WORKSHOP ITEM Robert Therres, Public Services Manager
Title
PROPOSED CITY ORDINANCE AMENDMENT TO ALLOW FOUNTAINS IN PONDS
Background
Council has been considering a request from a local business owner to place a fountain in the stormwater pond adjacent to his business. Currently, city ordinance does not allow fountains in ponds except by authorization of the City Council. At a previous workshop where this was discussed, Council asked staff to come back with recommendations on how a fountain or aerator could be allowed in a pond.
Attached is a proposed ordinance amendment that establishes a permit program, to be administered by staff, containing conditions whereby a fountain or aerator could be allowed in a pond with little or no impact to water quality. Conditions are based on a search of pertinent research and also contacting various local and national water quality experts, including the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
Direction
Staff recommends adoption of the ordinance amendment to cover any future requests for fountains or aerators in stormwater ponds.