[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6138690,"mediaKeyId","5582240-3c7e75813ecdeb5403f122746e58d221","parentId",5582240,"title","After hours of testimony, Mound council asks attorney to draft resolution denying Harrison's Bay lake improvement district","audioSeconds",10028,"startMs",3349000,"endMs",13377000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5582240-3c7e75813ecdeb5403f122746e58d221&start=3349&end=13377","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5582240-3c7e75813ecdeb5403f122746e58d221/thumbnail_3349000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6138690/Mound-City/Hennepin-County/Minnesota/After-hours-of-testimony-Mound-council-asks-attorney-to-draft-resolution-denying-Harrisons-Bay-lake-improvement-district","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6138690-4dea631f8672ad8ebd8c5ca013069ca2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770842097&Signature=jNhylUXQrcZ1NvTLvnYQR0eW2YQL8eedf5XkYaPRt6diKDSnmyfBVvJLGRO15XFxesFSO20I7xdCPEuaCRuwWPiGZrH6znpOmgArFtN8wlILfRIf9W97GlsJ3Tnm-nRuK3G~rzmTjdwMy6wKHLgnAnp5jcPgjWHyR0ofKXR4YZ6D0WtlBqtrNia4M1F9ApQkUE6iLHzVk1rF9Sr6HLvHItekbDZjevQdCle6LTjfKHR5v3uLaWl6f-XPAWvcetYnuDFWTVrNouL3fu5akz8XxJDKY1CryKuK-RnOS8xrddLwRy0MDJX1dvE7QiJReFgFBYSvSb-qorlVkc7O10hGwQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Mound, MN","date","2025-08-14T12:19:47.267Z","article","MOUND, Minn. — After more than two hours of testimony from lake neighbors, environmental consultants and state regulators, the Mound City Council directed the city attorney to prepare a resolution denying the petition to form a Harrison's Bay lake improvement district (LID). The council plans to consider a formal resolution at a subsequent meeting within the 10–30 day window specified in state guidance.

What the proposal would have done: Petitioners sought a LID that would include 233 properties around Harrison's Bay and levy assessments for lake management activities such as aquatic invasive species control, shoreline restoration, carp control and public education. Petition organizers told the council the district would give residents a mechanism for long-term funding and would make the bay eligible for larger grants.

DNR briefing and technical framing: Representatives from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ aquatic invasive species program addressed the council and the assembled audience. April Landau, invasive species specialist for the metro area, summarized permitting and safety oversight: “Only herbicides approved and safe by the EPA and the Department of Agriculture are used, and these herbicides are applied at or below the recommended use rates,” she said, describing the state’s permitting and technical-review process. Mike Verhoeven, the DNR aquatic invasive species consultant, explained the statutory framework and said the DNR evaluates permits against criteria including native-plant protection, recreational impacts and water quality.

Proponents’ case: Barton Holling, representing the Harrison's Bay Association, framed the LID as a way to create predictable, local funding and access to larger grants. He said the petition outreach produced 185 responses and that the association proposed a first-year budget of $31,007.50 to cover surveys and early actions. \"We believe the LID strategy allows the community around Harrison's Bay ... to have a long term sustainable strategy to improve the health of the bay,\" Holling said.

Opposition and community concerns: Dozens of residents spoke in opposition, raising questions about chemical treatments, fisheries impacts and the transfer of liability or costs to city taxpayers. Longtime anglers and local fishing advocates said they had observed declines in nearshore fish catches after repeated treatments, and several speakers asked for more joint study involving DNR fisheries staff. John Range, a lakeshore resident and organizer of other fish restoration efforts, said he feared a \"one-sided\" approach: \"I think the danger we have here is this is the danger of a one-sided story,\" Range said.

Legal, financial and procedural questions: Petition organizers and the DNR discussed boundaries: the proposed LID would be wholly inside the city of Mound and include 233 parcels, plus one marina business. Petitioners said assessments would vary by parcel type with a proposed lakeshore owner assessment around $150; the association proposed a cap of 100% over the initial assessments for the life of the district. Critics raised concerns that trusts, multi-owner parcels and out-of-city shoreline complicate the legal petition process. Several commenters urged stronger DNR post-treatment monitoring and more transparent reporting of herbicide use and silt testing.

