Minutes - Council Work Session - 07/10/2012

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Councilmember Strommen advised that the LRRWMO will continue discussion on this item at its July meeting and vote on it in August. She explained this item relates to one piece of the Third Generation Plan implementation. The LRRWMO has requirements in place and wants to ensure the public does not pay for private projects. However, some projects and surety requirements are already covered by member cities. The discussion has been if these are already covered by member cities in development agreements, should it be handled by the LRRWMO. The general preference expressed is that it be handled by member cities. Since this is a LRRWMO requirement, there is a preference for consistency between member cities. Councilmember Strommen stated the LRRWMO is requesting feedback in how its requirements compare to what member cities are already requiring. Councilmember Elvig stated when talking about the surety or bond, he supports requiring a letter of credit held by the City. He felt the LRRWMO is not structured to handle those types of funds. Councilmember McGlone stated his concern is that the LRRWMO has prevue over a "heartburn issue" for all developers and property owners. He stated he wants to better understand the issues, thinks the LRRWMO adds cost to a project, and asked if Ramsey can set the surety number. Mayor Ramsey agreed that the Council needs to get more information about the LRRWMO, the Third Generation Plan, and the City's requirements for its membership. Councilmember Strommen clarified that the requirements are already set in the Third Generation Plan and the LRRWMO is now looking at how to implement the Plan. The member cities have indicated they are already requiring those sureties so the LRRWMO does not need to do it. The other issue is if the level of surety should be consistent between member cities since it is a LRRWMO requirement. Councilmember McGlone asked whether Ramsey already takes sureties for these projects so developers are being required to place double sureties. Councilmember Strommen noted that is the issue so the City is being asked to consider who should require the surety, the City or LRRWMO, and the amount of the surety. She suggested a cost comparison be provided so the Council can address the potential impact. Mayor Ramsey stated the Council needs more information, such as an executive summary of the Third Generation Plan. He stated he had voted against the wetland standards while serving on the LRRWMO. Councilmember Strommen stated she will provide an update on Ramsey's consideration at the LRRWMO's July meeting. The consensus of the Council was to direct staff to provide an executive summary of the Third Generation Plan and present a comparison of Ramsey's surety requirement with the LRRWMO's surety requirement. City Council Work Session / July 10, 2012 Page 4 of 6