Agenda - Council - 12/08/2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

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year or two and many attempts to reinforce the banks with rip -rap have failed to provide permanent relief. More details of feedback are included in the attached summary of discussions from the site visit. Observations/Alternatives: Observations There is visible erosion taking place at the Mississippi River properties that were visited by the City Council. There are several spots where the river has undercut the riverbank and exposed tree roots. It does appear that more comprehensive solutions are warranted at this time. Conducting a shoreline inventory is the most logical next step if the City is interested in better understanding the river erosion issue and helping the Anoka Conservation District to strengthen future applications for erosion mitigation funds along the river. Anoka County Parks has indicated willingness to participate in the cost of conducting the inventory due to their interest in better documenting and understanding the erosion occurring at Mississippi West Regional Park. Those details are still be clarified. Any approved cost share would reduce the City's not to exceed amount of $5,000. The completion of this type of a study would ultimately provide a public benefit. By better understanding the severity of erosion issues along the riverbank, the problem areas can be prioritized and the impacted property owners can be contacted to determine their interest/commitment to potential stabilization efforts. This seemingly would strengthen potential grant proposals aimed at mitigating erosion issues. That would not only stabilize the riverbank but would also result in better water quality and maintain or even improve aquatic habitat along the shoreline as well. Alternatives Alternative 1: Authorize Staff to engage the services of the Anoka Conservation District to complete a shoreline inventory for a not -to -exceed cost of $5,000.00, and continue discussions with Anoka County Parks on an agreed cost -share structure. Staff recommends this option. Normally, Staff would postpone this case until these details are completed. However, time is of the essence if the City Council wants to move forward this year in favorable conditions. Alternative 2: Postpone action until a formal cost -share arrangement is finalized. The not to exceed amount of $5,000 is a relatively small amount. There is no formal need to move forward immediately, and this inventory can be postponed until fall/winter of 2016. This alternative is an equation of how this inventory fits within the Council's priorities. Staff would also support this option of delaying action. Staff simply didn't want to inadvertently miss out on a immediate opportunity. Alternative 3: Do not authorize this inventory. Without this more detailed information, grant funding to assist with addressing these issues will likely be difficult to secure and water quality and aquatic habitat would also be negatively impacted. Staff does not support this option. Funding Source: The inventory would be funded through a cost-sharing arrangement with Anoka County Parks and the City of Ramsey. The City of Ramsey's share would come out of the general fund as part of the Community Development professional services fund. Recommendation: City staff recommends engaging the services of the Anoka Conservation District to complete a shoreline inventory at a cost not to exceed $5,000, to be funded through a cost-sharing agreement between Anoka County Parks and the City of Ramsey. This study would be completed whenever the Anoka Conservation District determines that conditions are most suitable. Action: