Agenda - Council - 12/21/1982 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I MEMO TO: City Council and City Administrator FROM: City Engineer RE' Surface Water Management Meetings DATE' December 16, 1982 Since your last regular council meeting, I have attended two meetings in regard to the organization of the Upper Mississippi River Watershed. The first meeting was held on December 2, 1982 and the second meeting was held December 9, 1982. As indicated on the attached minutes from the December 2nd meeting, it was agreed at the meeting to try to split the Upper'Mississippi River Watershed by the river to cut down the number of communities involved. It was also the concensus of the group that the cities should try to form some type of organization so the counties or some other form of government do not take control and dictate additional laws and regulations on the cities. One alternative discussed was to form an umbrella organization with sub-organizations or taxing districts. At the December 9th meeting, Mr. Mel Sinn from the Water Resources Board and Mr. Marcel Jouseau from the Metropolitan Council were present to explain some of the specifics of the new law. They indicated that the intent of the law was to set up watershed districts within the seven county metropolitan area to control surface water runo£f and minimize pollution. An organized watershed is to consist of the aggregation of two or more minor watersheds in two or more cities. In addition, major watersheds such as Coon Creek are not to be divided. They also stated that according to the DNR, a minor watershed is to consist of a minimum of five square miles. It was Mr. Sinn's and Mr. Jouseau's opinion that the Upper Mississippi River Watershed could be split. They also said that if the intent of the law is met, adjustments to the law could be made. We also discussed the map of Watersheds for Surface Water Management recently sent out by the Metropolitan Council. Both City Engineer Johnson from Anoka and myself stated that in Anoka and Ramsey's case, runoff from our cities did not cross political boundaries prior to outletting into the Mississippi River. Therefore, part of the organization law may not apply to Ramsey or Anoka. I discussed this further with Mr. Sinn, and he indicated I should contact the DNR in regard to being exempted from the Water Management Law. Any exemption will require a law change. - 1 -