Minutes - Council Work Session - 07/31/2012

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Councilmember McGlone raised a scenario of a row of houses with property that is not able to accommodate drainage on site. Interim Engineer Nelson advised that stormwater ponds will not be going away. Retention ponds will be used on a regional level and the new requirements allow things like infiltration basins, pervious pavement, and volume reducing Best Management Practices. Generally, the exemption to purchase stormwater credits to make up the difference is only available upon Council approval and direction. Councilmember McGlone asked if this adds additional requirements or provides additional options. Councilmember Strommen explained the requirement was added in the LRRWMO Third Generation Plan and is already set for volume control so Ramsey does not have the option of whether or not to comply but can consider other options to meet the requirement. Mayor Ramsey stated he voted against this when he served as Ramsey's voting member on the LRRWMO.. The other issue is that the Third Generation Plan raises the standard for volume control so a property that could meet previous standards, may not be able to meet the Third Generation Plan standards for one inch of infiltration. If the property cannot meet that standard, the property owner has to pay for credits, which he felt was a type of tax and does not achieve keeping runoff on the property. Councilmember Strommen noted this standard maintains the same volume of water that enters the Rum River, whether it infiltrates in one area or another, and that is what the bank is trying to achieve. Mayor Ramsey stated this is a big issue and will take some time for the Council to get "up to speed." Councilmember Strommen stated it is expected that the LRRWMO Board will take a vote on August 16, 2012. Mayor Ramsey asked what these standards will mean to the cost of development in Ramsey. He felt a lot of escrow would now be required that was not previously required. Councilmember Strommen stated that is more related to the surety and will take time to discuss but Volume Banking is already required. Councilmember McGlone asked what is expected of the Council if the Third Generation Plan has already been enacted. City Administrator Ulrich advised that the volume control standards are set so those standards must be followed but Ramsey has discretion on the surety amounts and when the surety is collected. City Council Work Session / July 31, 2012 Page 9of18