Agenda - Environmental Policy Board - 05/05/2014

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Soil Summary • The 4" Spec'd soil is almost doubly effective in soil moisture retaintion than the 4" Borrow soil used in the study, and probably more than doubly effective than topsoil typically availible for redistribution on lots in 'new' developments. • A municipal utility resident can expect to save $74 dollars each year utilizing Spec'd topsoil. • There are other benefits to specified topsoil (like reduced fertilization), that are not accounted for in this report. • Specifying topsoil may be an important strategy for receiving permits for new municipal wells. Additionally, the report demonstrates that up to three (3) municipal wells will not be needed from today to 2040 as a result of requiring specified topsoil. Recommendations: Staff recomends that the revised MnDOT Spec of Common Topsoil Borrow 3877 -1 would be deemed an approved equal to the soil specification presently identified within City Code, until such time as an Ordinace amendment may be executed. Further, that alternatives to specified topsoil for water conservation be explored and approved, such that homeowners and developers may have choices that best meet their goals - while maintaining the interests of the water utility and enviromental conservation. Examples of these measures may include: a 'tool kit' for developers describing the cost benefits to minimizing grading and preserving tree cover, approved irrigation systems with soil moisture sensing technology, alternative landscapes with appropriate measures to ensure conversion to turfgrass does not 'undo' the conservation intent, etc. Next Steps: • Present findings to the Environmental Policy Board at their regular May meeting. • Develop a Conservation Tool Kit for developers to demonstrate potential cost savings by incorporating conservation design practices into projects. • Present findings and Conservation Tool Kit to City Council for further direction. 4