Minutes of Regular Meeting # 772 Held in the Lake Elmo City Council Chambers
Thursday, May 10,  2007 

MANAGERS PRESENT:  Lincoln Fetcher, President; Dave Bucheck, Vice President; Don Scheel, Secretary, and Dale Borash, Treasurer; Duane Johnson, Manager

OTHERS PRESENT:  Dr. Mike Manthei, Silver Lake Association; Jay Riggs, Washington Conservation         District

PUBLIC FORUM Dr. Mike Manthei of the Silver Lake Association, updated the managers on the aquatic plant treatment of Silver Lake. The treatment was done on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 8^th and 9^th, and the cost totaled $49,077. The cost was higher than expected because the applicator had not anticipated using a granular form of 2,4-D. Dr. Manthei reported that he has raised enough money to cover the treatment costs, but is requesting $2,945 from the Valley Branch Watershed District to cover the time that it took the applicator to prepare his equipment for applying the chemicals. Dr. Manthei indicated that the applicator took more time than anticipated to calibrate his equipment to the VBWD=s data. Dr. Manthei also said that the applicator was not able to use the VBWD 2006 data because the DNR required him to use a map prepared by the DNR this spring. President Fetcher asked Engineer Hanson about the data. Engineer Hanson said the requested VBWD data had been provided to the applicator in a method proposed by the applicator, in the applicator=s requested format, and within a reasonable time frame. The managers were unsure why the applicator needed more money to use the VBWD data, when apparently the applicator was required to use the DNR data. Dr. Manthei presented a letter to President Fetcher, requesting the additional money. President Fetcher indicated that the managers will respond soon. Vice President Bucheck congratulated Dr. Manthei on raising the money and getting the aquatic plant treatment complete.

SECRETARY=S REPORT Secretary Scheel reported that the mail had been distributed.

INSPECTOR=S REPORT Inspector Roemmich reported on his activities since the last meeting.

ATTORNEY=S REPORT Attorney Marshall said he had nothing new to report.

TREASURER=S REPORT Treasurer Borash said the Treasurer=s Report will be made at the second meeting of the month.

MLCCS Mr. Riggs said that the Oakdale portion of the VBWD has now been mapped, but the WCD still needs to conduct field visits of the area. The WCD has completed field investigations for approximately 10% of the VBWD land mapping coverage, but the WCD will try to complete closer to 20% coverage. The WCD will be updating areas that were mapped based on non-2005 aerial photos. The WCD had sent out a letter to all communities within the VBWD in December 2005, requesting money for the project. Some of the communities with larger areas did not respond, so the WCD re-sent letters to West Lakeland Township, Baytown Township, and the City of Oakdale in February 2006. These communities still have not agreed to help finance the project. Mr. Riggs reported that the VBWD agreed to pay $20,000 for the project, but the project costs are now approximately $26,000. If other communities do not contribute, the WCD will be requesting more money from the VBWD. Mr. Riggs also reported that the original VBWD approval did not include mapping that portion of VBWD within Ramsey County. The managers discussed options for completing this work, and then directed Engineer Hanson to investigate the options and costs.

MNRAM Mr. Riggs reported that the WCD has not had time to prepare a proposal for conducting a VBWD-wide wetland function and values inventory. He indicated that the WCD should have a proposal completed and sent to the managers next week for discussion at their May 24^th meeting.

East Metro Water Resources Education Program Mr. Riggs reminded the managers of Angie Hong=s summary of activities. He indicated that Ms. Hong is continuing to search for a volunteer to host a neighborhood focus meeting regarding Best Management Practices.

Erosion Control Workshop Mr. Riggs said that the WCD is planning to have a workshop soon on various erosion control materials. The workshop will likely be held on a site in southern Washington County.

MS4 Tool Kit Mr. Riggs indicated that the WCD is starting this program, which was recently awarded an MPCA grant.

Griggs Long Lake Shoreline Restoration Project Mr. Riggs updated the managers on the project, and distributed photos. Engineer Hanson presented information submitted by Pete Young of the WCD to widen the vegetative buffer on the site, as requested by the managers. Engineer Hanson showed the managers that Mr. Griggs has seeded an area upstream of the shoreline plantings with a no-mow fescue grass. With this additional seeding, the vegetative buffer will be closer to conforming to the VBWD rules. Mr. Young=s cost estimate to widen the buffer even more, is $3,000. After discussion, President Fetcher indicated that he will discuss the issue with the landowner and report back to the managers at a future meeting.

BMP Cost Share Program Vice President Bucheck and Mr. Riggs handed out Best Management Practices cost share program information. Vice President Bucheck led the managers through the information. After discussion, motion was made by Scheel and seconded by Fetcher to accept the WCD May 3, 2007 proposal of $34,200 to administer a $50,000-$100,000 VBWD cost-share grant program for the period 2007 through the end of 2008. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Riggs indicated that he will prepare a contract for the managers.

ENGINEER=S REPORT Permit Request: Fairgrounds Demolition Derby Engineer Hanson reported that he has been working with the Washington County Agriculture Society=s contractor on the project, but a plan is not yet complete for the managers to discuss.

Valley Creek Dam Engineer Hanson had mailed a memorandum to the managers that summarized data and management options regarding the dam. After discussion, the managers directed Engineer Hanson to contact the owner of the dam via a letter and suggest that the landowner meet with him and Vice President Bucheck to discuss the results of the VBWD=s investigations.

Comments to the DNR: Woodbury Pumping The managers briefly discussed a copy of a letter Engineer Hanson had sent to the DNR regarding the City of Woodbury=s proposal to pump groundwater at two new eastern wells.

MANAGERS= REPORT Next Meeting - May 24, 2007 The managers expect to have a quorum present at the next meeting on May 24, 2007, but Manager Johnson expects to be absent. Manager Borash indicated that he might be absent from the June 14^th meeting.