Council to draft letter after residents and councilors raise concerns about Met Council treatment-plant landscaping

Council members and residents on Oct. 14 raised concerns about the planting and maintenance approach at the Metropolitan Council's water-treatment property along West Edge Boulevard, asking staff to draft a formal letter asking for corrective steps.

What prompted the discussion: Several councilors described a visible strip of the treatment-plant property that had been planted under a sustainability approach earlier this year; residents and councilors said the area grew tall weeds, appeared unkempt and then was mowed/treated in ways that left the frontage looking inconsistent with surrounding properties.

Council response: Councilor McNeese and others said multiple residents had expressed dissatisfaction with the appearance and that Met Council representatives had acknowledged implementation errors and promised to replant. Councilors asked staff (Jesse) to draft a direct, council-signed letter to Met Council outlining Mound's expectations for maintenance and for the city's preferred outcome (for example, a maintained grass strip adjacent to the street, with sustainable plantings behind the fence where visibility is limited).

Parks and trails notes: Councilors also reported positive feedback about recent park work at Chester Park and Edgewater Park; they asked staff to follow up on trail width and safety rails at Chester Park and to consider historical signage for the park.

Next steps: Staff will draft a firm, council-approved letter to the Met Council raising the community concern, propose preferred remedies and request a timeline for corrective actions. The draft will come back to the council for review and signature.

Source: Council discussion and public comments at the Oct. 14 meeting.