Council action and next steps: After hearing technical testimony from DNR staff and roughly 50 people during the public hearing, the council voted to direct the city attorney to draft a resolution denying the establishment of the Harrison's Bay LID. The motion passed by voice vote with one councilor opposed. The city attorney will prepare the formal resolution for the council to adopt (or reject) at a meeting scheduled within the 10–30 day window required by state guidance. Staff and petition representatives said they will continue outreach and can return to the council with revised proposals if the community so chooses.

Why the debate matters: Harrison's Bay is part of Lake Minnetonka and is listed as impaired by state water authorities; residents and environmental groups are seeking ways to reduce phosphorus loading, invasive plants and carp-related re-suspension of nutrients. The LID debate pits those who want a locally governed, funded program to pursue treatments and carp control against those who worry about chemical use, lake-wide coordination and the legal and financial consequences of forming a taxing district that uses city channels for tax collection and administration.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Mound City Council Meeting - 8/12/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Following a lengthy public hearing and technical presentations by DNR aquatic-invasive-species staff, the council directed the city attorney to draft a resolution denying formation of the Harrison's Bay lake improvement district; the council will take formal action at a later meeting.","taxTitle","Mound City, Hennepin County, Minnesota","taxId",71061,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6138695,"Council awards Lost Lake Commons Phase 2 contract to Pembroke; approves trail and boardwalk upgrades",1858,1439000,3297000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5582240-3c7e75813ecdeb5403f122746e58d221&start=1439&end=3297","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5582240-3c7e75813ecdeb5403f122746e58d221/thumbnail_1439000.jpg","/articles/6138695/Mound-City/Hennepin-County/Minnesota/Council-awards-Lost-Lake-Commons-Phase-2-contract-to-Pembroke-approves-trail-and-boardwalk-upgrades","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6138695-f97f45b1bc4bde2e643825b324d30cf0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770842097&Signature=ZXpwN1211rTGpwPhA~hg2QvXG4tav0NQvaMAsMC0tIi7lv8w0XT4vyHEyFPMW9oVYGkrDyjHbarQnlhMRYEbPdtdQDOd2~8V-0xNrtV7rh~mSdLLwU4XlXemV2fHhr9X6V6n-uRxlVYK6zmez2yK9-LSSwmCVHIMeGk-1KXSf9Qy3Hx8Ngp5zPnL27QV-mkbugQrbsAVVeE~cy3EDvvGYahE90lOIIUM2A-cLz7OcJadtUi5lF6P6w6IJfbKVRv0~mT6A1IbBgCjQapvSEqoVa2T-KwS90DLdWWzWk-Dgf1aMN2oqmyKpdAwdJ6zm7MtDF~xYDtH0CErT0NrbcHBMw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","MOUND, Minn. — The Mound City Council voted Tuesday to award the Lost Lake Commons Phase 2 construction contract to Pembroke Companies and to include two alternates: converting a section of trail to concrete and replacing the boardwalk decking.

The decision: City Engineer Matt Bauman presented bids for the Lost Lake Commons Phase 2 project (city project PW 2510) and recommended awarding the base bid to Pembroke Companies, the low bidder. After debating a set of alternates — signage and Adirondack chairs (alternate 1), replacing a trail section with concrete (alternate 2), and replacing the boardwalk decking with composite (alternate 3) — the council approved the base bid plus alternates 2 and 3 and declined alternate 1. The council approved the resolution accepting the bid by voice vote (majority approval).

Why it matters: The work is intended to complete the long-planned public amenity at Lost Lake Commons. Bauman said the long-term financial plan had $884,000 allocated for the project; bids came in competitively but with costs that could put parts of the project “a little bit over” that allocation. The boardwalk decking alternate was quoted at just under $48,000; the trail conversion alternate was presented to the council as a more durable, aesthetic option to match the plaza.

Public input and debate: Joanna Khan, chair of Mound's parks-related commission, urged the council to restore amenities citizens had advocated for during an earlier multi-year design process, including interpretive signs and the “art walk.” Council members and staff replied that some fixtures can be deferred, that elements of the base bid supply the supporting fixtures (for example the panels’ mounting structures), and that the council planned additional joint workshops with the parks commission to finalize interpretive content.

Budget and contract details: Bauman said bids were competitive — the low bid was significantly below the high bid and the engineer’s estimate — and that Pembroke has completed previous city work. The council’s action approves resolution 2568 and directs staff to execute the contract and begin construction work under city procurement rules; staff said infrastructure elements are scheduled to be installed this fall with efforts to make the plaza usable for seasonal events, including holiday lighting.

