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I <br />I <br />I <br /> <br />CASE # 5 <br /> <br /> AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER INTO A JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT <br />WITH ANOKA COUNTY AND LOWER RUM RIVER WATERSHED MAxNAGEMENT <br />ORGANIZATION (LRR'WMO) <br /> By: James E. Norman <br /> <br />Background: <br /> <br />The City of Ramsey has been consider/ng the utilization of county ditch systems to be used for <br />municipal storm drainage systems. During the summer of 1998, the City received a legal <br />opinion that the archaic nature of county ditch legislation makes it too cumbersome for <br />maintenance. County ditches were created under detailed statutory procedures designed for <br />drainage of land for agricultural purposes. As land served by such ditches is urbanized, these <br />procedures make it impractical for the County to maintain, improve, or repair the ditches. Since <br />the County has no interest in maintaining the ditch system, it is possible for another jurisdiction <br />to assume the responsibility of the ditch. The City has been advised by two attorneys <br />specializing in drainage law, that it should seek transfer of jurisdiction of these ditches from <br />Anoka County. However, state law does not provide for the transfer of jurisdiction to a <br />municipality, but does allow for transfer to a Watershed District or Water Management District. <br />In the case of Ramsey's ditch systems, the appropriate body is the Lower Rum River Watershed <br />Management Organization (LRRWMO). The City of Ramsey entered into discussions with the <br />LRRWMO in September 1998, and is now prepared to enter into a joint powers agreement for <br />the transfer of county ditches to the City of Ramsey. <br /> <br />Joint Powers Agreement: <br /> <br />The proposed joint powers agreement allows the transfer of the county ditch to the LRRWMO, <br />who then transfers the maintenance to the City of Ramsey. The agreement requires signatures by <br />the City of Ramsey, Anoka County, and the LRRWMO. Staff anticipates that the LRRWMO <br />will formally enter into the agreement on Thursday, June 15, 2000. <br /> <br />Council Action: <br /> <br />Motion to enter into the Joint Powers Agreement with Anoka County and the Lower Rum River <br />Water Management Organization to transfer jurisdiction of County Ditch #43 and County Ditch <br />#3, a.k.a. County Ditch #66. <br /> <br />Reviewed by: <br /> <br />City Administrator <br />City Attorney <br />City Engineer <br /> <br />CC: 06/13/00 <br /> <br />-185- <br /> <br /> <br />