Minutes - Council Work Session - 11/20/2007

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Councilmember Look stated that this was included as a consent agenda case on October 9, 2007 and that he had asked that it be removed. He stated that he has sat in on a LRRWMO meeting and saw some issues that he feels need to be addressed. He stated that he is not a fan of non- elected government and that is what he feels this is. He stated that the LRR WMO has made decisions in the last 2 years since the JP A has expired and he would like to know, specifically, what they are before he will consider ratifying them. He stated that he would like to know whether the information brought forth from Barr Engineering is scientifically backed. He stated that he would also like to see water testing done upstream from the City and downstream to see if there is actually anything accomplished. He reiterated his concern about a non-elected form of government that has no checks and balances system in place. City Engineer Jankowski stated that he would like to take the time to go through his presentation regarding the LRRWMO. He stated that the organization was organized in 1985 to manage water resources. He stated that it is State law that there needs to be either an official watershed district or a water management organization. He noted that the main difference between these entities is districts have direct levy power and water management organizations are funded by member cities. He reviewed some of the goals from the State Statutes, such as conservation of water, prevent flood damage, protect and improve ground water quality, and establish uniform policies for surface and ground water management. He reviewed some of the studies and data collection that the LRRWMO has completed such as monitoring lake levels on Rogers Lake, Round Lake and Itasca Lake since 1989 and stream level monitoring on Ford and Trott Brook. He noted that since 2004, there have been a total of 113 permits issued, and of those, 61 were for the City. Councilmember Look reiterated his concerns about the science behind some of the decisions being made. He stated again that he would like to see the Rum River water evaluated to see what is happening. He stated that he would also like to know that the recommendations from Barr Engineering are supported by State and/or Federal mandates. City Engineer Jankowski stated that the LRRWMO is overseen by BWSR, an entity somewhat similar to the Met Council. City Administrator Ulrich asked if the City could be designated as the local government unit (LGU). City Engineer Jankowski stated that the City can take on that designation which could give the City control over some of the issues, but it would require additional staffing. Councilmember Elvig stated that he has heard some complaints about the current appeals process and that the appeal is heard by the same group from the LRRWMO that denied the original request. He stated that he has some suspicion about Barr Engineering and their practices. Councilmember Look stated that he does not want to ratify the recommendations and actions taken by the LRRWMO without seeing them and a scientific comparison of the river upstream from the City. City Council Work Session / November 20,2007 Page 8 of9