Agenda - Council - 03/10/2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Our Mistion: To work together to resposibly grow our community, and to provide quality, cost-effective, and efficient government services. CC Regular Session 7. 5. Meeting Date: 03/10/2015 By: Bruce Westby, Engineering/Public Works Information Title: Consider City of Ramsey Response to Metropolitan Council Draft Water Resources Policy Plan Purpose/Background: The purpose of this case is to review a draft response to the Metropolitan Council Draft Water Resources Policy Plan. Notification: Notification is not required. Observations/Alternatives: The Metropolitan Council is in the process of updating their Regional Systems Plans (Water Resources, Transportation, Parks, and Housing). The Metropolitan Council recently released the attached draft Water Resources Policy Plan for public comment. This case summarizes the draft Water Resources Policy Plan, as well as the attached draft City of Ramsey response. Draft Water Resources Policy Plan Summary The Water Resources Policy Plan is an important policy plan that will serve to guide many of Ramsey's goals and initiatives related to water resources in the coming years, thereby having a significant impact on City residents, businesses, industries, and the community at -large. Page 21 of the policy plan states; "The overall theme of this Policy Plan is to move toward more sustainable water systems through integration of our roles in wastewater, water supply, and surface water planning, management and operation." The draft Water Resources Policy Plan does not appear to create any new mandates for the City, but instead appears to perpetuate and expand upon existing policies that could ultimately direct the City's future water supply source towards surface waters instead of groundwater aquifers. Because the City of Ramsey borders the Mississippi River, the Met Council previously directed the City to explore the use of the Mississippi River as a potential water supply source before requesting new groundwater wells. In response, the City completed a study which showed that a surface water treatment facility is technically feasible, but that it would likely not be economically feasible to build a surface water supply treatment facility to serve the needs of the City of Ramsey alone without financial assistance from the Metropolitan Council or others. However, if multiple communities were interested in constructing a regional surface water treatment facility it could then be economically feasible. Draft City of Ramsey Response The draft City of Ramsey response is attached for review. In summary, the City's response: 1. Supports the Met Council's goal of achieving sustainable water systems. 2. Supports the regionalization of water systems, as long as such systems are equitable.