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

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Councilmember Backous asked what started this process. Councilmember Weaver said this was reviewed over a year ago and that Representative Abeler was going to carry the bonding bill but we were not ready yet but that Jamie Schurbon (Anoka Conservation District) felt strongly that it is being driven by the Conservation District and the deadline for the grant application. 3.04: River & Shoreland Regulations Development Services Manager Gladhill stated that in 2009 the Legislature authorized rulemaking to protect the shoreland along the Mississippi River that received a lot of pushback because not one size fits all cities along the River. He said the rules are included in the current Legacy Omnibus Bill but that Ramsey has not reviewed it yet so they are unsure of their our position. He said the northwest group bonded together the last time with benefits to Ramsey but that they need to review this more before a resolution can be considered by the Council. Mayor Strommen asked if this bill includes new rulemaking or is being picked up from last time. Councilmember Weaver said the rulemaking continues from last time but that no sunset date is included on completion. Development Services Manager Gladhill said the bill is in the House now and that there is lots of background data on what the regulations are. Planning Director Braun said the last version included definitions but are not included now, adding there is language that the DNR needs to incorporate and industrial aspects too. Councilmember Weaver said they say they have toned down the rules but have really made them more onerous, affecting the Rum River and making us comply with MNRA rules. He said their plan for the Thurston interchange and the tight diamond along Kings Island is half a mile from the River and that the plan was rejected because it encroached in the MNRA area 600 square feet. Councilmember Weaver said these rules result in making all properties on the river non- conforming and that variances will be required for gardens, etc., that have to have a 50 -foot buffer. Development Services Manager Gladhill said they need to do more work on educating both Councils on where the rules are starting from. Mayor Strommen said this is not in the Senate yet but that they will know when it is on the floor. Councilmember Schmidt said there is not much chance for public input as they have already spent funds for this. Councilmember Weaver noted that anything could happen at the conference committee.