City of Oak Creek

Common Council Report

Meeting Date:  3/31/03

Item No.:         12

Recommendation:  That the Common Council adopt Resolution No. 10225-033103, a resolution designating 10101 S. Shepard Ave. and the southerly 300 feet of 10025 S. Shepard Ave. as a nature center (Tax Key Nos. 923-0289 and 923-9998-001) (5^th Aldermanic District)

Background:  The City will be constructing a regional detention basin on the City-owned properties located at 10101 S. Shepard Ave. and 10025 S. Shepard Ave. to reduce flooding both upstream and downstream.  The DNR has issued a permit for construction of this regional basin.  One of the provisions in the permit requires the City of Oak Creek to establish a vegetated water quality buffer, 50-feet wide around the basin that will be mowed only once per year.  The buffer is to be seeded with a native seed mix.  The design of the basin included planting native wetland plants along the safety shelf and seeding the slopes with an upland prairie seed mix.  The purpose of this buffer area is two-fold.  The taller vegetation acts as a deterrent for geese preventing direct access from water to land, and it filters storm water runoff draining overland into the basin providing better water quality.  Acceptable maintenance of the upland prairie area would be to limit mowing to one time per year.  Section 8.06 of the Municipal Code prohibits the growth of natural lawns in non-agricultural land in excess of twelve inches in height unless the Council designates the property by resolution as a nature center or wildlife preserve.  

Fiscal Impact:  None.

Prepared by: Philip J. Beiermeister, P.E. Environmental Design Engineer	Respectfully submitted, Robert L. Kufrin City Administrator
Approved by: Wayne St. John, P.E. Director of Public Works	Fiscal Review by: Beverly A. Buretta, CMC City Clerk

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