09/06/2006 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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• • • JM: expressed concern over draft language that considers the budget (operating or CIP) to be approved by JPA member if they do not respond in 60 days. It may not be legally binding. TW noted that timing is becoming critical. He offered to review and offer language in the 'governance' section (Sec. 4: Powers & Duties of the Board). PE said the formula does need to be in the JPA. He referenced the checklist of requirements BWSR looks at when reviewing Joint Powers Agreements. Timeline established: • August 23: all comments due on the JPA. Send them to the VLAWMO office. Now is the time to comment, if there is something you can or cannot live with. All comments received will be distributed to all of the other JPA members. ♦ September first half): JPA Meeting to consider comments / alternative JPA language • November r: Final JPA language deadline. JPA distributed to membership for authorization in November or December. i. The new JPA language recommends either the primary commissioner or the alternate be an elected official to provide fiscal oversight (JPA, Sec. III, subd. 2). It DOES NOT require elected officials serve on the VLAWMO board. ii. However, the JPA again recommends that the `elected' board member, if there is one, attend at least the annual meeting and the meeting where the annual budget will be discussed (JPA, Sec. III, subd. 9). b. The Technical Advisory Committee would advise on project & program efforts, review project & operational budgets and other efforts (city engineers, BWC engineers, etc). c. The Citizens Advisory Committee could work with specific program areas [e.g. education, strategic lake planning, monitoring, etc.] and could include the volunteer lake monitors, Birch Lake Improvement District, & others. d. The draft JPA continues the current practice of disallowing any compensation of Commissioners by VLAWMO, no stipend or per -diem. This does not keep the appointing body from providing some compensation. There has been discussion that an annual stipend might mitigate Commissioner expenses involved in driving, lost work hours, etc. There is precedent in other watersheds. Should this be changed? e. The VLAWMO Board changed the regular meeting time to evenings to allow for those with daytime jobs better access to regular board meetings. 2. Annual Budget Process a. Income options are expanded to allow for levy or stormwater utility fees. b. The VLAWMO budget is broken in to operations (0) and capital improvement project (CIP) expense, with slightly different approval processes. JPA members have 60 days from June 1st to review and approve both budgets. NO comment constitutes approval. CIP budget elements may be funded through Storm Water Utility Fees (if legal opinion says we can use it or our name is added to list of agencies who can do this — legislatively) or by assessing a specific subwatershed if we receive levy authority. Communities within an affected area would have the opportunity to review and approve.