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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5.D.1. Lake O'Dowd Invasive Species Project Support $.D. I. CITY OF SHAKOPEE MEMORANDUM COt~SEtlT To: Mayor and City Council Mark McNeill, City Administrator From: Jamie Polley, Director of Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources Meeting Date: May 19, 2009 Subject: Lake O'Dowd Invasive Species Project Support INTRODUCTION: The City Council is asked to approve the EAC's recommendation to provide funding assistance for the Lake O'Dowd Invasive Species project that was conducted in April of 2009. DISCUSSION: The O'Dowd Lake Chain Association has requested funding from the City of Shakopee to control invasive aquatic weeds on the southernmost bay of Lake O'Dowd. The Association, with the assistance of Scott County, submitted a grant proposal to the DNR on January 30, 2009, asking for funding to chemically treat Lake O'Dowd for a specified and extremely problematic portion of the Lake - the southernmost bay - as this contained and manageable area can serve as a demonstration project for future efforts to control aquatic weed growth and improve water quality in other areas of Lakes O'Dowd and Thole. The Association also requested a DNR permit to chemically treat the area. Past attempts by both the Association and Scott County to receive a DNR permit and grant assistance to treat these weeds failed. The southernmost bay is approximately 48 acres in total area, but the actual area chemically treated on April 27, 2009 was 38 acres, based on a pre-treatment survey conducted by the DNR April 17, 2009. Thus, the treatment area did not extend to any private property (shorelines and dock areas). The treatment was required to be completed when the water was between 50 and 60 degrees therefore giving the DNR a very short time frame for application. Thirty-four property owners are participating in this effort; any costs not covered by grants or allocations shall be divided between the property owners. Per DNR direction, the property owners cannot chemically treat their own shorelines or dock areas this year. In addition, any property owners who draw water from Lake O'Dowd for lawn maintenance should not do so for 120 days, as the treatment chemicals can damage their lawns. The cost for treating the delineated 38 acres is $16,590. This cost includes one application of Aquathol K and triclopyr, and testing (twice) for chemical concentration levels. The Association approached Scott County for further assistance, and received a $2,625 grant. A balance of $3,389 still remained. The Association requested funding from Louisville Township in the amount of $1,898 to help offset the remaining costs of the chemical treatment. Of the 34 property owners participating in this project, 19 or 56% are located in Louisville Township. ($3,389) x (56% Louisville Township share) = $1,898 $16,590.00 Cost to treat + 2 water tests - 10,576.00 DNR Grant - 2,625.00 Scott County grant - 1 ,898.00 Louisville Township grant $1,491.00 Balance remains = Proposed City of Shakopee grant At the Louisville Township regular monthly meeting last night, the Board unanimously approved the Association's request. Because the Town Board was aware that all government entities that the Association approached have offered assistance, and was also aware that the Association is asking for the same assistance from the City of Shakopee, the Town Board committed the Association to return at next month's Township meeting to apprise the Board of the City of Shakopee's participation. The Association asks that the City of Shakopee fund the $1,491 remaining balance, reflecting the 15 properties' share (or 44%) located within the city. ($3,389) x (44% City of Shakopee share) = $1,491. A representative from the Lake Association attended the EAC meeting on May 13, 2009 to answer any questions. The EAC inquired as to why the homeowners were not paying anything towards the project. The homeowners have agreed to not do any treatments to their lawns and shorelines this year. They also had to sign off on the treatment proposal and take the risk that portions of the project may require their financial assistance. The EAC also inquired as to why the City is being approached after the project has been completed. The representative apologized for the late approach however a citizen group applied for the grant and was unaware additional funding would be needed. After review of this test bay the Association would like to complete the same treatment to the northern portion of the lake. If this project moves forward the City will be approached prior to the project development. BUDGET IMPACTS The Natural Resources budget contains funds for contracted services that can be utilized for projects such as this. The request for this project is coming to the City after the project has been completed. It would be recommended by the City that further projects similar to this that would request additional funds from the City be brought to the City prior to the project commencing to insure funding is available. CITY VISION & GOAL D. Vibrant, resilient and stable ACTION REQUESTED: The City Council, if concur, approve financial support in the amount of $1 ,491 for the Lake O'Dowd invasive species control project funded by the Natural Resources contracted services budget. Page 2 of 2