Citizen's Environmental Quality Committee
Regular MeetingWinona, MN · June 1, 2023
Minutes
CITIZENS ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE MEETING NOTES
DATE: Thursday June 1, 2023
TIME: Scheduled for 4:30 pm in the City Hall Council Chambers
PRESENT: Sadie Neuman, Madalyn Bollig, Paul Schmitt
GUESTS:
STAFF: John Howard, Gabby Walker (Summer Impact Corps)
1. Call to Order: Call to order at 4:32 PM by Paul Schmitt (interim Chair).
2. Review and Approval of April 2023 Meeting Minutes: Motion by Madalyn, second by Sadie. Approved
unanimously.
3. Summer Impact Corps Introduction: Gabby introduced herself and shared her background. Sadie, Paul and
Madalyn shared their backgrounds. Paul asked Gabby if there was anything the CEQC could do to help
Gabby with her service term. Each member shared some of the topics and projects that they are working on.
4. Community Garden Update: Paul shared that there are a number of events happening in the garden this
month. John provided a brief update on community gardens throughout Winona. A lack of staff capacity has
held up much work on proposed west side garden. John noted that the City still intends to have public
meetings about gardens. Additionally, the City is exploring a new West side location that may be donated.
Madalyn shared that St. Mary’s community garden is still open, but not heavily used. The sustainability club
is working on developing a community model. Maddy will explore if community members could use the
unused portions of the St. Mary’s garden.
WSU has a SEED garden that is still in operation. Sadie suggests inviting all the community garden entities to
have a conversation.
Paul asked if volunteer efforts would help advance the community gardens. John said volunteers at the
garden would be very helpful. Cotter students are required to do community service so may be a big help.
5. Boulevard and Park Tree:
John summarized that tree planting is well under way with Abby leading the way. The hope is for 200
boulevard trees to be planted. Seventy additional trees are going into Prairie Island campground. The City
likely has availability for additional boulevard locations, so residents are invited to contact John or send an
email to eab@ci.winona.mn.us to request a boulevard tree. Sadie asked where the trees are being stored?
They are stored in a gravel bed at the City’s wastewater treatment plant.
Sadie wondered about alley tree planting? John said the City would allow a resident to plant there, but is
unlikely to supply a tree for an alley.
6. Lake Winona Condition Analysis:
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) does decadal monitoring of lake conditions, and recently
reviewed the data for Lake Winona to gauge progress between 2010 and 2021. Lake Winona is impaired for
nutrients based on both of these reviews. Neither the big lake or small lake is meeting any of the three
parameters (Phosphorus, chlorophyll-A, clarity) for nutrient impairment. Some progress on the individual
metrics, but not enough to end the impairment. One piece of good news is that Pleasant Valley Creek is
likely no longer impaired.
John noted that there have been an unusual number of questions and concerns about the appearance of the
little lake. Curly leaf pondweed has been very abundant this year, so has been alarming to some park users.
John hopes to discuss options for curly leaf pondweed more extensively at a future meeting.
John also brought up that the MPCA is suggesting the little lake be recategorized from a shallow lake to a
standard lake. Doing so would lead to a more rigorous impairment standard, which would be much harder
to meet. For this reason, and the fact that the little lake fits more criteria of a shallow lake, the City staff
recommendation is to maintain the current categorization. Paul asks why the MPCA is proposing this
change? John relayed that the MPCA staff noted some large lake characteristics, which is the only
explanation John can think of.
Madalyn asked what actions are being taken to improve the water quality of the lakes? Doesn’t seem much
change in conditions in the last 10 years. John said there were some local initiatives such as rain gardens and
shoreline protection/restoration, but larger structural pieces haven’t been done. A report commissioned on
lake quality in 2019 recommended structural changes like a large pre-treatment pond that would divert
water into the wetland area before the little lake. Probably the most impactful action would be doing an
alum treatment, but that requires carp removal, which has yet to receive funding. John reported that Dr.
Neal Mundahl of WSU is doing a carp population count, so that may get the ball rolling. There is also the
possibility of applying for Clean Water Funds now that the City has a completed watershed plan.
