7.2.
CC Regular Session
- Meeting Date:
- 12/08/2015
- By:
- Michael Healy, Community Development
Information
Title:
Discuss Follow Up of Recent Erosion Site Visit on Mississippi River and Consider Authorizing a Shoreline Inventory of Erosion Concerns along the Mississippi River
Purpose/Background:
Purpose
The purpose of this case is to recap a recent site visit of a property along Mississippi River with potential erosion issues. The site visit was at the request of the Property Owner. As a primary outcome of that discussion, Anoka Conservation District recommended that a shoreline inventory be completed in order to better position the community for other funding sources to aide property owners implement erosion stabilization projects.
Thorough documentation of the erosion problem could prove important if the City and/or the Anoka Conservation District are going to attempt to secure competitive grant dollars for erosion mitigation efforts. The Anoka Conservation District recently completed a shoreline inventory of a portion of the shoreline upstream of the Coon Rapids Dam, including both the Mississippi and Rum Rivers within the Coon Rapids Dam Pool. This inventory stopped just short of the borders of the City of Ramsey. This study was aimed at measuring the erosion impacts of a new program begun in the winter of 2012-2013 to keep water levels elevated all year long in the Coon Rapids Dam pool to halt the spread of invasive carp species.
The Anoka Conservation District has quoted the City of Ramsey a price of $5,000 to extend the study to cover all of the Mississippi River properties within the city. This cost would include $1,500 to complete a photo inventory of the river and $3,500 to compile a formal report. One of the included deliverables would be an atlas showing all of the pictures of the entire riverbank. The $5,000 payment would be a lump sum and the Anoka Conservation District would be responsible for any cost overruns.
The purpose of this case is to recap a recent site visit of a property along Mississippi River with potential erosion issues. The site visit was at the request of the Property Owner. As a primary outcome of that discussion, Anoka Conservation District recommended that a shoreline inventory be completed in order to better position the community for other funding sources to aide property owners implement erosion stabilization projects.
Thorough documentation of the erosion problem could prove important if the City and/or the Anoka Conservation District are going to attempt to secure competitive grant dollars for erosion mitigation efforts. The Anoka Conservation District recently completed a shoreline inventory of a portion of the shoreline upstream of the Coon Rapids Dam, including both the Mississippi and Rum Rivers within the Coon Rapids Dam Pool. This inventory stopped just short of the borders of the City of Ramsey. This study was aimed at measuring the erosion impacts of a new program begun in the winter of 2012-2013 to keep water levels elevated all year long in the Coon Rapids Dam pool to halt the spread of invasive carp species.
The Anoka Conservation District has quoted the City of Ramsey a price of $5,000 to extend the study to cover all of the Mississippi River properties within the city. This cost would include $1,500 to complete a photo inventory of the river and $3,500 to compile a formal report. One of the included deliverables would be an atlas showing all of the pictures of the entire riverbank. The $5,000 payment would be a lump sum and the Anoka Conservation District would be responsible for any cost overruns.
Staff has contacted Anoka County Parks to to consider contributing financially to the project due to their interest in better understanding erosion issues at Mississippi West Regional Park. Anoka County Parks has expressed a willingness to be a partner and discussion continues regarding the appropriate share of funding from the City and Anoka County Parks. The Anoka Conservation District has indicated that the best time to complete such an inventory is during leaf-off conditions prior to significant snow accumulation so that the erosion would be completely visible.
Background
The owners of several properties along the Mississippi River recently invited the Ramsey City Council to visit their properties to witness severe erosion that has been occurring. The property owners report that erosion has intensified in recent years and that their individual efforts to combat it have been both expensive and ineffective as long-term solutions. According to the property owners, plantings aimed at mitigating erosion have been washed away within a 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.
Background
The owners of several properties along the Mississippi River recently invited the Ramsey City Council to visit their properties to witness severe erosion that has been occurring. The property owners report that erosion has intensified in recent years and that their individual efforts to combat it have been both expensive and ineffective as long-term solutions. According to the property owners, plantings aimed at mitigating erosion have been washed away within a 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.
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:
Motion to authorize Staff to contract with the Anoka Conservation District to conduct a shoreline inventory of Ramsey's Mississippi River properties at a not-to-exceed cost of $5,000, with a cost-sharing arrangement with Anoka County Parks.
Attachments
Form Review
| Inbox | Reviewed By | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Brian Hagen | Tim Gladhill | 12/02/2015 11:13 AM |
| Chris Anderson | Chris Anderson | 12/02/2015 12:28 PM |
| Brian Hagen | Tim Gladhill | 12/03/2015 08:01 AM |
| Brian Hagen | Tim Gladhill | 12/03/2015 08:28 AM |
| Kurt Ulrich | Kurt Ulrich | 12/03/2015 10:57 AM |
- Form Started By:
- mhealy
- Started On:
- 12/01/2015 01:33 PM
- Final Approval Date:
- 12/03/2015