Millstream Amenities Committee Seeks Members

 

The Millstream Amenities Committee seeks the volunteer contributions of six citizens willing to invest the time and effort toward the committee's charge. If interested, contact Councilmember John Goodfellow: john.goodfellow@cityofmarine.org or 651-433-1494.

 

Background
The current design of the restoration of Millstream is being conducted by the Watershed District. The design focuses on restoring the ecological integrity of the stream channel and riparian corridor while providing public access points to the stream. This is funded by a grant from the Lower St. Croix Partnership that covers:

  • detailed engineering design plans (95%) guided by stream restorationist experts and public input and
  • the acquisition of DNR and Wetland Conservation Act permits.

Plans will be completed by the end of 2025, at which point the Watershed District is planning to apply for grants for construction in 2028.
The community has demonstrated a high level of interest in this effort, including the potential aesthetic and recreation opportunities created by the project. Unfortunately, the restoration project does not include any consideration of recreational or use amenities that are logically associated with the stream restoration work.


Committee Charge
It is recommended that a Millstream Amenities Committee (MAC) be established and charged with evaluating opportunities to create additional value that could be associated with the ecological restoration work. The MAC will identify opportunities to enhance long-term amenity and recreational values associated with the stream in areas that may be affected by the restoration of the stream. The kinds of opportunities that may be evaluated include, but are not limited to, preservation of cultural resources, historical uses, walking trails, benches, crossings (bridges), water access, interpretive signage, and public art. The MAC will rely on public engagement to determine the community’s interest in any opportunities under consideration.

The committee will work concurrently with the ecological restoration plan development now being conducted by the Watershed District and will produce a report of findings to the City Council. Three milestones will define the functional life of the MAC:

  1. An initial report of findings to City Council by the end of 2025.
  2. If the City Council decides to support the Watershed District’s applications for construction grants, the MAC could support grant applications and/or apply for grant funds focused on amenity and recreational features.
  3. If a construction grant is awarded and the City Council agrees to proceed with construction on the stream restoration work, the MAC could support construction of amenity and recreational infrastructure.


Makeup of the MAC
It is recommended that the City Council appoint a Councilmember to be their representative on the MAC. It is recommended that the size of the committee include ~6 or more citizens, with the intent of being inclusive of citizens willing to invest the time to contribute meaningfully to the MAC’s work. It is anticipated that the MAC will invite Citizen Volunteers to participate in the committee’s work.


Reporting
The MAC will submit a progress report to the City Council at each of its regularly scheduled meetings.


Conclusion of the Committee’s Charge
The MAC will submit a final report summarizing the completion of its Charge and suspend operation awaiting direction from the City Council. It may be disbanded by City council at each of the three milestones listed above.