Sadie asked if the report was detailed enough to show where phosphorus was entering the watershed. John
said that the report had general divisions of where phosphorus is entering the lake system, but not enough
detail to pinpoint actions. Sadie asked about the street sweeping program of the City. John said the City
emphasizes fall clean up, but is unsure of the schedule otherwise. Sadie attended a recent webinar that said
spring sweeping can also be effective.
7. Other Business: Paul shared the community garden schedule.
8. Adjournment: Motion to adjourn by Madalyn, second by Sadie. Accepted by acclamation. Adjourned at
5:13.
Notes prepared by John Howard.
Agenda
May 26, 2023
Citizens Environmental Quality Committee
Winona, Minnesota 55987
Dear Committee Members:
The next meeting of the Citizens Environmental Quality Committee meeting will be held
on Thursday, June 1st, 2023 at 4:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall.
1. Call to Order
2. Review of April Meeting Minutes
3. Introduction of Summer Impact Corps Member (10 minutes)
4. Community Garden Update (10 minutes)
5. Boulevard and Park Tree Planting (10 minutes)
6. Lake Winona Condition Analysis (10 minutes)
7. Other Business (5 minutes)
8. Adjournment
Sincerely,
John Howard
Natural Resources Sustainability Coordinator
CITIZENS ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE MEETING NOTES
DATE: Thursday April 6, 2023
TIME: Scheduled for 4:30 pm in the City Hall Council Chambers
PRESENT: Sadie Neuman, Madalyn Bollig, Paul Schmitt and Dan Hall
GUESTS:
STAFF: John Howard, Abby Wickboldt
1. Call to Order: Call to order at 4:38 PM by Dan Hall (Chair).
2. Review and Approval of March. 2023 Meeting Minutes: Motion by Paul, 2nd by Madalyn. Approved
unanimously.
3. Community Garden Update: John provided a brief update. The East Rec garden is fully subscribed and
should be opening soon. John intends to have a neighborhood meeting to discuss west side garden options,
and then hopefully build this spring. The Hiawatha Valley Mental health grant has not been awarded yet to
John’s knowledge. Abby had questions about a proposed rain garden there, and if it would supply the
garden’s water. John believes the rain garden would just be to filter stormwater for infiltration and not to
irrigate the garden.
4. Boulevard and Park Tree:
Abby began by describing the tree inventory efforts of earlier members, and shared her iTree Eco report
with members of the CEQC. Abby described that there are many interesting data points to capture and
display through the iTree program such as pollution captured and dollar values of ecological services. There
is even more data Abby could gather for a more robust and specific recommendations.
Abby asked the CEQC for input on what to focus on and what to share with the community and City Council.
She said dollar figures for every individual tree can be calculated.
Dan noted that the online Beacon website displays details on the public trees. Dan feels numbers add
weight to the argument for trees. Abby described the many benefits that trees can provide, and that large
trees are regularly being cut down for various reasons, such as street reconstruction. The overall outlook for
trees is bleak with many more ash trees to be removed in the years to come.
Paul said energy and carbon data would be useful – tons might be harder for people to understand. Dan
suggested focusing on tree deserts, and the benefits the trees would have in these areas. Dan referenced 8th
St. reconstruction. Sadie suggests using “Canopy scarce” in place of “tree desert”.
Sadie asked what resistance there is to tree planting in the City, or where that is coming from. Abby
described the tension between engineering projects removing boulevard trees and residents wanting them.
John relayed the budget for tree planting depends on grants. Sadie suggest a behavior change program
would be useful to get more people to support trees.
Maddi understands the value of a condensed report version, but also would like to see the full analysis.
Maddi suggests contacting the universities to reach passionate tree people and students. Abby wonders
how to best engage with other passionate people, and achieve change. The CEQC members suggest Friends
of Winona Parks, Healthy Lake Winona, Anne Conway and Winona Outdoor Collaborative. Abby described
some of her previous work with a non-profit tree planting, and concerns about making an impact with
university students.
