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17. Drainage Concerns and Recommendations Objective: To research and develop a policy to understand and address neighborhood drainage complaints, concerns, and corrections and to develop a standardized response to these issues. With incremental development and redevelopment throughout the years drainage issues arise and are expressed to City staff on an ongoing basis. In some cases a simple solution can be formulated to help gate the drainage issue. In other cases a signant amount of resources and effort must be employed to address the issue. Setting a precedent for public dollars and staff time expended to resolve drainage issues within the City is a vital concern and a policy needs to be put in place to better respond to the increasin•g requests. Key Staff.- Jay Hartman, Director of Public Works and Todd Hubmer, City Engineer (St. Anthony) 18. Recreational Fires in an Urban Setting Objective: To study and prepare recommendations pertaining to recreational outdoor fires (i.e. fire pits and smokers) within the City limits, specifically on residentially zoned property. Urbanized areas have large populations and they typically have higher densities and make fire problems in urban areas worthy of separate study. Some studies have found that fires that occurred outdoors were the most common type of urban fire reported when compared to structure or vehicle or "other" fires. In addition to the fire safety aspects of outdoor fire pits and smokers the effects urban fires and associated smoke can have on the environment and the neighborhoods is an increasingly discussed topic. Some communities throughout the metropolitan area have put enhanced Fire Codes in place to address this and related issues. Further analysis is needed to determine the environmental and social benefits and downfalls of limiting recreational fires Key Staff.- Mark Sitarz, Fire Chief and Kelsey Johnson, City Planner (St. Anthon Bart Fischer, City Administrator (Falcon Heights) Heather Butkowski, City Administrator (Lauderdale) 19. Urban Farming vi I Objective: To research and make recommendations for allowing to urban farming and local food production and A X consumption in residential areas. Many communities throughout the metropolitan area have recognized the benefits that come from removing regulatory barriers to urban agriculture and increasing access to locally grown food. The keeping of animals (i.e. chickens and bees) has also been recognized as a desire by communities for many of the same reasons. With more flexibility to conduct these types of "farming" practices in an urban setting also brings many concerns over noise, aesthetics, and other regulations. Further analysis and recommendations are desired to consider the allowance for sustainable landscaping and food production (i.e. community gardens and farmer's markets). Alternatively, a study on the impacts to the health of the animals is desired. How many chickens are too many chickens on one lot? Do the animals need a certain sized area to live in a healthy manner? What is the threshold for residents conducting urban