HomeMy WebLinkAbout20100517 - VI-24City of Hastings Parks & Recreation
920 W 10 St, Hastings MN 55033
Ph: (651) 480 -6175
Fax: (651) 437 -5396
Web: www.ci.hastings.mn.us
"Creating Community Through People, Parks, and Programs"
Date: 5/12/10
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council
From: Barry Bernstein, Parks and Recreation Director
Subject: Metropolitan Council Request
The Metropolitan Council has requested to replace their existing Vermillion River water monitoring station
located within the Con Agra Mill with updated monitoring equipment located within Vermillion Falls Park.
City Engineer Nick Egger and I met with representatives from Met Council onsite to further investigate the
needs, size and possible location for such a water monitoring station. It was determined that the best location
was above the falls between the existing trail and the river.
I have enclosed a letter from the Met Council explaining the needs of such a monitoring station. I have also
enclosed a letter from the Vermillion River Watershed and pictures of what the monitoring station would look
like. Nick and I spoke to the representatives about a natural barrier surrounding the unit and Met Council was
receptive to the idea.
Both the Parks and Recreation Commission and the Parks and Recreation Committee of Council reviewed this
proposal and recommended approval by the full City Council.
Thank you!
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A Metropolitan Council
Environmental Services
March 11, 2010
Barry Bernstein
Parks and Recreation Director
City of Hastings
920 10th Street West
Hastings, MN 55033
Dear Mr. Bernstein,
Thank you for meeting me at Vermillion Falls Park to consider my request to locate a
water quality monitoring station near the falls. This letter includes a detailed description
of the monitoring station and fully explains the request.
Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (MCES) has been monitoring the water
quality of the Vermillion River in Hastings since 1994. Dakota County SWCD has been
our monitoring partner since 1999. The data has been used in a variety of studies
addressing issues in the Vermillion River watershed and the Twin Cities Metropolitan
Area.
Currently, most of our monitoring equipment is located inside the ConAgra plant, which
is logistically very difficult and inefficient for site visits. Basic equipment maintenance is
unsafe at best, impossible at worst. I request permission to locate the water quality
monitoring station in Vermillion Falls Park at the upstream edge of the weir near the
concrete plaque.
The monitoring equipment will be contained inside a metal box, approximately
31 "00 "x48 ", similar to a meter box. The sampling line will be trenched from the box to
the river. The probes will be mounted underwater.
The only part of the monitoring station that will be visible to the public is the box. The
box will be bolted to a wooden platform. MCES will minimize the visual impact of the
box by painting it brown or green and planting shrubbery to conceal it. It can have
informational signage or not, as the City prefers.
In a well -used public space, vandalism and graffiti are always a concern. The box will be
secured with a recessed padlock. MCES will store coordinating paint in the box to
immediately address graffiti. We will keep the box well- maintained in appearance and
rust -free. The box will be painted on a regular schedule and replaced as needed.
This request is only for permission to locate the water quality monitoring station in the
park. MCES will provide all labor, materials, and equipment for station construction,
operation, and maintenance.
www.metrocouncil.org
390 Robert Street North • St. Pahl, MN 55101 -1805 • (651) 602 -1005 • Fax (651) 602- -1477 • TTY (651) 291 -0904
Are Yqua2 Opportunity .Employer
Z appreciate your time considering this request. if you have any questions about the water
quality monitoring station, please contact me at 651 -602 -8745 or
casandra.cham ion y metc.state.mn.us
Sincerely,
Casandra L Champion
Sr. Environmental Scientist
Metropolitan Council Environmental Services
2400 Childs Rd
St. Paul, MN 55106
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March 11, 2010
Barry Bernstein
Parks Director, City of Hastings
920 10th Street West
Hastings, MN 55083
Dear Mr. Bernstein;
I was informed by Cassie Champion at the Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (MCES) and Travis
Bistodeau of the Dakota County SWCD (SWCD) that the MCES is interested in moving their Vermillion River
monitoring station to a new location on City park property. The station is currently located inside the
ConAgra Foods plant and the proposed move would be to a new location within Vermillion Falls Park. From
my understanding, the logistics of accessing, maintaining, and running this station have become quite difficult
in its current location.
The SWCD has conducted the Vermillion River monitoring network of stations for many years. The record of
data that has been provided by this network has been invaluable to the Vermillion River Watershed Joint
Powers Organization (VRWJPO). The flow of data from all of our stations helps us to make informed
decisions on management of the watershed on a regular basis. The location of this station is critical to our
management as it is unique within the watershed. The characteristics of the river change significantly below
the falls and this location is a pivotal point of understanding impacts upstream of this location and how they
affect the stream downstream. From the information I have been provided about this potential move, I
agree with the MCES and SWCD's assessment of the move to its proposed location. I feel their experience
with identifying station locations and the need for each station is notable.
From a logistics standpoint, I understand why the MCES and SWCD need access to their monitoring stations
quickly and conveniently. However, I can also understand the need to have aesthetically pleasing,
unobstructed resources such as parks and open spaces. I do feel the monitoring box can fit into the current
landscape with little to no effect to the overall appeal of the park. I hope that you and the city can
understand the need for moving this station and can help us to accommodate it.
If you have any questions for me about this matter, please contact me at (952) 891 -7546 or
travis.thiel@co.dakota.mmus at your convenience.
Sincerely or Regards,
Travis Thiel
Watershed Specialist
Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization
14955 Galaxie Avenue, Apple Valley, MN 55124, 952.891.7000, Fax 952.891.7588
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Table LVIL Vermillion River Monitoring Station Information
Station Address:
County:
Major Basin:
Watershed:
Drainage Area:
Station Operator:
2005 Vermillion Street, Hastings, MN . 55
Dakota
Mississippi River Basin
Vermillion River
326.97 square miles
Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District
Metropolitan Council Environmental Services Contact Information:
Contact Person: Casandra Champion
Address: 2400 Childs Road
St. Paul, MN 55106
Phone: 651- 602 -8745
E -mail: casandra .champion @metc.state.mn.us
Watershed District or Watershed Management Organization: Vernllion River Joint
Powers Organization.
Station Overview: MCES has supported water quality monitoring of the Vermillion
River sincoM The Vermillion River flows from western Scott County and drains
most of Dakota County. The monitoring station is located inside the ConAgra Mill near
91
For additional stream monitoring information and monitoring methods regarding
this site, see www.metrocouncit.ort!/enviroament/RiversLakes.
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