BE IT RESOLVED, that the 2020 maximum levy for the Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission be set at $1,500,000, and that the levy be certified to the county auditor and be placed on all taxable property under the jurisdiction of the commission.

History: The Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission requests a levy of $1,500,000 to fund the commission’s portion of the project costs for five flood mitigation and water quality projects that are listed as high priorities in its Capital Improvement Plan. The projects will achieve the commission’s goals to reduce flooding and improve water quality of surface waters in the watershed including the main stem of Bassett Creek, Crane Lake, Medicine Lake, Sweeney Lake, and downstream resources including the Mississippi River. Descriptions of the projects to be implemented in part with the levy funds are:

1. The Medicine Lake Rd and Winnetka Ave Long Term Flood Mitigation Plan Implementation: DeCola Ponds B & C Improvement Project (Golden Valley) will address significant flooding issues in the City of Golden Valley by adding approximately 22 acre-feet of additional flood storage. This project will reduce flood depth at Medicine Lake Road’s low point to allow passage of emergency vehicles, as well as reduce flooding risk for one structure (a 12-unit condominium on Rosalyn Court). Additionally, the project reduces phosphorus load by 9.0 pounds per year and restores 2.7 acres of wetland and upland habitat. The total project costs are estimated at $3,800,000. The commission requests a 2020 levy of $500,000. The commission levied $1,031,500 for this project in 2019. The remaining project costs will be paid by State of Minnesota, Hennepin County and the City of Golden Valley.

2. Bryn Mawr Meadows Water Quality Improvement Project (Minneapolis) will collect stormwater runoff from 45.1 acres of residential areas into two new stormwater ponds within the park. Signage accompanying the new water features will provide an education to park users. The project will remove an estimated 30 pounds of phosphorus and 10,500 pounds of suspended sediment from Bassett Creek. Estimated project costs are $912,000. The commission requests a 2020 maximum levy of $100,000, and plans to request an additional levy for this project in future years. This project will be constructed in conjunction with a complete reconstruction of the park by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. All costs associated with the commission’s portion of the reconstruction project will be paid by levy funds.

3. Jevne Park Stormwater Improvement Project (Medicine Lake) will develop additional flood and water quality treatment volume within the footprint of an existing wetland in Jevne Park. Outcomes of the project include an additional 0.38 acre-feet of flood storage, removal of 4.1 pounds per year of phosphorus from Medicine Lake, and improved wetland and upland habitat. The commission requests a maximum levy of $500,000 to cover all project costs.

4. Crane Lake Improvement Project (Minnetonka) will construct an underground treatment system beneath a new park just east of Ridgedale Drive that will treat stormwater runoff before the water is discharged to a filtration/infiltration system. The project will treat runoff from 13.3 acres that currently flows into Crane Lake without treatment. The project will remove 8.5 to 10.5 pounds of phosphorus per year and about 3,500 pounds of suspended sediment per year from Crane Lake. Estimated project costs are $582,837. The commission requests a 2020 maximum levy of $380,000. The remainder of project costs will be paid by the City of Minnetonka.

5. Sweeney Lake Water Quality Improvement Project (Golden Valley) will significantly reduce phosphorus and improve water quality in the lake by removing carp in Schaper Pond (immediately upstream of Sweeney Lake) and performing an alum treatment within Sweeney Lake. Estimates indicate that this project will exceed the total phosphorus reduction goals for Sweeney Lake, and result in “flipping” this lake from an algae dominated system to a healthy clear water system that can support aquatic recreation and a balanced aquatic ecosystem. Estimated project costs are $550,000. The commission requests a maximum levy of $20,000 in 2020, and plans to request an addition levy of $200,000 for this project next year. The remainder of project costs will be paid by a Federal Clean Water Act Section 319 grant.

Levies authorized pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 103B.251 are exempt from any statutory limitation on taxes. A county levying a tax under Minnesota Statutes, section 103B.251 shall not include that tax in the county’s general levy but shall separately certify that amount to the county auditor. The county auditor shall extend that levy as a special taxing district. The commission must certify its final levies to the county auditor prior to October 1, 2019.

Current Request: This request is to set the Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission 2020 maximum levy at $1,500,000 for projects that will reduce flooding and improve water quality.

Impact/Outcomes: Approval of this request will allow certification of the maximum levy to the county auditor for inclusion in Truth in Taxation statement. Projects in this request will protect and improve water quality in Crane, Medicine and Sweeney lakes; engage the public on water resources management; reduce flooding on Medicine Lake Road and in the vicinity of DeCola Ponds in Golden Valley and near Jevne Park in Medicine Lake; and improve water quality in the main stem of Bassett Creek, as well as downstream water resources.