Mitchell to provide timeline on lake drawdown and dredging after residents press for clarity

Residents who own property around Mitchell’s lake pressed the City Council for a public timeline on a possible drawdown and dredging project, citing costs and work already scheduled by shoreline contractors.

Troy Hellaloid, who said he was speaking on behalf of himself and other property owners, told the council many homeowners are paying to remove and store boat lifts and docks in anticipation of a drawdown. “Is the drawdown gonna happen? Is the dredge gonna happen?” Hellaloid asked, adding that contractors already hired for shoreline work may be left with no work if plans change.

The council responded that staff has been pressing Barr Engineering for a firm schedule. The mayor said he had directed staff to obtain a timeline from Barr Engineering and that the council would place that timeline on the agenda for the next city council meeting in two weeks.

City staff and the mayor emphasized the need to communicate so homeowners can plan for removing and storing docks and lifts. City staff said Barr Engineering had requested two more weeks to finalize details and that the council had directed staff to require that timeline be provided at the next meeting.

The public comment and the council’s response focused on timing rather than a final decision to draw down or dredge. No formal action or vote on the lake project occurred at the meeting; council members said an update from the consultant would be reported at the next meeting to give homeowners a clearer schedule.

The council did not provide a firm project start date at the meeting and made no binding commitment to proceed with drawdown or dredging; instead, the council promised to publish Barr Engineering’s timeline to inform residents and contractors.