01-23-2017 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL WORK SESSION January 3, 2017 DRAFT 3 4. Wetland/Natural Resource Restoration Revolving Fund Plan - Community 81 Development Director Grochala noted the City’s work in the area of Wollan Park with 82 the goal of establishing wetland credits. He briefly explained state requirements on the 83 replacement of wetlands. The Wollan Park project has resulted in credits owned by the 84 city which will be recognized by Minnesota Bureau of Water and Soil Resources 85 (BOWSR) and listed for use. The idea of having a city wetland credit bank is to use 86 credits first for city development and then as a funding source for future acquisition of 87 properties with high potential ecological value and restore them as part of the City’s 88 greenway system. Director Grochala suggested that it would be appropriate at this time 89 to put together an official policy for the use of the credits or funds and he recommends 90 that the city hire WSB & Associates to provide that information at the cost noted. 91 Council Member Manthey asked if having land banked helps with the city’s development 92 options. Director Grochala suggested that there could be value to developers having the 93 credits available and secondly it helps to have wetland replaced within the city and this 94 allows us to dictate that more so. Mayor Reinert asked where staff got the idea to use 95 this area for credits and Director Grochala remarked that Environmental Coordinator 96 Asleson initially identified the area as a possible wetland bank especially having 97 identified a number of special species in the area. 98 99 Mr. Grochala also updated the council on the work that is going on currently in the 100 Wollan Park area. Mayor Reinert asked what the wetland will look like finally and Mr. 101 Grochala said it will ultimately be a higher quality wetland with greater diversity of plant 102 life based on measurement. Mayor Reinert asked about the value of the park to the 103 residents of the city and Mr. Grochala said that there will be a trail eventually; this would 104 a passive park area with not much upland. Council Member Manthey recognized that 105 this is an early stage investment that will allow the city to utilize credits in the future and 106 then allow funding for other high priority uses. Mayo r Reinert asked about the 107 topography of the site and Director Grochala explained the wet nature of the land and the 108 challenge of planning any development there. 109 5. Council Updates on Boards/Commissions - 110 111 There were no updates on council activities on boards and commissions. 112 6. Monthly Progress Report – Administrator Karlson reviewed the written report. 113 114 Legion Parking Lot – Director Grochala noted that the American Legion is moving 115 forward on developing a plan to expand their parking and they have submitted plans to 116 the watershed district. He suggests that the City should begin it’s consideration of details 117 for sale of the property and he recommends that the council hold a closed session in the 118 future. Also since the watershed review includes a city signature, he wants the council to 119 be kept aware. Mayor Reinert suggested a closed session after the next council meeting. 120 121 Veterans Memorial – Administrator Karlson remarked that the last discussion resulted in 122