Agenda - Council - 06/25/2013 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CC Regular Session Meeting Date: 06/25/2013 By: Mark Riverblood, Engineering/Public Works Information Title: Approve Easement to Great River Energy at Alpine Park and Accept $14,000 for Restoration Background: 7. 3. As part of the landfill settlement agreement with Waste Management Inc. in the 1990's, approximately 90 acres of land was conveyed to the City of Ramsey north of the landfill for public purposes. At this same time the city planned for, and subsequently constructed Alpine Drive between Sunfish Lake Boulevard and Ramsey Boulevard. In addition, at this same time, the city was planning for a community park north of the landfill, adjacent to what was to become Alpine Drive. As Alpine Drive would bisect this tract of land, causing concern relative to park patrons crossing the road (if there was to be park on both sides of the street), the decision was made to sell the land north of Alpine Drive to a developer, with the proceeds funding the new park. Prior to the above conveyance of land to the City of Ramsey, Waste Management dedicated an easement for a electric transmission line on the west edge of what was to become Alpine Park, to the City of Anoka Municipal Utility. Recently, the Anoka Municipal Utility 'sold' their transmission line to Great River Energy (GRE) - and while the easement and infrastructure remain, GRE is in the process of securing easements with the current property owners along this transmission line (City of Ramsey versus Waste Management). Observations/Alternatives: Following Great River Energy's purchase of the transmission line and initiative to update easements with the present land owners; was a GRE program to clear the easements of encroaching trees. Tree clearing in easements is often troubling to adjacent landowners accustomed to seeing lush vegetation, then finding a stark, barren landscape following the tree removals. And this was the case at the west edge of Alpine Park after removals in the winter of 2013. Knowing that the now cleared 80' foot corridor at the park would re -vegetate over time, only to be completely 'denuded' years later, causing another period of distress by adjoining residents - staff used the opportunity of GRE's desire for an easement to negotiate a restoration plan for the park that would result in a landscape that served an appropriate ecological function, and one that would end the cycle of tree removals. A proposed restoration plan was developed with staff and Prairie Restoration Inc., with the intention of properly establishing a prairie planting, with large shrubs along the west property line of the park, adjacent to those homeowners that desired some screening. This plan in summary includes the following elements and associated investments: Site prep and grasses ($6,230 ) 50 shrubs at $50 each ($2,500) Straw mulch ($2,470 ) 2013, 2014 & 2015 maintenance and wildflower seeding ($2,750)