Gardner council discusses $500,000 state grant and possible land sale to fund lake spillway repairs

Council members discussed next steps for repairs at Gardner Lake after staff reported an outside inspection and subsequent state review. City staff said an independent inspection from a local group was submitted and that the city’s required inspection (performed by Olsen) rated the dam differently, prompting follow-up reviews.

City staff told the council the State Conservation Commission had offered a $500,000 grant to help pay for spillway reconstruction, which staff estimated at roughly $750,000. That would leave the city’s share at about $125,000 if the county contributes its portion; staff said the county’s share would need Board of County Commissioners approval. To cover the city’s contribution, staff proposed placing a roughly 1.2‑acre parcel the city owns at the lake on the market and applying sale proceeds toward the repair costs.

Councilmembers asked for a comparative side‑by‑side of the two inspections (the independent report and the Olsen inspection the city is required to use); staff agreed to provide that analysis and reported the grant acceptance agreement from the state would arrive in the coming weeks and would outline final terms. If the city accepts the grant and funding is approved by partners, staff said the project would use FY25 money and could proceed next construction season.

The council discussed coordinating with the Lake Association on ownership transfer after repairs were complete and raised questions about dock fees and whether deed provisions would preserve water rights for the adjacent golf course. Staff said they would pursue the comparative inspection analysis and follow state grant acceptance steps before returning to the council with formal documents.