5. Earth and Arbor Day Events: There will be an earth and arbor day event in Winona this year on April 22nd at
the Jaycee Pavilion. The City is again in the Tree City USA program. Abby is planning a tree give away at City
Hall on Arbor Day, April 28th.
6. Other Business: Conservation Minnesota is holding an environmental board game session later this month.
7. Adjournment: Motion to adjourn by Paul, second by Madalyn. Accepted by acclamation. Adjourned at 5:26.
Notes prepared by John Howard.
CITIZENS ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE
AGENDA ITEM: 6. Lake Winona Condition Analysis
PREPARED BY: John Howard
DATE: June 1, 2023
The MPCA is reviewing water quality data for the WinLaC watershed to determine
improvements and additions/removals to the impaired waters list. Data for East Lake Winona
does not show much improvement from 2011-2021. The story for West Lake Winona is
somewhat better, but not to the point of correcting the impairment. The best news from this
assessment is Pleasant Valley Creek may be removed from impairment.
Large Lake
Parameter Goal 2010-11 2021 Average
Total Phosphorus <40 µg/L 52.3 48 51.1
Chlorophyll - A <14 µg/L 51.7 40.9 48.1
Clarity Depth (Secchi Disc) >1.4 M 0.98 0.8 0.94
Small Lake
Parameter Goal 2010-11 2021 Average
Total Phosphorus <60 µg/L 84.8 65.3 77.7
Chlorophyll - A <20 µg/L 69.1 33.6 55.3
Clarity Depth (Secchi Disc) >1 M 0.85 1.2 1.02
The MPCA will be taking public comment on all the waterbody impairments at the end the
year. They are also proposing moving the Small Lake to the same parameter goals as the
large lake.
Waterbody name WID Year added to Draft assessment PJG Agreement Additional notes
Impaired Water decision
List
Lake Winona (Southeast 85‐0011‐01 2014 Lake Winona Water Quality Improvement Plan
Bay) (Barr, 2020) had 2018 data collected by SMU.
Aquatic recreation MPCA reaching out to see if data is appropriate
(Eutrophication) Yes for storage in EQuIS.
impairment remaining “East Lake’s” TMDL has been written to general
lake standards (TP: 40 ppb, Chl‐a: 14 ppb, secchi:
1.4 m.).
Lake Winona (Northwest 85‐0011‐02 2014 Lake Winona Water Quality Improvement Plan
Bay) (Barr, 2020) had 2018 data collected by SMU.
MPCA reaching out to see if data is appropriate
for storage in EQuIS.
Aquatic recreation
“West Lake’s” TMDL has been written to shallow
(Eutrophication) Yes
lake standards (TP: 60 ppb, Chl‐a: 20 ppb, secchi:
impairment remaining
1.0 m.). MPCA is reviewing whether this is
appropriate given recent bathymetry data
indicates West Lake meets deep lake criteria (>15
ft + 80% littoral)
North Fork Whitewater 07040003‐524 2024 New listing: Total
Yes
suspended solids (TSS)
North Branch Whitewater 07040003‐F38 2024 New listing:
Yes
Macroinvertebrate IBI
North Branch Whitewater 07040003‐F39 2024 New listing:
Macroinvertebrate IBI Yes
New listing: Fish IBI
New listing: Total
Yes
suspended solids (TSS)
Gorman Creek 07040003‐569 2024 New listing: Fish IBI
2022 New listing: Yes
(2019 Opt‐in) Macroinvertebrate IBI
Speltz Ck 07040003‐555 2022
New listing: Fish IBI TBD by SID
(2019 Opt‐in)
Unnamed Ck (trib to 07040003‐609 2022 New listing:
Habitat
Whitewater) (2019 Opt‐in) Macroinvertebrate IBI
M. Fk. Whitewater 07040003‐515 2024 Correction: Fish IBI Not discussed in detail
Beaver Creek (LTBM) 07040003‐566 2024 Delisting due to Yes
corrective action:
Macroinvertebrate IBI
Pleasant Valley Creek 07040003‐588 2024 Delisting for unknown Yes Flagged for additional TSS monitoring; will validate
reasons: Fish IBI secchi‐tube dataset.
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