2004-172 Council Resolution - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Search

• • AGENDA ITEM 6A STAFF ORIGNINATOR: Gordon Heitke, City Administrator MEETING DATE: November 8, 2004 TOPIC: VOTE REQUIRED: 3/5 BACKGROUND Resolution No. 04 -172 Approving a One -Year Extension to the Joint Powers Agreement for Vadnais Lake Area Water Management Organization The Vadnais Lake Area Water Management Organization ( VLAWMO) was established in 1983 to meet the requirements of the Metropolitan Surface Water Management Act and consists of six cities and the St. Paul Water Utility. VLAWMO acts as the Local Government Unit (LGU) in the administration of the Wetland Conservation Act for the six cities and promotes preservation of natural surface and groundwater systems. Since its inception in 1983, the organization has reviewed development plans to ensure compliance with the Wetland Conservation Act, promoted public education programs, sponsored ongoing water quality testing programs and worked with other agencies to resolve wetland impact issues. The current Joint Powers Agreement, which authorizes VLAWMO to act for the six cities and St. Paul Water Utility, is set to expire on January 1, 2005. In the past, the members have extended the Joint Powers Agreement by five years each time it expired, but VLAWMO is requesting that each member consider authorizing the extension for only one year at this time. The reason for the one -year extension is that the VLAWMO Board is reviewing possible alternatives for the future and the one -year extension would allow time for study and formulation of a recommendation for future operation. Since many of the functions performed by VLAWMO are also accomplished by cities directly or by adjoining Watershed Districts, it may be advisable to combine VLAWMO with one of the adjoining Watershed Districts (Rice Creek Watershed District or Ramsey Washington Metro Watershed District). By combining watershed organizations there may be financial as well as service advantages. The VLAWMO is requesting that the City Council authorize extension of the Joint Powers Agreement to January 1, 2006. Jeff McDowell, Lino Lakes representative on the VLAWMO Board, will be present to discuss this extension and briefly discuss the issue of possibly merging with another watershed organization. VLAWMO and the cities will need to review various legislative requirements and determine the best way to meet obligations mandated by State and Federal statutes in the future. RECOMMENDATION Staff is recommending the approval of Resolution No. 04 -172. ATTACHMENTS 1. Resolution No. 04 -172.