City Commission Workshop Meeting

APPROVED:11/5/2015 City Hall City of Eustis, Florida 10 North Grove Street Post Office Drawer 68 Eustis, FL 32727-0068 Meeting Minutes - Final* City Commission Workshop Tuesda~October27,2015 6:00PM City Hall CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Holland - 6:00 p.m. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF QUORUM AND PROPER NOTICE Present: 3 - Karen LeHeup-Smith; Bill Brett; and Michael Holland Absent: 2 - Linda Bob; and Carla Gnann-Thompson I. Workshop Item 15253 Discussion Regarding Status of Lake Gracie Mayor Holland opened the meeting with comments on the beauty of Lake Gracie and benefits to the community He turned the meeting over to Vice Mayor LeHeup-Smith who had requested the meeting based on residents' concerns. Vice Mayor LeHeup-Smith explained the meeting was scheduled as a result of an inquiry by Dr. William Zeller regarding what could be done about the lake. She introduced Ron Hart from the Lake County Water Authority Mr. Hart explained he has a degree in limnology which is the study of lakes. He cited various changes in Lake Gracie over the years noting that, while part of the changes are natural, the rate at which the lake has changed is not. He presented a slide show showing the state of the lake over the years noting the changes since 1941. He indicated that the fluctuations in the water level did not directly correspond to the rain levels each year and noted the overall reduction in the lake level with a corresponding increase in aquatic vegetation. He commented on the effect of the most recent years' rainfall between 2000 and 2014 and the increase in shallow water plants. He stated the need to determine why the lakes are staying at low levels so long and noted that it is not just Lake Gracie but other area lakes as well. He explained how the below ground aquifers also affect the lake levels. Vice Mayor LeHeup-Smith confirmed that it is more noticeable with Lake Gracie due to it being a shallow lake to begin with. Mr. Hart stated that the overall area groundwater levels are considerably lower which also affects the lakes. Leslie Campione, Lake County Commissioner, noted that Lake Joanne and Lake Swatara do not seem to be as affected with Mr. Hart explaining that those lakes are situated over a dense layer of clay, known as a Hawthorne layer, which prevents the water in the lake from being lost down into the Floridan aquifer. He further explained the effect of acidic vegetation eroding the underlying limestone and creating sinkholes through which water may be lost. Commissioner Campione asked if dredging and reducing the nutrient loading would help. She also asked if the overgrowth is a result of nutrient loading. Mr. Hart responded that a lot of nutrients have leaked into the lake. He stated that if the depth was increased through dredging and the nutrients reduced, it could help reduce the vegetation. He added that the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) does allow permits for lake restoration. He explained that it may be more difficult to get a permit if you're dredging sand rather than oraanic matter. City of Eustis, Florida Page 1 Printed on 1012912015 City Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes - Final October 27, 2015 Ron Neibert, City Manager, asked if they would need to do sampling to see what is organic and where there is sand with Mr. Hart agreeing and stating that it is always good to remove built up organic material. Mr. Neibert also asked if the primary problem was due to sedimentation or regulations that have affected the lake with Mr. Hart stating the primary problem is the water level. Rick Gierok, Utilities Director, asked if they had any idea what the water level actually was in the 1940's with Mr. Hart stating that could be approximated. Vice Mayor LeHeup-Smith commented on previous dredging of the lake with Commissioner Campione indicating her belief that it was only partially dredged. Mayor Holland opened the floor to the public at 6:28p.m. II. Public Input The following residents and other interested parties addressed the Commission with comments on the history of the lake and previous efforts to improve the lake: 1) Larry Powers; 2) William Zeller; 3) Don Stearns; 4) Ben Rebel; 5) Tully Patrowicz; 6) Bill Daly; 7) Janet Black; and 8) Dennis Kirst. Issues discussed by the attendees and Commission included the following: 1) Lake not appearing to hold water following a rain; 2) Previous installation of a drain to control lake levels; 3) Pumping of the lake following Hurricane Donna to relieve flooding and the possibility the lake was pumped too low allowing underlying limestone to dry out and crack increasing the rate of water draining from the lake; 4) Possibility of lakes in Florida connecting to the aquifer through sinkholes under the lake; 5) The frequency of flooding from Lake Gracie prior to 1960 and the lack of flooding following 1960; 6) Problem with more groundwater withdrawals and the overall effect on the Harris Chain of Lakes; 7) Whether or not dredging and removal of vegetation would improve the lake levels; 8) The effect of Little Lake Gracie on Lake Gracie; 9) The possibility of pumping water into