04/13/1998 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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AGENDA ITEM 7F STAFF ORIGINATOR: David Ahrens, City Engineer /Public Works Director DATE: April 13, 1998 TOPIC: Resolution No. 98 53, Consideration of Approving Wetland Banking Credit Purchase Agreement BACKGROUND: The City is required to replace impacted wetlands as a result of the Highway 49/23 Intersection Project completed in spring, 1997. The wetland replacement was planned to be done by purchasing wetland banking credits from Anoka County and creating wetlands near the project site. The proposed County banked wetland site has not received approval from Rice Creek Watershed District and Board Water and Soil Resources thereby requiring the City to investigate other options. Staff discussed options with Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD) to fulfill its obligation to replace the impacted wetlands. Options' include using the natural resource inventory that the City will be undertaking this summer to identify sites within the City to create wetlands or purchase wetland banking credits from an approved site. The option of purchasing credits from an approved site was strongly favored by RCWD as it fulfills the City's obligation to replace the impacted wetlands more quickly (we are two years behind in replacing the wetlands). Staff was directed to a property owner in Columbus Township who has an approved wetland banking site. The attached Agreement was drafted by the City Attomey and the property owner's attorney. The Agreement states that the City will purchase 43,002 s. f. of banked wetland credits at $0.50 per s. f. or $21,501. The City assessed benefiting property owners $20,000 for wetland replacement and the extra $1,501 is recommended to be funded from the Surface Water Management Fund. OPTIONS: 1. Return to staff for additional review. 2. Not adopt Resolution No. 98 - 53 3. Adopt Resolution No. 98 53 approving a Wetland Banking Credit Purchase Agreement. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that Resolution No. 98 - 53.