Agenda - Council - 11/13/2018 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Engineer Westby confirmed that Ramsey is within the Anoka sandplain and is able to recharge the aquifer more quickly, while some other communities are not able to do that. He stated that the price for being located in the Anoka sandplain is the responsibility for assisting in the recharge. Acting Mayor LeTourneau stated that he believes it would make sense to participate in the study. City Engineer Westby stated that when staff has reached out to communities in the past, a lot of the discussions go towards cost and the City has not had information on cost to share. He stated that a benefit of this study would be providing some of those cost estimates which could be shared with other communities and potentially bring in other additional communities. Councilmember Johns asked if there would be a shelf life for the study as Ramsey already has plans for a number of years in the future. City Engineer Westby acknowledged that there is always a shelf life for plans but noted that the results of the study, by and large would have a fairly long shelf life. Councilmember Riley stated that the study does not need to be done to determine that this will be a much more expensive source of water. He stated that it also does not coordinate well with the current water supply system or systems used by the neighboring communities. He believed that the answer would be that this would be too expensive and therefore did not see a purpose in doing the study. Councilmember Shryock stated that perhaps the information in the study would bring interest from additional communities in future participation. She stated that having this identification of a potential location for a treatment center could bring in additional communities. Councilmember Kuzma stated that while he can understand the comments of Councilmember Riley, he believed that it is helpful to have options on the table. He stated that if there was an issue with the aquifer in the future, he would like to have options. Motion by Councilmember Kuzma, seconded by Councilmember Shryock, to Adopt Resolution #18-217 Supporting Metropolitan Council Study for Northwest Metropolitan Area Regional Surface Water Supply System. Further discussion: Councilmember Shryock stated that while she understands that there are concerns in working with the Metropolitan Council, State statute does not allow the Met Council to require the City to do anything with the study results. Councilmember Johns agreed that this would be a planning document. Acting Mayor LeToumeau acknowledged the informed comments of Councilmember Riley. He stated that the study will provide the City with the answers that it needs for this topic. He believed that the City should look for ways to use the Met Council in ways that benefits the City rather than the other way around. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Acting Mayor LeToumeau, Councilmembers Kuzma, Shryock, and Johns. Voting No: Councilmember Riley. City Council / October 23, 2018 Page l0 of 13