2015.03.04 PREC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MEMORANDUM Rice Creek Watershed District an iron -enhanced sand filter near the outlet of the pond and 7th Street (removes phosphorus from runoff leaving the pond), as well as many other ancillary benefits which staff will discuss during its presentation. City staff has been very helpful in identifying some needs and desires of the City and the RCWD has and will accommodate these requests as best as it can. Some other important facts about the project include: • The Hansen Park pond is not a natural waterbody. It was created in 1969 when the City of New Brighton constructed the dam to impound water for flood control and water quality improvements downstream. • Ramsey County Ditch 2 flows through the pond north to Pike and Long Lakes. RCD 2 is a public ditch managed by the RCWD and is part of our "trunk drainage system". • The RCWD has received a $3.0 million grant from BWSR for a series of projects aimed at improving water quality in Long Lake — this project is part of that effort. Approximately $1.5 million of the grant is being funneled to Hansen Park. • In total, we expect the Hansen Park project to cost approximately $4.8 million. This does not include auxiliary improvements that may be requested by the City (trail lighting, trail paving, etc.). The RCWD is financing all of this $4.8 million with either grant funds or District -wide ad valorem tax levy. At this time, there is no financial responsibility allocated to the City. • Construction will likely take place from late fall of 2016 through the end of 2017. There may be some disruptions in park use during this time. Pond dredging would likely take place during the winter of 2016 at the beginning of construction. • We anticipate utilizing some of the baseball fields within the park for temporary (or permanent) storage of dredging spoils. RCWD staff is working with City staff to negotiate terms of this use. Relevant historical timeline: 1969: New Brighton constructs dam impounding pond in Hansen Park. 1972: RCWD founded, public drainage authority transferred to RCWD from Ramsey County 70's: RCWD implements a series of water control projects throughout the RCD 2/3/5 and RCD 4 drainage systems aimed at improving Long Lake 2009: RCWD completes its Southwest Urban Lakes Study — identifies Hansen Park as ideal location for large water quality improvement project for Pike and Long Lakes 2011: July rain event drops well over 7" of rain in four hours, widespread urban flooding results and is particularly bad upstream of 101h Street along RCD 2 (Polynesian Village) 2012: Flood Investigation Report completed — again identifies Hansen Park as important project 2013: Cities petition RCWD for Basic Water Management Project (accepted by RCWD) 2014: BWM Project Phase 1 report complete, petition amended to expedite Hansen Park project, RCWD receives BWSR grant to help implement Hansen Park and other projects Ultimately, RCWD staff anticipates reviewing this concept plan with the City Council at its March 24, 2015 meeting. At that time RCWD will also ask the Council for approval of a Memorandum of Agreement concerning RCWD's access to the park for construction and maintenance of the projects. Please note that the concept provided is just that — a concept — and final plans will be shown to City staff, the PRE Commission and City Council before implementation. We expect there will be ample opportunity for City staff to contribute in the future, as they already have thus far. Attachments: Hansen Park Concept Plan Page 2