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10-09-18 CC WS Agenda Packet CITY OF SHOREWOOD 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MANOR PARK TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2018 5:30 P.M - 6:30 P.M. AGENDA 1. CONVENE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION A. Roll Call Mayor Zerby _____ Johnson _____ Labadie _____ Siakel _____ Sundberg _____ B. Review Agenda ATTACHMENTS 2. MANOR PARK POND Planning Director Memo 3. ADJOURN H MI =41k Concerns: Since it became part of the City's stormwater management system, the pond no longer serves the ecological or aesthetic functions it once did. In fact, it's not clear whether the pond is serving the stormwater management functions that were promised with the city and /or Minnehaha Creek Watershed District's approval of the Parkview subdivision. If the pond is indeed NOT adequately treating stormwater, it's possible the city is in violation of its permit under the federal Clean Water Act. What we'd like to see: Restore the pond's ecological and aesthetic functions (clear water, some aquatic vegetation, abundant birds, wildlife, beneficial insects, etc). (From Julie Westerlund) Concerns: Our kids, like many other kids in the area (conversations, observations) don't find this park very fun or interesting. They have no desire to use it. Even the family with the handicapped child tells us that they don't use it. I'm all in favor of having equipment geared toward kids of varying needs - heck, it's a big park - but we feel that this ought to be at least in some reasonable proportion to the vast majority of kids who want to do more than travel up a gradual incline. What we'd like to see: Bring the kids back and give them a play structure they actually want to play on. (From Mike Hopfenspirger) Concerns: My family enjoys getting outside and going for walks. As we all know, our neighborhoods are not particularly pedestrian - friendly. There are no sidewalks and roads are often narrow, winding and with poor visibility. I always carry a degree of anxiety when we head out - especially as the kids get older and leave the stroller. What we'd like to see: A walking path around the park help to give families a safer alternative and perhaps even encourage more of us to get outside. Such a path could be simple and (relatively) cheap or could be adorned at various points with benches and planters - certainly something that would enhance the park's appeal. (From Mike Hopfenspirger) The pond at Manor Park has existed as a natural feature going back at least 40 years. Neighbors report that it used to support populations of fish and birds, and that kids swam in the pond. Between 2005 and 2009, there were some concerns about excessive growth of aquatic plants, including lily pads. Water samples at that time indicated very good water clarity and neighbors observed lots of wildlife including turtles and egrets. When the Parkview subdivision was built (2005- 2012), stormwater from the subdivision was routed to the pond to fulfill stormwater treatment requirements. This was despite the fact that the pond had not been designed to function as a stormwater treatment facility. (At the time, one notion was that increased volume/ flow of water from Parkview into /through the pond would provide a solution to the aquatic plant growth.) Around 2010, the pond's bottom sediments were tested and found positive for the presence of PAH (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons). This fact dramatically increases the cost of dredging the pond because the spoils are considered hazardous /toxic waste and must be disposed of accordingly. For the past several years, the aquatic vegetation growing in the pond has all but disappeared and the pond has now become dominated by algae. The water clarity is very poor, which inhibits the growth of rooted plants such as lily pads or other beneficial vegetation which in the past would have captured and held phosphorus. The phosphorus flowing into the pond is now readily available to feed green algae, which forms a solid scum covering the entire surface of the pond. Wildlife is no longer abundant. On hot days, the algae produces an extremely unpleasant odor which is a nuisance to nearby homes. The water in the pond was tested this summer and found NOT to contain blue -green algae, which can be toxic to pets and people. ®Ideas for Next Steps At a minimum, properly maintain the pond under best practices for stormwater ponds. This very likely includes dredging the pond. This is expensive, but we feel it's a must -do item. Explore other low -cost solutions that could be used as a stop -gap treatment (barley straw has been suggested as one option that could be quickly and cheaply deployed). Explore the possibility of alternatives to using Manor Park pond for stormwater management. Could include expanding the size and function of the existing pond at the edge of Parkview subdivision. Address pollution from road runoff by preventing direct flow of runoff into the pond (provide some pre - treatment /filtration with more buffer strips or lengthening the drainage pathway). One idea is to build a berm between the pond and St. Alban's Bay Road. After dredging, re- establish habitat features (woody debris for turtle sunning and bird perching) and ensure a healthy shoreline plant community (thank you for not mowing to the edge!) Include a line item - either in the Park CIP or the water management CIP section of the City's 10 year comprehensive plan - that specifies actions to be taken to improve Manor Park Pond. Solicit public input in the process of prioritizing stormwater maintenance projects.