07-28-1983 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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15 July 1983 Page Two • Planning Assistance Report: Council to complete this report by October 1, 1983. To provide graphic models relating to water quality. Also, to contain information on Management practices to deal with runoff volume and quality. • Seminars: one on runoff and one on lakes. To be held during the first quarter of 1984. o Staff time will be available to answer questions from local governments or watershed organizations. Contacts: Marcel Joseau at 291 -6402, Dick Osgood and Gary Oberts. The second speaker was Mel Sinn, Executive Director of the Water Resource Board. A brief discussion of the role of the Water Resource Board was first priority. The Board is the regulating agency for the Chapter 509 legislation. They will serve to review watershed boundaries and to approve or disapprove plans as to their conformance with the law. (Approval must also be granted from the DNR and PCA.) In addition, the Water Resource Board will serve as a liaison between counties or cities to resolve conflicts regarding capital improvements which may or may not be necessary. The third speaker was an attorney from Pophan, Haik, Schnobrich, Kaufman & Doty, Ltd. Emphasis was placed on the legal aspects of Chapter 509. The most significant clause in the law is an unlimited taxing authority. This allows considerable freedom for the possibilities of capital improve- ments, however, close monitoring of political risks should be considered. Since Little Canada is an "upstream" community, few major capital improve- ments will be necessary. Emphasis should be placed on utilizing natural holding ponds (i.e. - marshes and bogs). However, funding for downstream improvements may be levied district -wide if approved in the watershed manage- ment plan. In other words, Little Canada residents may be taxed for improvements they will recieve no benefit from. To protect the interests of the City, consideration should be made to nominate a representative from Little Canada for the Ramsey- Washington Metro Watershed District Board. The final speaker was Charles Honchell, Public Works Director for the City of Roseville. His background was in the pros and cons of watershed districts vs. joint powers agreements. Again, since Little Canada is already partici- pating in a watershed district, much of this information does not pertain to the City's situation. However, in analyzing these pros and cons we can better understand the potential of the WMO and evaluate the impact Little Canada may desire in the formation of the watershed management plan. Following is a list of check points provided by Mr. Honchell which evaluate the watershed district. yr