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<br />City Engineer Rimmer stated the.garden type compost could be used, however, using compost on <br />a large scale would be difficult because obtaining large volumes of compost would not be <br />feasible. <br /> <br />Commissioner Dunaway stated he likes the fact that we have a standard of soil now and <br />questioned how readily available it was. <br /> <br />City Engineer Rimmer stated this is the highest specificl;ltion MnDOT has and far exceed~ other <br />communities, but the city wants to set the bar high. The material is available, and the person can <br />choose what supplier they use. It is not as strict as what was required in the previous ordinance. <br /> <br />Commissioner Dunaway questioned why increasing the depth to six inches. <br /> <br />City Engineer Rimmer stated staff's recommendation was to have 4 inches of this material, <br />however, City Council decided if there was less of a specification, decreasing the organic <br />content, then there needs to be more depth. <br /> <br />Discussion ensued regarding the savings of watering less and possible loss of new sod with the <br />cost of the topsoil. <br /> <br />Motion by Commissioner Van Scoy, seconded by Commissioner Dunaway, to close the public <br />hearing. <br /> <br />Motion Carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Levine, Commissioners Van Scoy, Dunaway, Brauer, <br />Cleveland, Hunt, and Rogers. Voting No: None. Absent: None. <br /> <br />The public hearing closed at 8:18 p.m. <br /> <br />Commission Business <br /> <br />Chairperson Levine questioned whether we are setting the bar too high. <br /> <br />Planning Manager Miller stated that last year the Public Works Director looked at water usage in <br />the metro area aild the City of Ramsey ranked second in water usage in the entire metro area. For <br />a community our size having the second highest water usage, setting the bar high is where we <br />need to be to have water conservation. <br /> <br />City Engineer Rimmer stated that most cities reference MnDOT, with the organic range being <br />two to five percent, the City is requiring five to 15 percent. MnDOT does not set these standards, <br />they partnered with the University of Minnesota Agriculture. <br /> <br />Motion by Commissioner Brauer, seconded by COrru:I1issioner Cleveland, to recommend that City <br />Council adopt the ordinance amending the required depth of topsoil form four (4) to six (6) <br />inches I;llld to allow for alternatives to topsoil, such as compost, with the prior approval of the <br />City Engineer. <br /> <br />Planning CommissionlMarch 4, 2010 <br />Page 5 of8 <br /> <br />P5 <br />