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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015.01.29 CC Minutes - NE Metro Water Summit MINUTES FOR THE HUGO CITY COUNCIL NORTHEAST METRO WATER SUMMIT ON THURSDAY.JANUARY 29.2015 HUGO CITY HALL PRESENT: Haas(via Skype), Klein, Miron, Petryk, Weidt ABSENT:None ALSO PRESENT: Hugo: City Administrator Bryan Bear,City Clerk Michele Lindau,City Engineer Jay Kennedy, Community Development Intern Rachel Leitz Centerville: Tom Wilharber, Mayor Mike Erikson,City Administrator Circle Pines: Matt Percy,Council Member Columbus: Dave Povolny, Mayor Bill Krebs,Council Member Jody Krebs,Columbus Citizen Mark Daly,Council Member Forest Lake: Ben Winnick,Council Member Aaron Parrish,City Administrator Lino Lakes: Mike Grochala,CD Director Scandia: Chris Ness,Council Member Kristina Handt,City Administrator Phil Belfiori, RCWD Admin. Roger Chamberlain, MN Senator(38) Fran Miron,Washington County Sandy Rummel,Met Council District 11 Rep. Linda Runbeck,MN House Rep, (38A) Zach Freimark,Emmer's District Rep. Steve Wagamon,RCWD Dave Brummel,Washington County Harry Melander, Met Council Leisa Thompson, Met Council Pat Preiner, RCWD Ryan Goodman, Forest Lake/Scandia City Eng. Debra Neutkens, The Citizen Tim Kieffer, Scandia Call to Order and Introductions Mayor Weidt called the meeting to order and the attendees to introduce themselves. Undate on the White Bear Lake Settlement Agreement Bryan Bear,Hugo City Administrator,provided an update on the White Bear Settlement Agreement. This settlement agreement puts a hold on the lawsuit between the White Bear Lake Restoration Association and the State of MN DNR. The lawsuit claims that the DNR has violated the Minnesota Environmental Rights Act(MERA)by allowing thirteen local communities to use groundwater for their public water supply,thus resulting in the decline in water levels of White Bear Lake. Bryan explained the terms of the agreement include DNR support of the Northeast Metro Project to switch from ground water to surface water sources, with the cost to be equitably allocated among the communities in the Groundwater Management Area(GWMA). The project is in two phases with Hugo being in Phase 2 along with Centerville,Circle Pines,Columbus, Forest Lake, Lino Lakes,and Scandia. Other terms of the lawsuit require the DNR to set a protective elevation for White Bear Lake,conservation measures to reduce water use by 17%, metering of private wells, and plaintiff involvement in the review of appropriations permits.The presentation included background information,the lawsuit,the settlement agreement, consequences, and alternatives. City Administrator Bear presented six alternatives for consideration: do nothing,have a big picture regional discussion,rethink city water management policies,pump water from Centerville Lake,relocate the offending wells,or connect St. Paul water to themselves. Discussion on the White Bear Lake Settlement Agreement It was discussed that the settlement agreement has bound all of the 1"and 2"d phase cities together and a collaborative effort needs to be made in going forward in handling the implications of the White Bear Lake Settlement Agreement. The cities want to have say over their own communities and do not want to be led by another entity. It was said that water is a resource we are all sharing and it is incumbent on community to come together and force smarter solutions. In saying this,they do not believe that systems need to be completely changed to surface water systems and want to find a better plan. Cities do not believe we are in a crisis,but agree that resolutions need to be made to plan for the future. The Met Council expressed that they are there to help with finding these solutions,especially in executing studies and providing data. Fran Miron,Washington County,handed out a resolution from Washington County. This resolution stated that Washington County adopted the Washington County Groundwater Plan 2014-2024 in September of 2014. This plan aims to monitor the outcome of the DNR lawsuit and evaluate how the fmal disposition will impact groundwater management decisions in the County. It states that Washington County does not support the White Bear Lake Settlement Agreement and gives a list of reasons for this opinion. Conclusion City staff and attendees discussed their desire to talk about some alternatives to the White Bear Lake Settlement Agreement at a future meeting. It was agreed a resolution needed to be drafted and passed by all cities. Further meetings will be scheduled. The Mayor thanked everyone for coming. Adjournment Mayor Weidt adjourned the meeting.