Minutes - Council Work Session - 04/30/2013 - Joint with Anoka CC

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Councilmember Schmidt said the Conservation District is proposing to approach all 11 watershed districts between here and Mille Lacs. City Manager Cruikshank continued that the proposal (3) includes how we pay for ongoing maintenance and other costs of the Dam, which total about $15,000 annually. He said they are proposing a cost share based on the budget of LRRWMO land share; 49% Ramsey, 20% Andover /Anoka, and a small portion of Coon Rapids. He concluded that proposal (4) is repair and replacement of the Dam, which would include State involvement or converting it to a taxing watershed with stormwater fees, etc. City Manager Cruikshank said we have some time to create a plan but that they wanted to initiate the conversation. He said there are many reasons why the Dam exists and that is why it needs to remain for years to come. Councilmember Weaver said he forwarded an email outlining the process, effort, and time involved in raising the gates. City Administrator Ulrich said we want this discussion about costs and maintenance to be fair to the users as the fisheries issue is State -wide and that recreational uses may be more regional. Councilmember Weaver said we want to make sure we have support for funds for redundancy, noting the maintenance is another aspect. Mayor Strommen said until a study has been completed it is difficult to talk about cost share. She said she appreciates Anoka's leadership on this topic but that she has been through the process before and knows how much work is being done with the University of Minnesota and the DNR. She said we need to learn from the experts before we continue as this is a significant amount of money. Mayor Strommen said many are new to the Ramsey Council and that they need to learn more about this background. Councilmember Weaver said that June 7 is the deadline for the grant so there is not much time for a debate. He said if we are afraid to invest, we will waste a year, adding Ramsey will come to the same conclusion because we will not know the outcome of the Stanley consultants until we spend the money. He said this is an important part of the invasive species study and that time is of the essence. Mayor Strommen said she understands the urgency but is concerned because there is lots of competition and most of the discussion is farther downstream. She said when they are in the process they will ask a lot of questions. Councilmember Weaver agreed but said we have to do the study to answer the question because they need to protect Mille Lacs Lake. He said redundancy is critical on any river to combat this problem, adding that while many forms already in place appear to be only 75% effective. Director of Public Services /City Engineer Lee calculated that they are 90% effective so anything we can do for preventive measures is best.