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VLAWMO Annual Report - 2007 <br />first year under the new structure, <br />adopting the new Water Plan, and <br />establishing Storm Sewer Utility <br />(SSU) required a number of <br />meetings. The previous Board had <br />worked on a Policy Manual, which <br />was accepted by the Board at its <br />regular meeting. Among other items, <br />it delegated the authority to utilize <br />budgeted funds for the purpose <br />indicated in the budget to the <br />Technical Commission. <br />The Technical Commission meets <br />monthly with Commissioners <br />appointed by each community. It <br />works with VLAWMO staff to <br />oversee ongoing programs and <br />projects. <br />FINALIZE AND ADOPT THE 3RD <br />GENERATION WATER PLAN <br />HDR Engineering, Inc. assisted <br />VLAWMO in finalizing the new Water <br />Management Plan. Meetings were <br />held in 2007 with the Board of <br />Commissioners and the MN Pollution <br />Control Agency. A response to final <br />comments was generated and sent <br />to all agencies or members of the <br />public who had provided comments. <br />Additional changes were made to the <br />Water Plan. These updates were <br />discussed at the first VLAWMO <br />educational Summit. The final Water <br />Plan was sent to BWSR in the fall. <br />VLAWMO appeared before toe <br />BWSR subcommittee and its Board <br />of Directors in December, receiving <br />approval. <br />The VLAWMO Board of Directors <br />adopted the Water Management <br />Plan December 19, 2007. <br />THE STORM SEWER UTILITY AS AN <br />ALTERNATIVE FUNDING SOURCE <br />The new VLAWMO Board of <br />Directors was presented with a <br />preliminary feasibility report on <br />implementing a Storm Sewer Utility <br />(SSU) as the major funding source <br />for the watershed. The Board <br />directed the second phase of <br />development to proceed. This <br />included amendments to the JPA to <br />be proposed to the member <br />communities, establish land use <br />classifications and attendant rates <br />based on the 2008 budget and <br />working with other affected agencies <br />including the counties. The City of <br />Vadnais Heights especially Jeanne <br />Vogt, Finance Director provided <br />essential and substantial assistance <br />in database development, logistical <br />details and trouble shooting. <br />Charles LeFevere guided legal <br />questions and the JPA amendment <br />language. Schilling Consulting <br />provided coordination help through <br />August 2007. <br />In September VLAWMO found it <br />would need to send out a first billing <br />if the 2008 budget were to be <br />collected. The Storm sewer utility <br />Rule was adopted by the Board in <br />October with the first billing to <br />roughly 10,000 property owners in <br />the watershed being sent October <br />31, 2008. Fees were due November <br />30. Eighty six percent of the 2008 <br />budget was received by the end of <br />the grace period, December 14th <br />Roughly 1400 delinquent fees were <br />certified to the counties. Ramsey <br />County accepted the certification and <br />included the delinquent fees on the <br />2008 property tax statements. <br />Anoka County still had questions that <br />will be resolved in 2008. There were <br />-7- <br />