2015-045 Council Resolution - Laserfiche WebLink

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• • • CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM 6A STAFF ORIGINATOR: Michael Grochala MEETING DATE: April 27, 2015 TOPIC: Resolution No. 15-45, Granting Wetland and Buffer Easement to RCWD and Approving Wetland Buffer Maintenance Agreement, Lino Lakes Fire Station VOTE REQUIRED: 3/5 INTRODUCTION Staff is requesting City Council approval to grant a wetland and buffer easement to the Rice Creek Watershed District along with authorization to enter into a wetland buffer maintenance agreement with the District. BACKGROUND The Lino Lakes Fire Station property includes wetlands located within a Wetland Management Corridor (WMC) as established in the Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD) rules. The proposed project avoids wetland impacts with the exception of access points off of Centerville Road and Birch Street. The City has two permit applications currently being reviewed by the RCWD. The Final Site Drainage Permit was approved by the RCWD on Wednesday, April 22 with conditions. Staff is anticipating that the second permit, which is for the turn lane improvements and wetland alteration, will be considered by the RCWD board of Managers in May. The Wetland Alteration permit is necessary to connect the internal roadway to Birch Street and Centerville Road. Emergency vehicle access directly to Birch Street is provided by a third access. One of the conditions, in accordance with district rules, requires the dedication of an easement over the wetlands and surrounding buffer as well as execution of a buffer maintenance agreement. The easement preserves the wetland area and provides the RCWD with the right to enter the easement area to monitor, modify and maintain hydrological and vegetative conditions. The City has included a provision to allow roadway access across the western most wetland upon approval of the wetland alteration permit. The RCWD is reviewing this language and it is subject to modification. Any proposed changes will be addressed at the City Council meeting. The associated buffer maintenance agreement addresses ongoing maintenance requirements within the buffer area. Essentially, as is common practice, the buffer area will be maintained by the City in a natural state.