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Councilmember Kuzma asked about the impact should Coon Rapids pull out of the LRRWMO. <br />City Engineer Westby reviewed the JPA language, noting it would not impact since there would <br />still be three remaining member cities. <br />Councilmember Backous stated that Ramsey being a member of the LRRWMO concerns him <br />because of a recent issue that came to light when a member city of this organization made a <br />PowerPoint presentation suggesting Ramsey pay 49% of a future dam project. He stated Ramsey <br />has an equal vote on the LRRWMO but could be outnumbered and forced to pay 49% of <br />whatever project the LRRWMO decides to carry. Councilmember Backous stated he would not <br />be an advocate of renewing the JPA until the LRRWMO works out a weighted vote since <br />currently, Ramsey is responsible for 49% of any project. <br />Mayor Strommen stated that formula is based on land area, noting Ramsey has more impact on <br />the watershed area as it has more land within it <br />Councilmember Backous stated he understands that formula and noted in the case of Coon <br />Rapids, they have only a sliver of property in the LRRWMO yet an equal vote to Ramsey. <br />Councilmember Kuzma stated the actual change in the dam would be paid by other funding, not <br />the LRRWMO funding. <br />Mayor Strommen stated she shares the concerns and does not want to react to a proposal put <br />unilaterally on the table when there has been no discussion about future ownership of the dam or <br />how it will get reconstructed. She noted there is a commitment in the Third Generation <br />LRRWMO Plan to figure that out; however, that is not the proposal before the LRRWMO at this <br />time. She stated that issue will not be resolved prior to Ramsey having to make this decision. <br />Councilmember Backous stated it does not sound like a safe LRRWMO exit clause if Ramsey <br />has to petition to leave and three - fourths of its members have to agree. He stated the dam <br />proposal was presented in public without talking to Ramsey ahead of time, which is a concern to <br />him. He stated he does not support extending the JPA. <br />Mayor Strommen asked what the timeline for the LRRWMO consideration is, noting the JPA <br />does not expire until 2014. <br />City Engineer Westby stated that is correct but he thinks the LRRWMO wants to move that <br />consideration forward. <br />Mayor Strommen noted if Ramsey is not part of the LRRWMO, it would have to take those <br />responsibilities on its own. She explained the LRRWMO is part of shared services and the issue <br />is one of the member cities putting the dam study out in the public with funding proposed by the <br />LRRWMO funding formula. She suggested staff inform the LRRWMO of these concerns with <br />continuing a partnership when a proposal was put forward that does not sound like much of a <br />partnership. Mayor Strommen stated for her it is not a concern about participation in the <br />City Council Work Session / May 14, 2013 <br />Page 5 of 7 <br />