HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013.08.27 CC Minutes - Water WorkshopMINUTES 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.
Hugo City Council Minutes for August 27, 2013 Water Conservation Workshop
Page 2 of 2
• Concentrate on retrofit of HOAs which have the highest documented usage of water for
irrigation.
• Create future development guidelines which ensure any new development is completed in
such a way as to reduce the stormwater generated as well as reuse any stormwater that is
generated.
• Incentivize homeowner water stewardship by providing funding mechanisms to make
purchasing of water efficient shower heads, toilets, washing machines, etc more
affordable.
• Incentivize the purchase of personal stormwater storage mechanisms like rain barrels for
homeowner usage.
• Evaluate rate charges for water usage so that large water consumers are paying a higher
percentage of the water costs than the users who use water at lesser rates.
Direction to Staff
Council directed staff to gather more information and schedule another meeting in 6-8 weeks.
Klein made motion, Bronk seconded, to adjourn at 8:34 p.m.
All Ayes. Motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
Eric Maass
Community Development Intern