Willmar water supply of ‘biggest’ concern among residents talking about land sale – West Central Tribune

WILLMAR – Willmar residents who spoke Monday, April 15, at the Willmar City Council public hearing on the sale of 5.54 acres of parkland to Cura for a senior living development made clear that the proposed development could threaten the city’s future water supply to obstruct.

About 26 people attended the public hearing, with 13 expressing concerns. In addition to their concerns about the city’s future water supply, which everyone agreed was the most important concern, they did not want the city to sell off parks.

The council opened a public hearing on April 15, but no action was taken. The hearing will continue at the regular council meeting on May 20, when it is hoped the ordinance language for the sale of the park will be ready for council consideration.

The park is located south of Willmar Avenue Southwest between the two trails in the southern Swansson Field Recreation Complex. Cura, a Paynesville-based nonprofit, is proposing construction of a three-story senior living facility with 80 to 120 units, according to the description in city documents.

The southern Swansson Field Recreation Complex is also the site of the southwestern Willmar well field, one of the few locations in the city identified through research to provide the amount of water needed in the future as the city continues to grow. .

Willmar Municipal Utilities shared its concerns about the development on March 6 by providing a memo to the Willmar Planning Commission, essentially stating that the proposed development and a proposed stormwater pond to be built in conjunction with the project would prevent future well development could hinder. place.

“Concerns about the size, depth and location of the proposed stormwater pond were raised by our partner agencies in early 2024,” City Manager Leslie Valiant said as she introduced the agenda item at the public hearing. “We share the same priority as WMU, which is to protect our water supply and maintain wells in the southwestern part of the city.”

Eight potential wells or test wells have been identified in the southern Swansson Field Recreation Complex, two of which have been developed in the northwest corner of the complex and produce water for the city.

Contributed / Willmar Municipal Utilities

One of the test wells has become a monitoring well with which the safety and volume of water from the aquifer can be tested and can be developed into a working well in the future. As development progresses, this well will require an easement because it is within the 5.54 acres.

According to Willmar Municipal Utilities, another test well site in the southwest corner of the complex has been abandoned due to a stormwater pond constructed by the city.

Another test well would have to be abandoned as development progresses, as it is located within the 5.54 acres the city plans to sell, leaving a total of three other test wells that could be developed into working wells as development progresses.

Noting that Willmar Municipal Utilities and the city have agreed to provide a comprehensive analysis of the site at a future public meeting, Valiant said, “We are committed to working with our engineers, Willmar Municipal Utilities, Minnesota Department of Health, as well as WMU’s resource consultant, Carlson McCain.”

Carlson McCain and the Minnesota Department of Health have both filed memos with Willmar Municipal Utilities warning of development within the well field. The letter from the Department of Health also discusses any state statutes and regulations that the city must adhere to as development moves forward.

“I’m not in favor of anyone building in the park for many reasons,” said Doug Gilles. “Our drinking water is especially important. I don’t want to take any risks with our valuable drinking water. … We have an easy ‘no’: saving a water source.”

Gilles also questioned the need for additional stormwater management in the area when the park acts as a natural retention and infiltration area for stormwater during rainstorms.

Macy Moore / West Central Tribune

“I want me, my family and the community to have access to clean drinking water and water for bathing and cooking,” says Megan Gilles. “You shouldn’t mess with the water supply. There is no doubt about that.”

She also found that the park provides natural retention and infiltration.

“Adding hard surfaces to a space that should absorb water is not a plan,” she said. “And no one wants a park complex that is completely filled with stormwater retention ponds. Everywhere you look you want to see a rainwater retention pond? Let it be grass, let it grow.”

Joe Ridler shared his concerns that the city is considering selling the land to help fund stormwater improvements needed in the area.

“It sounds like you’re trying to get some of the money from the sale and solve some of your other stormwater problems,” he said. ‘That’s not right, you’re betraying us. Water is a problem. You just sold land to Jennie-O. They grow, they will need more. They use a lot of water. Think about that.”

The council received one public comment via a letter from Mary Ann Clements, who stated, “Our biggest concern should be our ability to produce clean water. That well field is an absolute treasure and we should not let anyone take it away from us. … If you sell that water field, I won’t vote for any of you in the future.”