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<br />the WMO. The City requested the WMO take these over so the City could do some maintenance <br />for them. <br /> <br />Councilmember McGlone inquired why we would want to control the ditches. <br /> <br />Director of Public Works Olson stated that the County Ditch Law is a very archaic law. It was <br />formulated when agricultural pipes needed ditches to farm certain lands. We cannot take control <br />of a ditch; the County is the responsible unit. The County does not want it - it will turn it over to <br />the WMO. They cannot turn it over to the City - they have to turn in over to the Water Shed <br />District. <br /> <br />Upon inquiry as to where the WMO gets funding for the maintenance of the ditches - the <br />response was from the City of Ramsey. We own it but have no control over it. <br /> <br />Discussion ensued relating to 7.6 - buffers - the EPB recommended reviewing that to be more <br />flexible. They talked about 7.7 - high value wetlands, as determined by MNRAM, should not be <br />used for storm water management. Staff s comment is that we need to have it better defined for <br />.what is termed as storm water management. If it means we cannot discharge water into it, we <br />have a problem with that. We agree we can put treated water into a high value wetland if we do <br />not have to treat water for a low value wetland. Mr. Jankowski continued with 9.1 - the member <br />cities are responsible for establishing and implements permitting program. WMO will require <br />permits for certain activities. Currently we require permits for any activity that will disturb one <br />acre of property. Do we want to raise that threshold to something larger than that. Forty acres <br />was mentioned. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig left the meeting - 8:39 p.m. <br /> <br />Mr. Jankowski stated that with regard to implementation - cities have the opportunity to act as <br />their own Local Governmental Unit (LGU) for the wetland conservation act. Currently the <br />WMO has that. This would require extra training time on staff if we take it over. <br /> <br />Environmental Coordinator Anderson stated this is directed to BOWSR - certified wetland <br />delineator. At some point, the City adopted a resolution adopting the WMO as the LGU so there <br />would need to be some resolution essentially eliminating. that and retaining it for the city <br />ourselves. However, current staff would have to be trained and it would consume more time <br />when development activity starts back up. <br /> <br />Mr. Olson asked if Council would like to keep things as is or pursue becoming our own LGU. <br />We probably would not come close to recouping costs for classes, exams, etc. <br /> <br />Melissa Lewis, Board of Soil and Water Resources, stated that the City could rescind the <br />resolution but to make sure you have trained staff or a consultant that has expertise. They do not <br />have to be a delineator but that would help. If the City were acting as its own LGU - you would <br />still have to follow the Wetland Conservation Act. The WMO can set standards over and above <br />the Wetland Conservation Act. Member cities implement these standards. <br /> <br />City Council Work Session <br />Page 70fl0 <br />