detention pond.
David W. Hanson
June 20, 2002
Pace 2
Phase II
Follow-up on monitoring results after aeration shut down: possible options are to leave the
aeration system off if results show it contributes to nutrient load in the lake or properly size
the aeration system if results indicate the aeration is beneficial to the lake.
Based on monitoring results, reevaluate benefits of alum treatment facility and diversion of
outflow from Breck Pond to Spring Pond.
Water quality improvement projects identified in the watershed and lake management plan, as well as
those included in the CIP, are recommendations of potential projects that would improve water
quality in the lake(s). They are not necessarily projects that are committed for completion. The
commitment must come from the municipalities to proceed with the proposed projects before they
will be implemented. Once the city makes the commitment to support a project, a feasibility study
will be completed, a public hearing will be held, and the BCWMC must approve the project in order
to proceed.
As you pointed out in the letter, there were a number of proposed BMP projects in the 1994 plan for
Sweeney Lake and many of those were not included in the most recent CIP list of projects. The
Commission wanted all of the BMPs that were identified in the plans included in the list, not just the
recommended BMPs. In general, projects were dropped from the list because either the projects have
already been completed (such as the ponds built by Golden Valley and MnDOT) or the they were not
as cost-effective as other listed BMPs. There remains a need for additional ponding in the Sweeney
Lake watershed, but the specific locations should be reevaluated given the changes that have
occurred in the last eight years since the Sweeney Lake plan was completed.
Since watershed plans for the various water bodies were prepared between 1994 and 2000, the costs
in the CIP table were updated using ENR cost data to reflect 2001 prices.
Aeration in Sweeney Lake
As you discussed in your letter, aeration improves fish habitat and increases chemical oxidation.
Until about the late 1980s, lake managers also believed aeration reduced internal loading of
phosphorus, but studies of artificial circulation and hypolimnetic aeration in Minnesota lakes' and a
summary of 20 lakes receiving artificial circulation2 have found that in most cases phosphorus
concentration increased or did not change with aeration. Cooke et al. (1993) reported that 6 of the
20 artificially circulated lakes (30%) had a decrease in total phosphorus. They also reported that
only 4 out of 19 lakes (21%) had an increase in Secchi disc transparency. A ten-year study of
aeration in two Swiss lakes concluded that artificial mixing (aeration) and hypolimnetic oxygenation
did not reduce internal phosphorus cycling.3 Therefore, the evidence indicates that aeration can be
good for increasing dissolved oxygen (Cooke et al. reported 33 out of 41 lakes had improved DO),
but aeration is not likely to improve water quality, as measured by total phosphorus concentration
and Secchi disc transparency.
' Beduhn, R.J. 1994. The Effects of Destratification Aeration on Five Minnesota Lakes. Lake & Reservoir
Management 9(1): 105-110.
Tomasek, M. 1993. An Overview of Hypolimnetic Aeration in Minnesota. M.S. Thesis. University of
Washington.
2 Cooke, D.G., E.B. Welch, S.A. Peterson, and P.R. Newroth. 1993. Restoration and Management of lakes
and Reservoirs, Second Edition. Lewis Publishers. p 435.
3 Gachter, R. and B. Wehrli. 1998. Ten years of artificial mixing and oxygenation: no effect on the internal
phosphorus loading in two eutrophic lakes. Environ. Sci. Technol. 32: 3659-3665
David W. Hanson
June 20, 2002
Pace 3
One possible reason for the lack of improvement in water quality is the difficulty in maintaining
well -mixed and well -oxygenated conditions in a lake. A small difference in water temperature
(e.g., 0.5°C) can mean a large difference in water density, which restricts water movement and
diffusion, leading to anaerobic conditions and phosphorus release. If aeration is insufficient to
completely oxygenate the lake throughout the growing season, anaerobic conditions can occur in
parts of the lake that lead to release of phosphorus from the sediments, and aeration diffusers can act
as nutrient pumps—transporting the phosphorus -laden water from the lake bottom to the surface.
Consequently, an aeration system can benefit fish by providing regions of well -oxygenated water, but
can also exacerbate the eutrophication problem and prevent the lake from achieving water quality
goals.
The aeration system can prevent blue green algae from floating on the surface of the lake, where they
maximize their light exposure and shade other phytoplankton. During aeration, the blue green algae
concentration may be reduced because of light limitation or the mixing may simply dilute blue green
algae in the lake. Phytoplankton samples collected from the upper two meters of Sweeney Lake in
1982, 1996 and 2000 show the same blue green algae species are present, although the biomass from
the 1996 and 2000 samples was less than the biomass the August 1982 sample. Therefore, this
supports an argument that aeration has reduced blue green algae biomass in Sweeney Lake.
