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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015.07.16 CC Minutes - NE Metro Water Summit MINUTES FOR THE HUGO CITY COUNCIL NORTHEAST METRO WATER SUMMIT ON THURSDAY.JULY 16.2015 HUGO CITY HALL PRESENT: Haas, Klein, Miron, Petryk,Weidt ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: Hugo City Administrator Bryan Bear Hugo City Clerk Michele Lindau Hugo City Engineer Jay Kennedy Hugo Community Development Intern Rachel Leitz Centerville Mayor Tom Wilharber Centerville City Administrator Mike Erikson Columbus Council Bill Krebs Columbus Planning Commission Jody Krebs Columbus Planning Commission Jesse Preiner Forest Lake Council Ben Winnick Forest Lake City Administrator Aaron Parrish Forest Lake/Scandia City Engineer Ryan Goodman Lino Lakes Mayor Jeff Reinert Lino Lakes Council Dave Roeser Lino Lakes Environmental Coordinator Marty Asleson DNR Julie Ekman DNR Barb Naramore RCWD Mike Bradley RCWD Barb Haake RCWD John Waller RCWD Administrator Phil Belfiori RCWD Pat Preiner RCWD Citizens Advisory Committee Mary Sue Simmons MN Senator Roger Chamberlain MN House Rep Linda Runbeck Washington County Commissioner Fran Miron Washington County Dave Brummel Met Council Sandy Rummel Met Council Sam Paske The Citizen Writer Debra Neutkens Call to Order.Moment of Silence.Introductions Mayor Weidt called the meeting to order and 7:08 p.m.,and called for a moment of silence in honor of the three members of the Minnesota National Guard's 34th Infantry Division who lost their lives six years ago in Iraq,and the four Marines who were shot on base on this day in Tennessee. Attendees of the meeting introduced themselves. Updates on the April 9.2015 Water Summit and 2015 Legislation City Administrator Bryan Bear provided in update on the last Water Summit held on April 9, 2015 and the outcome of the recent legislative session. Metropolitan Council Discussion Sandy Rummel and Sam Paske from the Met Council talked about the Master Water Supply Plan and the Metropolitan Area Water Supply Advisory Committee(MAWSAC), and they assured the group that they have no interest in,or ability to,take over water supply systems from communities. They talked about the changes due to recent legislation and stated they were receiving good feedback from communities and were happy with the Technical Advisory Committee. A draft of the Plan was on their website,and there will be more public meetings held. It was explained that the local water supply plan is part of the Comprehensive Plan process. Sewer interceptors direct growth,as does water,but water needs to be addressed on a regional level, since water does not have geographical lines. It was said that the DNR and Metropolitan Council need to work together. Also talked about were grant opportunities from the Met Council for projects that are regional and good examples of sustainability and long term stewardship. It was stated that all cities needed to have this information and circulate it. The Met Council stated they would supply it and would also like to present some information in the plan. They informed the group that there was a stormwater reuse toolkit online. MN DNR Discussion Barb Naramore and Julie Ekman from the DNR talked about the Groundwater Management Area planning process. It was stated that new statute directs the DNR to work with a range of stakeholders,and there was a question on how to define"negative impact". They explained that the GWMA was a valuable planning tool, and they appreciated everyone's comments that have resulted in important changes. The plan was almost ready for signature. It was noted by City staff that the plan will get approved because it has to,due to the White Bear Lake settlement agreement. Many acknowledged that cities are frustrated and cautious about what the DNR is doing, fearing the DNR was trying to take away local control. It was asked if the DNR had funds available to cities,and the DNR stated they did not but a small part of the settlement agreement is committed to support efforts on water reuse and recharge,and state funding may be available for communities in those areas. A Hugo Council Member stated that the DNR can help cities by not costing them money. The Bald Eagle Lake dam project was referred to,and the DNR was asked to assist Hugo in their pending application. White Bear Lake Settlement Agreement Discussion City Administrator Bryan Bear talked about the WBL Settlement Agreement and referred to an article in The Citizen stating it was very well written. Bryan stated the plaintiffs in the lawsuit would likely come to a meeting to talk to the group if invited. A requirement in the lawsuit is for the DNR to establish a protective lake elevation. The DNR stated that they have an interdisciplinary team to help do that,and there will be an opportunity for stakeholder participation. It was stated by the DNR that they have direction to work with individual communities on their water supply plan,and they will use some of the things they learn through the settlement process to assist in that. There will be discussions on how to reach the 17%conservation goal, which they stated is not a mandate It was acknowledged that all those things could be done,and the water level of White Bear Lake may still not be fixed. Hugo Water Reuse Project City Administrator Bryan Bear presented a PowerPoint showing the Oneka Lake Golf Course and other water reuse projects and answered questions on the projects. Formalize Group as a Coalition Attendees talked about the benefits of formalizing the Water Summit group and referred to the I- 35 W/E coalition,which was formed in 2004 to work on transportation issues. The majority of the group agreed there would be a benefit to being formalized,but few were concerned it was another layer of government. City Administrator Bryan Bear stated that a draft Joint Powers Agreement would be drafted and provided for consideration at the next meeting. Updates Cities provided updates,mostly stating they were working on water conservation issues. Washington County Commissioner Fran Miron stated that the Second Generation Ground Water Management Plan was approved by the DNR, and they were now working on strategies for implementation. The Rice Creek Watershed District stated there may be some grant opportunities. The City of Columbus was asked about the TH 97 bridge over I-35 E,which many cities wrote resolution of support for increasing it to four lanes. It was stated that it had been stalled for this year. Engineer Ryan Goodman talked about the importance of water conservation education. Conclusion The group agreed to hold another meeting in September/October,2015. Possible agenda items were: information on grant applications; invitation to White Bear Lake plaintiffs to attend the meeting; and presentation by Metropolitan Council on Water Supply Plan and grant opportunities. Adjournment Mayor Weidt adjourned the meeting at a 9:40 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, 'Vf\ Michele Lindau City Clerk