Minutes - Council Work Session - 09/23/2014

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o Engage Residents o Assist (off -load) City Staff — Research • Brainstorm, Bring New Ideas and Trends to Council • Communicate with Residents o Outreach on Environmental Issues o Advocate for Sustainability o Self- Direction o Involved in Ordinance /Policy Noise • Assist Policy Lower Rum River o Flooding /Wetlands o Water Drainage Flooding o Review Environmental Stormwater -Pond Issues City Planner Anderson noted the theme coming forward deals with public education. He asked whether the tasks of the EPB could be addressed through existing Boards and Commission, or if the EPB should return to a Task Force format that addresses issues as they arise rather than being a City Board that meets on a regular monthly basis. He stated the purpose of tonight's discussion is to examine the EPB's role with the City and if that purpose is upheld, determine how staff can tackle that purpose to benefit residents and the City as a whole. Mayor Strommen stated the purpose and time out of which the EPB evolved was a period during which the City was experiencing high rates of development and many issues were being raised by residents related to loss of open space, loss of trees, and environmental impacts. She believed the City is now in a different environment and the focus and impetus has changed. With the upcoming change in the Comprehensive Plan, she thinks it may be more of a role to anticipate issues rather than responding to issues. Some of those issues could be changes in weather patterns, more frequent heavy rain events, addressing the potential for flooding, and water supply. Mayor Strommen stated the Board has had a strong role to engage members of the community in education and to advise the Council of policy so she finds there is still a purpose and strong role for the EPB to address issues that are now emerging. Community Development Director Gladhill stated the purposes offered reflect a strong emphasis on storm water management and education components. He asked those present if the suggested purposes are relevant. EPB Member Bentz felt that over the years, the EPB has been the last to know so the development has been done by the time the EPB is informed. He felt stormwater was a good example for the construction occurring by Highway 10. In the past, the Planning Commission has been involved but the EPB is not aware of what is occurring. EPB Member Bentz referenced action in California that rerouted snow melt and now with the drought, they need that snow melt. He felt that same issue occurred in Ramsey because all of its stormwater is being diverted to the River. City Council Work Session / September 23, 2014 Page 3 of 10