I believe turning off the aeration system for one year is a sound recommendation to better understand
the effect of the aeration on the water quality in the lake. Prior to turning off the aeration system it
would be interesting to see if the lake is well mixed throughout or if there are regions of high DO and
regions of low DO in the hypolimnion. You mentioned that you would be collecting dissolved
oxygen measurements with a new DO meter that you have purchased. I would like to suggest I join
you in your study of the horizontal and vertical distribution of DO in Sweeney Lake to get a better
idea of the affect of the diffusers on oxygen concentration in the lake. We could measure DO and
temperature depth profiles at a dozen locations on the lake. I could provide a GPS unit to identify
exactly where the diffusers are located and where we collect DO profiles in the lake.
Alum Treatment
You had expressed concern in your letter about the cost and effectiveness of alum treatment
facilities, and you specifically asked about information on the Tanners Lake alum treatment facility.
The Ramsey Washington Metro Watershed District is intensively monitoring Tanner's Lake in 2002
and will prepare a report on the effectiveness of the alum treatment operation following the data
collection this year. At this point, we do know that the alum treatment plant removes approximately
80% of the phosphorus from the inlet to Tanners Lake for inlet flows up to 5 cubic feet per second
(5 cfs), which is about 90% of the flows. The Tanners Lake system, as well as the alum treatment
system on Fish Lake in Eagan, does not treat high flows.
I have attached an overview of alum treatment that was written by Keith Pilgrim from Barr
Engineering. Keith's Ph.D. dissertation was on alum treatment. He studied the chemical processes,
application procedures, water quality benefits, and environmental damages associated with alum
treatment. Based on his study of alum treatment, he developed a process for designing alum
treatment systems to achieve the desired in -lake phosphorus concentrations. If you are interested in
reading more about alum treatment, the Cooke et al.(1993) book I referenced above has a chapter on
alum treatment ("Phosphorus Inactivation and Sediment Oxidation").
The costs for alum treatment facilities that have been listed in the CIP are conceptual and may indeed
be overestimating the actual cost to build these facilities. The feasibility studies should identify more
specifically what the costs will be for the particular sites.
David W. Hanson
June 20, 2002
Page 4
I hope I have adequately addressed the issues you raised in your letter. Please give me a call (952-
832-2682) if you would like to talk more about any of these issues or set up a time when we could
collect some data on the lake.
Sincerely,
Bruce Monson, Ph.D.
Limnologist
Enclosures
c: Mayor Linda Loomis
Bill Joynes
Jeannine Clancy
Bassett Creek Water Management Commission
Leonard Kremer
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a, , www. ci.golden-valley. mn. us
August 23, 2002
City Hall
7800 Golden Valley Road
Ms. Sara Peterson
Golden Valley, MN 55427-4588
5005 Hampton Road
763-593-8000
763-593-8109 (fax)
Golden Valley, Minnesota 55422
763-593-3968 (TDD)
Dear Sara:
Mayor and Council
763-593-8006
At its August 20, 2002 meeting, the Golden Valley City Council appointed
City Manager
you to one year term on the Environmental Commission. Your term begins
763-593-8002
immediately and expires on March 1, 2003.
Public Safety
Your ness willin to serve is appreciated, you are invited to come to our
g p prec, an
Police: 763-593-8079
Fire: 763-593-8055
City Council meeting on Tuesday, September 3, 2002 at 6:30 p.m. to
763-593-8098 (fax)
receive a certificate of appointment and to meet the Council Members.
Please let Judy Nally know if you will be able to come. Her number is 763-
I- Works593-3991.
Your certificate will be mailed if you are unable to attend.
763-593-80300
763-593-3988 (fax)
The Environmental Commission usually meets on the fourth Monday of the
Inspections
month in City Hall at 7:00 p.m. Rich Baker, Chair, of the Commission
763-593-8090
and/or Jeff Oliver, City Engineer; and Al Lundstrom, Environmental
763-593-3997 (Fax)
Coordinator; are the Commission Liaisons, and will be contacting you with
Motor Vehicle Licensing
information about the position, its responsibilities and upcoming meeting
763-593-8101
dates.
Planning and Zoning If you have any questions, or suggestions please feel free to contact me.
763-593-8095 My home phone is 763-545-4659 and my city office phone is 763 -593 -
Finance 3990.
763-593-8013
Assessing Sincerely,
763-593-8020 � %
/X"
Park and Recreation
200 Brookview Parkway Linda R. Loomis
Golden Valley, MN 55426-1364 Mayor
763-512-2345
763-512-2344 (fax)
763-593-3968 (TDD) cc: Rich Baker
Jeff Oliver
,,A1 Lundstrom
DORSEY & WHITNEY LLP
MINNEAPOLIS
SUITE 1500
COSTA MESA
NEW YORK
50 SOUTH SIXTH STREET
BILLINGS
SEATTLE
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA 55402-1498
FARGO
DENVER
TELEPHONE: (612) 340-2600
HONG KONG
WASHINGTON, D.C.
