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FEASIBILITY STUDY POND MAINTENANCE PROJECT ON BICENTENNIAL POND May 17, 2007 INTRODUCTION This report is an engineering feasibility study for proposed project 02-06 the maintenance and improvements of Bicentennial Pond. Midwest Aqua Care has provided annual maintenance for the past five year period 2002 through 2006. They treated for submerged weeds, duck week, algae and the cattail growth which is encroaching into the open water area. Their contract has expired and is up for renewal. They have provided a new pond maintenance quote to the City in the amount of $9,247 for a five year period for 2007 through 2011. On May 14, 2007, a neighborhood meeting was held at City Hall. 6 of the 14 properties were in attendance, and 2 properties called saying that they were unable to attend, but no longer supported the project. Also, in attendance at the meeting were Tom Gertz from Midwest Aqua Care and Tom Petersen from the Ramsey Conservation District. Tom Petersen indicated that chemical treatment of the pond was only treating the symptoms of an ecosystem that was not in balance or even unhealthy. He believes that chemical treatment is not a sustainable activity and is merely providing aesthetic benefits. However, he acknowledged that green Kentucky bluegrass is also not sustainable in nature, and most residents water and provide chemical treatment to maintain the aesthetic appeal of a vibrant lawn. As a service that Ramsey Conservation District provides, he offered to perform an assessment of this pond. Tom Gertz agreed with Tom Petersen and additionally offered if chemical treatment was stopped, the pond would likely be dominated by one of the four main food groups - weeds, duck week, algae or cattail growth. As a precaution, he noted that the pond has Wolffra which is difficult to control and no warranty would be offered for it. The residents reached a consensus to continue with pond treatments. They all agreed that they want to maintain the presence of open water. Also, they wanted to know more if it would be possible in the long term to get away from chemical treatment by teaming with Ramsey Conservation District to help make the pond healthier. PREVIOUS HISTORY On November 7, 2001, the City Council received a petition from 14 properties of Bicentennial Pond requesting that the City make additional improvements to the pond located north of Bicentennial Court and east of 23`d Avenue NW. During the winter of 2000-2001 the City dredged and removed over 2,200 cubic yards of organic soil from Bicentennial pond, however, the results of this project did not achieve the objectives of the residents to improve the pond aesthetics and increase the water area. The action taken by the City Council on November 7, 2001, in response to the petition, was to receive the petition and direct Staff to meeting with the residents to discuss and study alternatives to improve the pond and to report back to Council with options and recommendations at a future meeting. A meeting at 2154 Bicentennial Court on January 28, 2002. The meeting was attended by several residents, Councihnember Char Samuelson, and the former Public Works Director Les Proper.