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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016.02.18 CC Minutes - NE Metro Water Summit MINUTES FOR THE HUGO CITY COUNCIL NORTHEAST METRO WATER SUMMIT THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 HUGO CITY HALL PRESENT: Hugo Mayor Tom Weidt Hugo Council Chuck Haas (via Skype) Hugo Council Phil Klein Hugo Council Mike Miron Hugo Council Becky Petryk Hugo City Administrator Bryan Bear Hugo City Clerk Michele Lindau Hugo Administrative Assistant Taylor Richter City of Blaine Storm Water Manager Jim Hafner Centerville Council D. Love Columbus Council Bill Krebs Columbus Planning Commission Jody Krebs Columbus Planning Commission Jesse Preiner Forest Lake Council Ben Winnick Forest Lake/ Scandia City Engineer Ryan Goodman Lino Lakes Environmental Coordinator Marty Asleson DNR Assistant Commissioner Barb Naramore DNR Ecological and Water Resources Jason Moeckel RCWD Board Member Pat Preiner RCWD Board Member Steve Wagamon RCWD Board Member John Waller RCWD Administrator Phil Belfiori MN Senator Roger Chamberlain MN House Rep Linda Runbeck MN House Rep Peter Fischer MN Legislative Water Commission Barb Huberty Met Council Sandy Rummel Met Council Environmental Services Leisa Thompson Met Council Environmental Services Ali Elhassan Scandia Council Chris Ness Washington County Water Planning Jessica Collin-Pilarski WSB Hugo City Engineer Jay Kennedy WSB Engineer Anneka Munsell WSB Engineer Erin Heydinger The Citizen Writer Debra Neutkens Mayor Weidt called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. Attendees of the meeting introduced themselves. City Administrator Bryan Bear provide a recap of the last meeting on July 16, 2015. Minutes for the NE Water Summit on February 18,2015 Page 2 of 4 Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Update DNR Assistant Commissioner Barb Naramore talked about the White Bear Lake settlement agreement, stating it was compatible with updates to the Water Supply Plan. They are receiving comments and implementing ideas. The DNR is working with communities individually on Comprehensive Plan updates. They are on target to set the protective Lake elevation by November 2016. Barb explained this is not a guarantee lake level, but negative threshold reports will alert the DNR to examine it and address concerns. The Ground Water Management plan was finalized in 2015 and she talked about SF 1910 and explained where things were left off stating she didn't expect any changes. Naramore provided information on the augmentation study saying cost estimates to augment from the Saint Paul Regional Water Services chain of lakes would cost between $55M and $67M with operational costs of$500-$660k annually. Phosphorus levels and other contaminants were of concern, and advanced treatments would increase the cost by$23-$40 million, with maintenance going to $900,00044M. The study made no assumption on who would construct or operate the system. Columbus Council Bill Krebs said it was unfair to expect taxpayers pay for augmentation of White Bear Lake. MN House Rep Peter Fischer stated that the models they are looking at right now show that the lake will eventually dry up. The White Bear Lake Conservation District would be responsible for operating the system. He said he felt the state should be responsible if it is shown that ground water pumping is part of the problem. RCWD Commissioner John Waller mentioned diverting JD #1 Ramsey County into White Bear Lake because 1/2 of the water currently flowing through it would provide the 2 billion gallons estimated for augmenting the lake. Naramore replied to Krebs comment saying that the DNR is doing what legislation has directed them to do. Senator Roger Chamberlain added that it is a legislative issue now. Representative Matt Dean stated that augmentation of White Bear Lake is not new, and he thought the cost estimates were high. Another study is being done by the residents on White Bear Lake Metropolitan Council Update Met Council Environmental Services Leisa Thompson talked about the Met Council's vision to keep more water in the region by reusing it, and she highlighted some water reuse projects related to wastewater effluent stating that 250 million gallons a day gets reclaimed. The Water Resources Plan highlights creating a reclamation plant for groundwater recharge in lieu of enlarging sewer pipes, and this would be needed by approximately the year 2030. It is being suggested reclaimed water could be used to augment White Bear Lake, except phosphorus and chlorides would be an issue, along with water temperature. Minutes for the NE Water Summit on February 18,2015 Page 3 of 4 Met Council Environmental Services Ali Elhassan gave an update on the USGS groundwater and surface water study, which started three years ago and is to give them a better understanding of lake levels versus groundwater. Field data has been collected. A model is being created to provide information to state agencies. Once the model is totally complete, they can run scenarios related to augmentation. Another study being done will identify the quantity of stormwater available in northeast Metro, as well as where are the best locations are for groundwater recharge. Twelve percent of the northeast Metro ground water is for industrial. Analysis of 100+industries showed that and 18 of them use 90% that, and they plan on targeting those industries. Elhassen also talked about the Metropolitan Council Water Efficiency Grant program for water reuse and conservation. There were 19 applications and 19 grants given. Grants are typically used for appliance replacements to conserve water. It was noted that the City of Hugo received a grant for$50,000, and Winona and the Minnesota Zoo have also received grants. They are looking to provide more grant funds in the next year and hope it will be an annual grant. Rice Creek Watershed District Update Rice Creek Watershed District Administrator Phil Belfiori highlighted water reuse projects, including Oneka Ridge Golf Course project, St. Anthony Central Park reuse, and Centerville Lamotte Pond reuse system. He provided a multitude of benefits related to these types of projects. Belfiori talked about the Stormwater Reuse Irrigation Assessment Tool saying they were developing it using Legacy Funds. The tool should be completed by the end of this year. The end result will be a "Top 10" list for preliminary technical evaluation and available for use statewide. The District was also looking at the permitting process with reuse in mind and a stormwater urban remediation program cost share program with an emphasis on reuse. They are also looking for other ways to further incentive reuse programs and working on feasibility assessment collaboration with the Met Council so that what Met Council is doing can be leveraged by RCWD. Discussion on Formalizing a Coalition Hugo City Administrator Bryan Bear talked about the benefits related to the I-35 W/E Coalition and asked if there was any interest in creating a similar group. Mayor Weidt requested that each City discuss the issue and come back to the next meeting with an opinion. Bear stated that Hugo will draft an agreement and email it to the all cities for consideration. Minutes for the NE Water Summit on February 18,2015 Page 4 of 4 Updates from Others The City of Lino Lakes is working on a reuse project . Forest Lake is participating in the rebate program using grant money. Scandia is working with some businesses on conservation efforts. The City of Hugo is moving ahead on the rebate program and on water reuse projects - Beaver Ponds Park, CSAH 8, and the Clearwater Cove development. The City of Columbus is working on some ditches and focusing on the bridge. Washington County is implementing their groundwater plan and grant programs. The Legislative Session begins on March 8, 2046 Adiournment Mayor Weidt adjourned the meeting at 8:47 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Michele Lindau City Clerk