8.f June Administrators report
Staff Report
Date of Meeting: July 19, 2016
To: City Council
From: Neil Soltis, Administrator
Re: Parks update
Ameresco solar garden (Oldfield) – The deadline for making a final decision on the Oldfield Solar Garden
was August 10, 2016. Ameresco has waived the deadline in order to have additional time to respond to
the issues that were raised at the last Council meeting. That deadline has been extended to September
20th, 2016.
Sunrise Energy Ventures solar garden (STH 97) – A draft of the development agreement for the Sunrise
Ventures solar garden is under review. The agreement will not be finalized until the developer has
submitted a final landscaping / screening plan and an escrow amount to guarantee the installation and
growth of the plant materials has been established.
Noise / discharge of firearms – There have been 2 recent complaints regarding the discharge of firearms
in proximity to residences. Currently the only enforcement option is the noise ordinance which requires a
measurement of the sound decibels.
Development code issues and enforcement – There have been 3 recent complaints regarding exterior
storage. Deputy Yetter has met with the property owners and is working to attain compliance. A letter
requiring full compliance by August 31 has been sent to one of the properties. One of the complaints
relates to exterior storage in the Shoreland district. The development code does not provide a distinction
as to what is considered the front or rear of these properties as it relate to the location of and setback s
for accessory buildings and exterior storage. A final notice regarding the construction of an accessory
building on a vacant lot in the St. Croix River District has also been sent.
Log house Landing Boat ramp – The request for proposals for the Log House Landing boat ramp has been
sent to 22 general and specialty contracting companies. The deadline for responding to the proposals is
Friday, July 29. A review of the proposals by the Council and Watershed District Board will be on the
agenda for the August 3 work session. The plans call for construction to begin after September 11 and be
completed by October 31. The application to the Army Corps of engineers is under review. The
application to the National Park Services for grant funding has been submitted and requires an NPS
archaeologist to look at where excavation would occur in order to get the cultural resource protection
clearances needed for the Federal funding.
Washington County Community Development Authority – The transition from a Housing and Redevelopment
Authority to a CDA is complete. The CDA has hired Chris Eng as its Economic Development Director. Chris
attended the City’s Eda Committee meeting on July 11.
Oakhill Cottages storm shelter – The CDA has informed us that the work on the storm shelter will begin the
week of July 18.
Patching – Prefer Paving has completed the patching work at the locations included in the request for
proposals. Prefer also completed the grinding and overlay of the larger areas on Old Marine Trail.
Ditch mowing – Ditch mowing of the City started on 6/3 and was completed on 6/29. A number of
complaints were received by the employee and the office from residents not wanting the ditches mowed
or the timing of mowing the ditches.
Guardrails – The cable barriers / guardrails on 199th and Old Marine trail have been repaired. These areas
have been sprayed to control the vegetation growth.
MPCA evaluation inspection – The MPCA Compliance Evaluation of the Bliss system required a response
to the issues cited within 30 days. That response was submitted on a timely basis. Bolton & Menk
prepared the nitrogen mitigation plan that was originally due on March 15. All del inquent reports have
been submitted. New data collection forms have been prepared and are being utilized to record the data
required by the MPCA.
Septic tank inspections – Inspections of septic tanks in the AE and Bliss systems began this week. Tanks
with significant accumulation of sludge will be scheduled for pumping.
Septic drainfields – The Anderson Erickson and Bliss drainfields have been mowed & trees growing in the
drainfields have been removed
Tree trimming – Trimming of trees and branches impeding or overhanging the road was completed on
199th, Oxboro, and Old Marine Trail. Additional trees have been cleared due to storm damage or resident
complaints.
Wind in the Pines – Vandalism to the signs that were installed in an attempt to keep visitors on the trails
and off of private property continues to be an issue. The perimeter of the parking area has been mowed.
Wayne Erickson ball field –The baseline fences and areas under bleachers and benches have been cleared
and treated for vegetation. The area beyond the outfield fence has been mowed. The ball field has been
dragged regularly. A request for proposals for the bleacher repairs / improvements will be sent out after
the softball season has been completed. The playground area has been cleared of weeds.
South ballfield - The trees overhanging the third base line have been trimmed and the ballfield has been
dragged. The baseline fences and areas under bleachers and benches have been cleared and treated for
vegetation
Oakhill T-ball field – The trees overhanging the first base line have been trimmed and the ballfield has
been dragged on 2 occasions. The fence lines and areas under bleachers and benches have been cleared
and treated for vegetation
Hay Lake Park – The gravel path leading from the park to the Settlers Monument has been treated to
eliminate weeds. The trees adjoining the parking lot have been trimmed to improve the parking.
Settlers Monument – The invasive woody plants in the understory between the monument area and
Olinda have been cleared. The monument area has been weeded and treated where appropriate .
Lilleskogen – The raingarden has been weeded and treated, where appropriate. Weed preventer has
been applied to the rain garden. The areas adjoining the parking lot have been mowed. Lakes Free
Church has provided youth volunteers for 2 days in July with another day scheduled. The focus of their
efforts is the removal of buckthorn and other understory woody species in the area behind the Veterans
memorial.