Lake Gracie and probable results; 10) Whether or not the lake could be dredged and then some type of liner put in place to reduce drainage from the lake; 11) The lack of sufficient site specific information regarding the Hawthorne layer under the lake, how much sand may be mixed in and amount of cracking; 12) The expense for any possible remedies; 13) The need for surrounding residents to not pump out of the lake for irrigation or to use irrigation wells due to the reduction in the groundwater levels; 14) The need to treat any runoff and prevent sediment from accumulating in the lake; 15) The possibility of applying for a grant from the Lake County Water Authority to restore the lake or to request state funding for the restoration; 16) The County and City undertaking a publicity campaign to encourage water conservation; 17) The possibility of pumping water from the aquifer into the lake since it would eventually go back into the aquifer and the doubt that it would be permitted by the state; 18) How pumping of water would create an artificially controlled lake which would have to be continually maintained; and 19) Where the water from the stormwater drains winds up. Mr. Gierok explained the stormwater system has concrete pipes that eventually discharge into the lake. He noted that the lake has been monitored since July 2007 as part of the City's consumptive use permit. He stated that the water is currently higher than it was in 2007; however, it is still not deep enough to drown the excess vegetation. He expressed concern that, if there is only a foot or two of organic material, then the plants would come right back due to insufficient water depth. He indicated he would research applying for a grant with the Water Authority Further discussion was held regarding the following: 1) Offering discounted potable water for irrigation to reduce use of irrigation wells; 2) Offering a reduced cost for irrigation meters; 3) Encouraging residents to utilize low water grasses and limit fertilizer use; 4) Utilizing a resident irrigation well to determine soils in the area; 5) Contacting local well drillers to obtain records regarding area soils; 6) Water samples taken from the lake through the Lake Watch program; 7) Whether or not the existing muck is deep enough that, if removed, would provide sufficient water depth to drown the overgrowth; 8) Whether or not the dredging could be done through a Water Authority grant; 9) The possibility of submitting a request to the Water Authority which might be considered for a future budget due to that type of project not being specifically funded each year; City of Eustis, Florida Pagel Printed on 1012912015 City Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes - Final October 27, 2015 10) Whether or not the water level would go down as a result of the dredging; and 11) The possibility of pumping water from Lake Eustis into Lake Gracie in order to provide sufficient depth to drown the vegetation. Mr. Hart explained, while that could be done, it would require a second consumptive use permit. He noted that the residents along Lake Eustis would probably oppose such a project and probably the Water Authority Board would also oppose it. He explained the Board has historically taken a stance against withdrawals from groundwater. He added that would not be a long term solution. He further explained that there would be issues the residents would experience if dredging is done. He specifically cited possible problems with mud, fish kills, and equipment noise. He stated there would be a significant disturbance period before they would see any improvement and then the lake still would not go back to its 1940 levels. He emphasized the need for realistic expectations and the high cost of such a project. It was asked who owns Lake Gracie with Mayor Holland responding the State of Florida. III. Commission Direction CONSENSUS: It was a consensus of the Commission for staff to publish a report on the discussion and to begin working with the County Commission, the Water Authority and local state legislators regarding grant funding. It was asked how the residents can keep informed about the progress on the lake with Vice Mayor LeHeup-Smith recommending that they sign up to receive email blasts through the City's website. Miranda Burrowes, Community Relations Coordinator, demonstrated the location of the email request on the City's website. Mary Montez, City Clerk, explained the minutes of the workshop would be posted to the City's website once approved by the Commission at their next meeting. Mayor Holland suggested that those interested could see Ms. Burrowes after the meeting and provide her with their email addresses. IV. Adjournment- 7:54 p.m. ~, MICHAEL L. HOLLAND City Clerk Mayor/Commissioner *These minutes reflect the actions taken and portions of the discussion during the meeting. To review the entire discussion concerning any agenda item, go to www.eustis.org and click on the video for the meeting in question. A DVD of the entire meeting or CD of the entire audi o recording or verbatim transcript of the meeting can be obtained from the office of the City Clerk for a fee. City of Eustis, Florida Page3 Printed on 10129/2015