Res 2006- 76 Adopting Policy on Fences arounf Storm Water PondsCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION 06 -76
A RESOLUTION ADOPTING A POLICY CONCERNING THE
CONSTRUCTION OF FENCES AROUND CITY
STORM WATER PONDS AND WETLANDS
WHEREAS, the City of Mendota Heights storm water management system
includes a large number of natural and artificial holding ponds and wetlands, which serve
to control both the quantity and quality of surface water drainage; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that:
1. The City presently has holding ponds and wetlands which, at times, may hold
several feet of water.
2. Many holding ponds and wetlands are located in drainage easements on private
property and not City owned property.
3. Building fences around the holding ponds and wetlands would require the City to
obtain easements from the private property owners.
accessing the wetlands and pond areas.
5. A fence that is designed to defeat a determined child or trespasser could create
dangers of its own such as children injured by falling off the fence, being tangled
in the fence, or being trapped inside and unable to get back out.
6. Secured fencing around ponds and wetlands could delay rescuers who are trying
to reach a victim.
7. Having numerous fences around the holding ponds and wetlands in the city would
be contrary to the open space feeling which Mendota Heights elected officials
have sought to preserve and which the citizens treasure. In addition, numerous
fences would be disruptive of the neighborhoods' continuity and harmony.
8. The social and economic reasons to not constructing and maintaining fences
around surface water holding ponds and wetlands outweigh the social, economic
and political reasons to build such fences.
9. For the reasons noted above, the city has had a long - standing policy of not
fencing around ponds and wetlands. The city wishes now to fonnally recognize
this policy in writing.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED by the City Council of the
City of Mendota Heights that the social and economic factors involved in constructing
and maintaining fences around surface water holding ponds and wetlands are outweighed
by the social, economic and political reasons not to build such fences.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council declares that the City of
Mendota Heights has not and will not build fences around holding ponds and wetlands
for which the city is responsible.
Adopted by the City Council of the City of Mendota Heights This 5th day of September,
2006.
ATTEST:
By Y—�� -z ��
_at�een M. Swanson, try Clerk
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CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
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