03/05/2007 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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• • CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION March 5, 2007 APPROVED 90 ANOKA COUNTY REQUEST FOR LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR 91 NORTHERLY BYPASS 92 93 Community Development Director Grochala distributed a draft letter addressed to U.S. 94 Representative Michele Bachmann expressing the City's support for appropriation 95 consideration for the County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 14 Northerly Bypass. A 96 funding request for the project has been submitted by Anoka County. The project 97 would require an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) due to the area's very 98 environmentally sensitive nature (Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park). The 99 project is part of a long-term view. 100 101 The council concurred with sending the letter. 102 103 VLAWMO JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT 104 105 Administrator Heitke explained that a concern was raised by the state board that 106 oversees water management, the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources 107 (BWSR), specifically in regard to annual budgeting and project approval. They want 108 the VLAWMO budget to be authorized by a majority vote of the VLAWMO Board. 109 Administrator Heitke provided the council with an e-mail communication from City 110 Attorney Hawkins communicating his opinion on the question of the council 111 authorizing contribution of city funds that will be controlled by a board of directors 112 (VLAWMO) under the joint powers agreement. He has opined that the council has the 113 ability to delegate authority to the board under the current city charter. Also it has been 114 confirmed with VLAWMO that each member community does approve the budget. The 115 question remains and will be clarified regarding BWSR's authority. There is also a link 116 to the water plan in that BWSR could say that they cannot implement that statutory 117 required plan if the budget for it is vetoed by a member community. 118 119 Council Member Carlson is a VLAWMO board member and indicated that, with the 120 concurrence of the council, she will be supporting the original, more restrictive city 121 agreement. Meetings will be held with cities on outstanding issues. 122 123 2007 GOAL SETTING SESSION 124 125 Administrator Heitke noted that the council regularly establishes its annual goals early 126 in the calendar year. He proposed an afternoon session be held on March 28 or 29 and 127 anticipates the session will be a continuing discussion of last year's goals. 128 129 The council members present agreed to meet on March 28 at 1:00 p.m. in the city hall 130 community room. 131