Minutes - Council Work Session - 04/30/2013 - Joint with Anoka CC

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Councilmember Backous said the substation was at Garfield Street and 7 Avenue and asked why it went farther north. City Manager Cruikshank outlined the proposed property owned by the State, stating they wanted to acquire it so the Public Works building can be moved when the rail station area develops. He said this is not the best location for Public Works and that this could be a nice opportunity to place the new substation here. City Manager Cruikshank said it originally was to be closer to the Grey Ghost Field and was unsure if the substation location is why the route ended here. Planning Director Braun said Highway 10 would not work because of the right -of -way and the track did not allow enough room. Councilmember Schmidt noted the former park and ride was abandoned and that is why we are using it too. Mayor Strommen asked how resident communication will occur. Development Services Manager Gladhill said Great River Energy will be sending that communication but that the City will do other informational pieces on the City's web page and newsletter this summer. Planning Director Braun said construction could potentially begin in the fall but will likely be spring but that they will work with Great River Energy on the timing. 3.03: Lower Rum River Watershed Management Organization / Rum River Dam City Manager Cruikshank gave an overview of the recent member city meeting on April 25 that included a number of topics, the most interesting of which was the Rum River Dam and its future. He said the meeting included four proposals: (1) Anoka wants support to apply for a $250,000 grant to study upstream hydrology and determine the necessary Dam improvements to create a better invasive fish barrier; (2) members and board support to work with the Legislature in 2015 to obtain more funding in the bonding bill to make Dam necessary improvements around $4 -$5 million, including a mechanized Dam system and change gate system on the east side of the Dam to create the recreational ool instead of a top loading gate. He said this request is more p p gg q immediate and that Anoka wants to submit the grant by May 16. Councilmember Weaver said the Dam is structurally sound for 30 years but that we just need redundancy because it is the last line of defense to Mille Lacs Lake for invasive species such as Asian carp. He said they want to be proactive because this is important to area cities as well as the region. Councilmember Freeburg inquired about the possibility of a taxing district for this project. Councilmember Weaver said this is a requirement of the Lower Rum River Watershed Management Organization (LRRWMO) that a plan is in place for maintenance of the Dam.