Outcome and next steps: The council approved awarding the contract to Pembroke with the base bid plus alternates 2 and 3. Staff will finalize contract documents and coordinate installation timing with public events and seasonal constraints. The council deferred alternate 1 (wayfinding sign and Adirondack chairs) to a joint parks workshop to discuss sign content and seating options.

","Mound awarded the Lost Lake Commons Phase 2 construction contract to Pembroke Companies and approved two alternates — replacing a section of trail with concrete and replacing the boardwalk decking — while deferring decorative signage and Adirondack chairs.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6138700,"Mound council approves volunteer-led Edgewater park grant after heated discussion",896,301000,1197000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5582240-3c7e75813ecdeb5403f122746e58d221&start=301&end=1197","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5582240-3c7e75813ecdeb5403f122746e58d221/thumbnail_301000.jpg","/articles/6138700/Mound-City/Hennepin-County/Minnesota/Mound-council-approves-volunteer-led-Edgewater-park-grant-after-heated-discussion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6138700-81dcf690d9205871908a08b30f7895ad/orig.mp4?Expires=1770842097&Signature=R3b~UocC-QxlfCTaKmvP6ysQZEv1NTzCD0cdUktwDk6mbvPQKnsMYglxIWOCs4yepj1lG2p714ccXYPUkQg07qSFtJ~g3lwC0APKaCBm-8zbaqU2uEsKNcCfXB~3cEWxVN5ehxYkNi1rAHB27tpvaSL2fTRGL34ucwtUUJnWWEN~8Ys0s2FPNktil7-Q0Tm02~Ka4PQ3hmsOLkw0479MqwS7UKk-ehcZX-zWXWQhBVSSVk0oeYetbHPrEnb~n94ZbA534pwFkhRGC0PJdf32DAgGXSP6WT3dZGtsAszv6Wj8CizwmmKBr97HmnN5jPz5R5~NT45qUm7G2p4QnoyGQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","MOUND, Minn. — The Mound City Council on Tuesday voted to allow a volunteer-led planting and stormwater project at Edgewater Park to proceed using a county grant and a small city commitment, after residents and commissioners debated whether the park should remain under city ownership.

The project manager, Tyler Piper, told council members he has already begun coordinating planting orders and volunteer labor and asked the council to remove Edgewater from a list of parks the city is considering selling. \"I'm not begging, but asking you to help me move forward with this so I can make the community better,\" Piper said during public comment.

Why it matters: Council members said they were sympathetic to Piper's effort and to the goals of repurposing underused parkland. But several raised fiscal and legal questions about whether accepting the grant — and the multi-year maintenance commitments the grant carries — would constrain future city decisions if the city later decided to sell the parcel.

Council discussion and outcome: Council reviewed the grant application and related county documents, and debated whether the city could accept the grant while the park remained on the sale/consolidation list. The council heard that the grant package is relatively small — Piper said the total grant is about $7,000 with a city commitment of about $1,500 — but that it requires a multi-year maintenance commitment and the county requires recordkeeping and access for six years.

After discussion the council voted in favor of proceeding with the grant. The council approved a motion to proceed with the Edgewater grant by voice vote; the motion carried.

Details and next steps: Piper said the grant work would be volunteer- and manager-led, and that planting and other activities are timed. He said he has discussed the project with the county grant manager but had not yet received a firm answer about whether the grant could be moved to another park if necessary. Council members asked staff to confirm the county's timelines and the city attorney to review the legal obligations in the grant agreement before the city signs any contract. The council's vote authorizes staff to proceed; the city will complete a legal review and finalize execution steps before reimbursements begin.

Community context: The Edgewater item came after a parks workshop where councilors discussed the future of multiple small parks as they balance long-term maintenance costs and capital needs across the system. Several council members expressed concern about setting precedent if the city accepted grants that require long maintenance commitments while parks remain under consideration for sale.

Looking ahead: Staff said they will return with the final paperwork and a summary of any legal or fiscal obligations tied to the grant. Piper and his volunteer group said they plan fall plantings if the city finalizes acceptance.

","The Mound City Council voted to proceed with a county grant and a city match for a volunteer-managed project at Edgewater Park after hearing from the project manager and months of review.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

After hours of testimony, Mound council asks attorney to draft resolution denying Harrison's Bay lake improvement district

Council awards Lost Lake Commons Phase 2 contract to Pembroke; approves trail and boardwalk upgrades

Mound council approves volunteer-led Edgewater park grant after heated discussion