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Item No : 05B <br />Meeting Date: Nov 4, 2020 <br />Type of Business: Planning Case <br />Planning Case: _____ <br />City of Mounds View Staff Report <br />To: Planning Commission <br />From: Jon Sevald, Community Development Director <br />Item Title/Subject: Resolution 1123-20, Recommending Approval of Ordinance 973, <br />Amending Chapter 1130 of the Mounds View Municipal Code Adopting <br />Certain Rules of the Rice Creek Watershed District Regarding <br />Stormwater Management <br /> <br /> <br />Introduction: <br />Storm water management is administered by the Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD)1. Construction <br />projects meeting a certain threshold must obtain a permit from RCWD. In recent years, the City has <br />experienced some frustrations with RCWD’s administration and inspections of projects. The City is <br />proposing to take this responsibility over from RCWD. If approved, the City’s regulations would mirror <br />that of RCWD. The primary difference would be in inspections and enforcement, including streamlining <br />application, review, and inspections processes. Currently, there is some duplication between RCWD and <br />the City. <br /> <br />Discussion: <br />The Minnesota Legislature adopted the Watershed Act in 1955 to protect, control, and improve <br />waterways and water supplies. Watershed districts were formed according to hydrological boundaries, <br />as opposed to political boundaries. The Rice Creek Watershed District was formed in 1972 across <br />portions of Anoka, Hennepin, Ramsey, and Washington counties, including 28 cities and townships. <br />RCWD is governed by a five-member Board of Managers, appointed by the counties. Mounds View has <br />been fortunate in that it has had a resident on the Board for many years; (Barbara Haake; 1994-2019, <br />and Marcie Weinandt; 2020-2023). <br /> <br />Rice Creek Watershed District has adopted a set of rules (Rules A thru L), similar to ordinances. The City <br />intends to adopt Rules C, D, E, and F by reference in the City Code. The City will enter into a <br />Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with RCWD, for the City to administer these Rules, including <br />permit review, inspections, and enforcement. <br /> <br />Permit review, inspections, and enforcement will be administered through the Public Works <br />Department, in part thru contracting with Stantec (City Engineer) for plan review. <br /> <br />The cities of Circle Pines and Hugo have taken similar action. Other cities have shown some interest in <br />the same. <br /> <br />RCWD Rules (summary): <br /> <br />Rule C: A Storm Water Management Plan is required for the subdivision of land, one-acre or <br />larger, or construction of 10,000 sq ft or more of impervious surface area. There are <br />exceptions, including smaller residential subdivisions that do not create new streets. <br />Rule C is applicable to the number of stormwater infiltration basins the City was <br />required to create as part of the street reconstruction program. <br /> <br />1 `The Watershed Act was adopted in 1955, establishing watershed districts with the purpose of alleviating flood <br />damage, improving drainage and irrigation, controlling erosion , conserve water supplies, disposal of waste waters, <br />provide for hydroelectric power, enhance water quality, and protect ground water.