2013.08.27 CC Minutes - Water Workshop

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MINUTES FOR THE HUGO CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP ON WATER CONSERVATION August 27, 2013 Mayor Weidt called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. PRESENT: Bronk, Haas, Klein (arrived at 8:15), Petryk, Weidt ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: City Administrator Bryan Bear, City Engineer Jay Kennedy, Finance Director Ron Otkin, and Community Development Intern Eric Maass Staff Presentation City Administrator Bryan Bear began the meeting by providing background information on previous water conservation discussions to remind the city council of past talking points. He also outlined the water workshop goals which included becoming more informed about city water usage, and establishing city water conservation goal statements. Bryan then turned the meeting over to Pete Willenbring of WSB Engineering. Mr. Willenbring gave a presentation to the council outlining pertinent technical information regarding surface water runoff and groundwater use in Hugo. The current regulatory environment set forth by they City's DNR permit allows for the City to use up to 650 million gallons per year. In 2012 the City pumped 425 million gallons. Of the 425 million gallons, 225 million gallons were used for irrigation. It was also found that of the 225 million gallons used for irrigation, 100 million gallons can be traced to specific irrigation accounts. Recent changes to the Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD) are now allowing for increased flexibility in the way we handle stormwater. The RCWD now allows for volume trading meaning that we can infiltrate in one area offsetting the infiltration need in another location. The one stipulation is that each must occur within the same watershed. The required infiltration rates for road construction/new impervious surface were also changed. The new requirements will now infiltrate approximately 80% of annual runoff from the first 1.1 inches from a storm event. He also brought forth for discussion the policy options that may be available for better management of our water resources. Options outlined included evaluating projects in the Stormwater CIP versus high irrigation users for implementation of water management techniques, as well as developing policy as part of a Comprehensive Stormwater Plan that would collaborate with DNR, RCWD, Met Council, and others for input and feedback. Council Discussion The Council thanked Mr. Willenbring for his presentation and requested further information pertaining to costs of implementation of stormwater management strategies, specifically the cost to begin using surface water sources, like Hardwood Creek and Clearwater Creek to meet irrigation needs. The Council agreed the main goal is to reduce, reuse, and replenish our water resources. To do so, the council agreed on a number of both short and long-term water conservation goals.