Minutes - Environmental Policy Board - 11/19/2018

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City Planner Anderson stated that staff has soils maps that identify fingers of clay but noted that the majority of Ramsey is composed of sandy soils. He stated that it would be difficult to design a standard based on an underlying soil type, noting that sometimes the soils maps are inaccurate, or pockets of clay are found that were previously unknown. Board Member Hiatt referenced the proposal from Capstone which requested the change to the topsoil requirement and a mandate for inground irrigation with water sensors. He stated that water sensor information was not included in this recommendation and asked if the City already requires that. City Planner Anderson confirmed that the zoning code was previously amended to require a form of water efficient technology. He explained that the language was left broader, providing examples, to ensure that the City would not preclude new technology that is developed after the code was enacted. He stated that a majority of the irrigation systems in the City were already installed prior to the adoption of that ordinance change. Motion by Board Member Hiatt and seconded by Chairperson Valentine to direct staff to prepare an Ordinance Amendment to revise the definition of topsoil. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Valentine, Board Member Covart, Hiatt, Madison, and Moore. Voting No: None. Absent: Board Member Bernard and Fetterley. Board Member Hiatt stated that perhaps this would be a good time to work on an incentive-based model that would encourage those that already have irrigation systems to install the new sensor technology to reduce water usage. City Planner Anderson noted that although education was not a focus of this discussion, it will continue to be an element going forward. He stated that staff can develop and make available all the educational material, but people have to actually read it. He agreed that staff could connect with other communities that have enacted incentives to gather information and develop a proposed implementation plan. Chairperson Valentine asked if staff would need additional support in order to move this forward with sufficient speed. City Planner Anderson stated that he is unsure of the staffing needs but agreed that there would be added time to administrating any incentive-based program. He noted that there would be options for interns or other options that may not have a cost to the City. He did agree that there would be added resources needed from staff to implement a program of that nature and would be included in anything that comes forward for review. 6. BOARD/STAFF INPUT • Receive Update on Water Efficient Potential Project Analysis City Planner Anderson stated that earlier in 2018 the Board discussed Ramsey potentially participating in a study organized by the Metropolitan Council. Environmental Policy Board/November 19, 2018 Page 4 of 5