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1 <br />WS – Item 1 <br />WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT <br />Work Session Item 1 <br /> <br />Date: June 3, 2013 <br /> <br />To: City Council <br /> <br />From: Michael Grochala <br /> <br />Re: Rice Creek Watershed District – Consent to Drainage Proceedings Under Watershed Law <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Background <br /> <br />The Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD ) is the ditch authority for County/Judicial Ditches within the <br />district. The RCWD has been working systematically to repair and maintain the ditch system. The <br />District recently began work on the 10 -22 -32 system th at provides drainage to th e northwest quadrant of <br />the City. <br /> <br />Under state law the Rice Creek Watershed District may undertake proceedings related to the drainage <br />system in accordance with the Watershed Law (Minnesota Statute Chapter 103D) rather than the <br />Drainage Code (Minnesota S tatutes Chapter 103E) subject to concurrence by the city council where the <br />system is located. This alternative authority was created by the state legislature to simplify the <br />improvement and repair process to more adequately and economically improve and re pair drainage <br />systems in the metropolitan area. <br /> <br />In 2011, the City passed Resolution No. 11 -35, cons enting to the use of this authority for the 10 - <br />22 -32 Ditch system. The RCWD is now requesting City consideration of a resolution consenting to <br />their propos al to use the watershed law authority to finance the repairs on the remaining ditch systems in <br />the City. If they do not get concurrence from each of the City’s, they are forced to stay within the narrow <br />confines of the Drainage Code . <br /> <br />C oncurrence with t he use of alternative authority is not an endorsement of any project. A separate legally <br />established procedure is required for any future project. <br /> <br />Representatives of the RCWD will be present at the work session to discuss the request. <br /> <br />Requested Council Direction <br /> <br />Staf f is requesting council consideration to place the RCWD request and attached draft resolution on a <br />future city council meeting agenda. <br /> <br />Attachments <br /> <br />1. Draft Resolution No. 1 3 -XX <br />2. Minn. Statutes 103D .621