HomeMy WebLinkAboutAppendix D_Mill Pond meeting invitation_20150930
September 11, 2015
Dear Resident,
Please join us for a community meeting to discuss the aquatic vegetation harvesting program on the Mill Pond.
The purpose of the meeting is to share a summary of the recent survey results and also get feedback from the
community about the special assessment boundary and a structure for making future decisions about pond
management. Feedback gathered from the recent survey and this community meeting will be shared with City
Council to inform future vegetation management decisions in the Mill Pond.
Please join us for a community meeting
Wednesday, September 30, 2015 at 6:00pm*
in the Multipurpose Room at the Public Works Bldg, 7450 Metro Blvd
*If you are unable to attend the meeting, please share your
comments, concerns, and questions via phone or email, listed below.
You are encouraged to join in the conversation and provide feedback on the following topics;
Aquatic vegetation harvesting survey results
Last month, a survey was sent to owners of properties that are special assessed for aquatic vegetation
harvesting to gauge the quality and value of the service as well as gather general comments. If you
missed the survey and would like to provide a response, please contact me for a copy. All survey
responses will be summarized and shared with City Council to inform the management strategy into the
future.
Special assessment boundary
Presently, there are 63 properties that are special assessed an equal share for harvesting of the Mill
Pond. The City also pays a share of the cost. Ten of the properties included in the special assessment
are located across the street from the pond (see attached map). We are seeking feedback on alternative
special assessment boundaries that may maintain, exclude, or reduce the share paid by all or some of
the properties that are not directly adjacent to the pond. Any change to the special assessment
boundary will have an impact on your special assessment; we’d like to hear from you. Feedback will be
summarized and brought to City Council members who will make the ultimate decision.
Structure for making future pond management decisions
Each summer we hear feedback about quality and value of the aquatic vegetation harvesting service
related to harvesting areas, frequency, and vendor. We also field requests for additional services,
elimination of services, and education. The City strives to balance these competing values and requests
for service while also weighing other factors including the physical constraints of the harvesting
equipment, the legal constraints spelled out by the DNR permit, and the nature of a pond with a stream
moving through it.
Currently, there is no structure for regularly obtaining feedback from the community as a whole to
ensure that decisions represent the majority. Organizing an association group may be a suitable solution
because it empowers the community to play a larger role in the decision making process and
encourages a more representative voice. It is a voluntary organization made up of people who own land
on or near a body of water and is often formed by land owners when they are concerned about issues
regarding the quality or use of the body of water and want to deal with them in an organized manner.
Minnehaha Creek Watershed District has funding available to help associations form. The City can
provide mailing addresses and further guidance on the process. It only takes a few volunteers to get
started.
Please provide your feedback on these topics at the community meeting. If you are unable to attend, I would be
happy to receive your feedback via phone, email, or in person.
Sincerely,
Jessica Van Der Werff
Water Resources Coordinator
jvanderwerff@EdinaMN.gov
952-826-0445