9.1. SR 06-21-2021
Request for Action
To Item Number
Mayor and City Council 9.1
Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by
Work Session June 21, 2021 Amanda Erickson, Environmental Coordinator
Item Description Reviewed by
LORE Update Brandon Wisner, Engineering Project Manager
Peter Beck, City Attorney
Reviewed by
Cal Portner, City Administrator
Action Requested
1. Discuss LORE project and budget update.
2. Provide direction to staff regarding assessment amounts for lakeshore property owners.
Background/Discussion
The Lake Orono Restoration and Enhancement (LORE) project is nearly complete. In 2015, staff began working
with the lake group on Lake Orono to address concerns with decreased depths and accumulating sediment within
the lake. In 2019, the city received $1.5 million is state grant funding for the project. An additional $1 million of
funding was allocated to the project via Active Elk River. The remainder of the project was to be funded through
a city tax levy of $100,000 and assessments of $650,000 divided by 180 parcels owned by lakeshore property
owners with a total expected project budget of $3.25 million.
New Look Contracting, Inc. was tasked with removing approximately 125,000 cubic yards of material,
constructing aquatic habitats, installing shoreline restoration areas, and rock spawning beds. Due to favorable bid
pricing and flexibility to meet permit conditions, New Look removed 140,469 cubic yards of material from Lake
Orono. Final expenses for the project are nearly complete and detailed below.
Expense Totals
WSB Consulting $186,001.98
New Look Contracting $2,302,114.09
Right of Entry Agreement $6,222.79
Archaeological Study $3,656.25
Fish Restocking (approved February 2021) $7,000
Miscellaneous (legal, publication, ERMU staff time) $2,339.29
City staff time $185,850
Total Project Expenditure $2,693,184.40
Project Funding Totals
State Fund proceeds $1,499,999.12
Active Elk River $1,020,191.00
City Contribution $99,367.21
Assessment to lakeshore properties: $ TDB
The Elk River Vision
A welcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional
service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity.
Updated: August 2020
Staff is seeking direction from City Council regarding assessment amounts to private property owners. The
estimated assessment to property owners from the May 2020 LORE Feasibility Summary was $3,802 per unit, with
180 units eligible for assessment. The assessment could not exceed this amount but could be determined to be less
once the project was completed.
All state funds have already been spent on the project. The remaining balance can be paid for by Active Elk River
funds, city contribution, lakeshore property assessments, or a combination of some/all of these. Active Elk River
funds that are not spent on the LORE project could be used on other approved Active Elk River projects.
City staff is looking for direction from Council on how to proceed.
Financial Impact
LORE project budget
Mission/Policy/Goal
Meet changing needs - Agile
Attachments
None
N:\\Public Bodies\\Agenda Packets\\06-21-2021\\Final\\x9.1 sr LORE project and budget update.docx