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Home My WebLink About04/28/2004 Env Bd PacketCity of Lino Lakes Environmental Board Meeting April 28, 2004 6:30 p.m. (This meeting not televised) AGENDA 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: March 31, 2004 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA 4. OPEN MIKE 5. ACTION ITEMS A. None 6. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Comprehensive Water Plan B. Other Environmental Boards C. Peltier Lake Ordinance / Herons Update D. Earth Day Recap E. Recycle Day F. Other Discussion Items 7. OTHER DEPARTMENT REPORTS A. Forestry B. Solid Waste Recycling /Recycling Day C. Environmental 8. ADJOURN Lino Lakes Public Services Department 600 Town Center Parkway Lino Lakes, MN 55014 (651) 982 -2440 Fax (651) 982 -2439 www.ci.lino- iakes.mn.us April 19, 2004 TO: Mayor Bergeson and City Council Members FROM: Rick DeGardner, Public Services Director Tim Hillesheim, Utilities Supervisor SUBJECT: DNR Water Appropriations Issues As part of updating the City's Comprehensive Water Plan, a related issue that needs to be addressed is our annual water appropriations permits from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). To better understand this issue, we have summarized some basic points related to the permitting process. On an annual basis, the city completes an application to the DNR requesting a certain volume of water for consumption. The DNR then takes into account several factors such as historic growth, existing conservation measures, etc., to determine the city's permitted water volume. When cities exceed their approved water appropriation, the DNR fines the offending city based upon the amount of the overage. The city of Lino Lakes has exceeded the approved water appropriation the past several years. If left unchecked, the fines can become quite severe. There are several factors that the DNR takes into consideration when cities request a higher annual appropriation. The most significant issue is the cities existing conservation measures. The most common conservation measures are sprinkling bans and tiered water rates. Since Lino Lakes does not have any type of a sprinkling ban in place, our requests for additional appropriations have been denied. The same types of conservation measures are evaluated when the DNR reviews requests for additional well houses. A large percentage of the resident's water consumption is directly correlated to summer lawn sprinkling /irrigation. The table listed below summarizes the gallons of water consumed per quarter in 2003. Quarter 1 (typically Jan - Mar) is considered the Base • Consumption, or domestic use that is attributed to typical household needs since outdoor watering does not occur in the winter. QUARTER TOTAL CONSUMPTION (Gat) AVG CONSUMP /HOUSEHOLD 1st Quarter 2002 59,269,000 18,355 2 "d Quarter 2002 66,217,000 20,200 3m Quarter 2002 121,632,000 36,146 4th Quarter 2002 107,660,000 31,360 Total 2002 354,778,000 26,665 1st Quarter 2003 63,449,000 18,317 2 "d Quarter 2003 74,367;000 21,317 3rd Quarter 2003 185,594,000 52,309 4th Quarter 2003 190,205,000 53,071 Total 2003 513,615,000 36,406 Historically, Lino Lakes has had the luxury of being able to meet the peak consumption demands of residents without imposing formal restrictions. The dry conditions we experienced last year put an extreme burden on our water supply system. Peak water demand exceeded production throughout the summer months while overnight demand allowed tower levels to only slightly recover. We are also at the point of potentially comprising our public safety and fire protection capabilities. For example, the Insurance Services Organization recommends that our system be capable of a sustained flow of 3,500 gpm for a four -hour duration. The ability of our system to meet this criterion while also supplying peak domestic demand is doubtful. For the reasons explained above, as well as the philosophy that the city of Lino Lakes should be environmentally responsible to conserve our precious resources, staff is recommending that a sprinkling ban be implemented. The proposed ordinance implements an odd /even sprinkling ban from May 15 - September 15. The City Administrator will also have the authority to further restrict the sprinkling of lawns as needed when an extreme water shortage exists. The first violation shall result in a $25 citation, and a $50 subsequent violation to those individuals who repeat violations within the same calendar year The adoption of seasonal watering restrictions is a necessary and reasonable measure to control water consumption during periods of peak demand. A sprinkling ban with reasonable enforcement will put us in a better position to increase our annual water appropriations. Also, A sprinkling ban with reasonable enforcement will delay the need for additional well houses that are very costly to build and maintain. In order to be allowed to increase our water appropriations and build additional well houses, a sprinkling ban needs to be implemented. A sprinkling ban is commonplace throughout the metro area. The proposed ban is not as restrictive as other communities such as Centerville. Assuming the City Council is comfortable with staffs recommendation, we will begin an informational campaign to inform our residents of the new ordinance (ie, city newsletter, flyer in water bills, Quad, etc.). 4/19/2004 RD/Utilities/ 2004 DNR issues bLSo\J rem, toE Afton Birchwood Blaine Burnsville Champlin Chanhassen Cottage Grove Crystal Eden Prairie Fridley Golden Valley Ham Lake Hastings Inver Grove Heights Mankato Minneapolis Mound New Brighton North St. Paul Northfield Oak Park Heights Oakdale Plymouth Prior Lake Ramsey Shakopee Shoreview Winona Woodbury 3/20/2004 Park, Recreation & Open Space Commission Park & Open Space Board Committee Natural Resources Conservation Board Parks & Natural Resources Commission Environmental Resources Commission Environmental Commission Parks, Rec & Natural Resources Environmental Quality Advisory Commission Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources Commission Environmental Quality and Energy Commission Environmental Commission Park and Tree Commission Natural Resources & Recreation Commission Environmental Commission Environmental Committee Citizen Environmental Advisory Committee Park and Open Space Advisory Commission Parks, Recreation & Environmental Commission Environmental Advisory Commission Environmental Quality Commission Garden Committee? Environmental Management Commission Environmental Quality Board Lake Advisory Committee Environmental Policy Task Force Environmental Advisory Committee Environmental Quality Committee Citizens Environmental Quality Committee Environmental Education Commission Source: www.statelocalgov.net /state- mn.htm #city •