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Joint WMO Mtg. /Member Cities February 21, 1990 Page 4 Schrantz confirmed the LRRWMO is another hoop to jump through with responsibilities mandated according to the law. The board is now debating the level at which subdivisions are re- viewed. Mathisen reported the Legislature will be coming out with minimum guidelines of their own. Weaver responded to Knight's concern about duplicating agency functions indicating this body could have the ability to review projects and determine water run off and the potential effects before it reaches the wetlands. Seeing that water quality is maintained is the LRRWMO's mandated responsi- bility. Pearson added that with control staying with the local government, you have the ability to attempt to improve water quality at a cheaper cost for area citizens through the planning process. Nagel queried the time line for retrofitting. Pearson stated that that hasn't been determined. Cities with a population of 250,000 must apply for permits by 1992, and the State will work its way back to municipalities. In answer to Nagel's query about retrofitting standards, Mathisen reported they will come out over the next few years. The WMO will have to have a monitoring program established for water quality. SUMMARY Schrantz felt the main issue of the meeting is to make certain everyone is aware that the LRRWMO has been given the responsibility for managing water through a review process. He felt the commission will want to review every development going in, with a legal responsibility to do so. If managed well, Schrantz felt the majority of the process can be handled by the cities' staff. He requested comments on this statement. Elling felt if the four cities are in agreement, why didn't the staffs resolve the problems so the LRRWMO board doesn't have to, which would be a more cost effective and efficient method. Mathisen's response was it comes down to the manner in which permit reviews are handled. The Task Force Report indicates there was too much delegation, and the cities aren't being that careful. Reimann agreed water quality is an important issue that has to be addressed, but another layer of government is not preferable. The developers won't like it. He felt the situation would work if the cities worked together in addres- sing these issues from the same ordinances, etc. Schrantz reiterated that the LRRWMO is an established added level of government. He urged the city councils to consider what has been discussed tonight, including how they prefer