GREAT FALLS
FAX: (612) 340-2868
NORTHERN VIRGINIA
ROCHESTER
www.dorseylaw.com
DES MOINES
TOKYO
LONDON
SARA J. PETERSON
MISSOULA
ANCHORAGE
(612)752-7326
VANCOUVER
SALT LAKE CITY
FAX (612) 340-8800
TORONTO
BRUSSELS
peterson.sarard)dorseylaw.com
SHANGHAI
December 26, 2001
VIA FACSIMILE AND POSTAL SERVICE
Ms. Judy Nally
City of Golden Valley
7800 Golden Valley Road
Golden Valley, MN 55427
Phone: (763) 593-3991
Fax: (763) 593-8109
Dear Ms. Nally:
I have enclosed for your review and consideration my application for the City of Golden
Valley's Advisory Boards and Commissions. As set forth on my application, I would be
interested in participating in the City's Planning Commission, Environmental Commission, or
Open Space & Recreation Commission. I am currently in my second year as an attorney at
Dorsey & Whitney LLP, specializing in environmental and land use law. My practice consists of
both litigation and transactional work involving property contamination issues, environmental
regulatory compliance, and environmental issues in corporate mergers and in real estate
transactions. I am particularly interested in policy and planning concerns related to these issues.
As such, I would greatly enjoy the opportunity to utilize my training and skills as a
member of one of Golden Valley's environmental or land use -related commissions. Please
contact me with any questions or if you need any additional information. I would be happy to
arrange for an interview at your convenience. Thank you for your consideration.
Yours t ly,
ara J. eterson
Enclosures
Cite
of 7800 Golden Valley Road
Golden Valley, MN 55427
763-593-3991
O � 1n 1 763-593-8109(fax)
www.ci.golden-valley.mn.us
CityCouncil
Advisory Boards and Commissions
Application
Name Sara J. Peterson
Address _5005 Hampton _Road _ Zip 55422
Home Phone ( 7 6 3) 5 8 8— 32 0 8 Number of years (months) resident of Golden Valley 2 yrs .
If you are appointed, your work phone and address for the purpose of this appointment will be at City Hall. If you
have other work, please complete the following:
Employer Dorsi & Whitney_ LLP__
Address
50 South Sixth Street
Work Phone (612) 752-7326
"ies your work require you to travel? (check one)
City
Minneapolis
a great deal periodically X very little
Zip 55402-1498
not at all
Please list any special interests or training you have that could benefit a particular Board or Commission
(attach a separate sheet if necessary).
Please see attached.
The information provided by you on this application will be used to determine your suitability for appointment to a City of
Golden Valley board or commission. Participation as a board/comtnission member is strictly voluntary, and you are not
required by law to furnish any information requested on this application. However, if you do not furnish this information, we
may have trouble determining your suitability for appointment, contacting you with information regarding your application
and, if selected, with your duties on the board or commission. Information on this form will be shared with the City Council
and appropriate City staff. If you are appointed, your name, home address, and phone contact number will be made avail-
able to the public. Your job history, education and training, and work availability are public data and will be released to the
public on request. You will be asked to update this information annually.
Phone contact number to release to the public: (61 2) 752-7 6
Please number your choices according to preference:
Board of Zoning Appeals
Building Board of Review
Civil Service Commission
2 Environmental Commission
Human RieNtl Commission
_j Signature
Human Services Foundation
NW Hennepin Human Services Council Advisory Commission
_3_ Open Space & Recreation Commission
_ 1 Planning Commission
Date
PETERSON.SARA. biography
SARA J. PETERSON
Dorsey & Whitney LLP
50 South Sixth Street, Suite 1500
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402-1498
(612) 752-7326
eeterson.sara &clorseylaw com
Experience
Dorsey & Whitney LLP
Associate in the Environmental, Natural Resources and
Energy group since 2000, focusing on property
contamination and land use issues in both transactional and
litigation settings.
Professional Activities
Member, American Society for Testing and Materials
Committee E50 on Environmental Assessment
Member, Minnesota State Bar Association
Education
Duke University School of Law
J.D., 2000
James A. Bell Scholar, Class of 2000
University of Michigan
School of Natural Resources & Environment
B.S., 1995
Environmental Policy and Management
University of Michigan Angell Scholar, 1992-1995
Admissions
Admitted to practice before the State Courts of Minnesota
and the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota
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