Title
Resolution Pertaining to Argo Dam
Body
Whereas, The City of Ann Arbor has for years owned and maintained several dams along the Huron River;
 
Whereas, Studies of the Huron River have raised the question of the need to manage the river and each of the impoundments created by these dams;  
 
Whereas, The Argo Dam and Argo Pond have recently become the focal point for considerable discussion about the "pros and cons" of keeping the Argo Dam in place;
 
Whereas, The Ann Arbor community enjoys many recreational opportunities and environmental attributes created by the existence of Argo Pond within the Huron River system;
 
Whereas, The Argo Dam includes several structural features, including the "headrace embankment", which has drawn the concern of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) for safety reasons related to the adequacy of toe-drains which are designed to drain seepage from the headrace;
 
Whereas, Repairs to the headrace could be completed for a small fraction of the cost of removing the entire dam; and
 
Whereas, the best interests of the Ann Arbor community will be served by preserving the Argo Dam and all the amenities associated with the dam,
 
RESOLVED, The Ann Arbor City Council declares its intent to maintain the Argo Dam and Argo Pond and directs the City Administrator to develop specific strategies to mitigate any infrastructure deficiencies with the headrace embankment to satisfy the MDEQ's requirements, and to take actions in support of this declared intent, including identifying a timetable and necessary funding sources to support the work.      
 
Sponsored by:  Councilmembers Marcia Higgins, Stephen Rapundalo, Sandi Smith