Agenda - Environmental Policy Board - 02/10/2020

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City Planner Anderson stated that in reference to the November, 2019 meeting, Councilmember Musgrove had let him know that she would not be able to attend because of a conflict with a City Council budget worksession. He stated that he had failed to alert the Board at the November meeting and wanted the minutes to reflect the reason for her absence. 5. POLICY BOARD BUSINESS 5.01: Update on Multiple Water Treatment Studies City Planner Anderson presented the staff report. He stated that in November of 2019, City staff provided a brief update to the EPB that there were multiple water supply system studies underway. Staff noted that in the coming months, the City Engineer offered to attend an EPB meeting to provide further updates and answer any questions the Board may have. He noted that a high-level update on the two water system supply studies currently in progress was provided in the Board packet. City Engineer Westby stated that staff has been working on two water supply studies, one looking at treatment of surface water and the other treating groundwater. He stated that unfortunately staff is not as far along as he hoped they would be but would still be providing a brief presentation. He noted that he would be happy to come back in June or July when the studies are completed to provide more definitive conclusions. Chairperson Valentine commented that he would be happy to have City Engineer Westby back when the studies are completed. City Engineer Westby reviewed the timeline for the City's current water supply system including construction of the system, participation in the regional surface water supply study, recent levels of manganese, and centralized water treatment facility preliminary design study. He noted that future plans in the CIP include construction of a groundwater treatment facility. He provided an update on the status of the regional surface water supply study, noting that the Metropolitan Council is funding the study while the cities involved are leading the study. He stated that they are hoping to have results available next month to further review. He provided an update on the status of the centralized water treatment facility preliminary design study, noting that the study will provide three deliverables to the City. He stated that staff is hoping to have the results from this study around June or July. He confirmed that he would be willing to come back to the Board with the final study results later this summer. Chairperson Valentine stated that it will become increasingly difficult to obtain permits for wells for this purpose as so much water is being drawn from the aquafers. He also commented on the Joint Powers Agreement that would be needed for a multiple municipality treatment facility. He asked for input on the City's relationship with the DNR, as that agency could have an impact on the City's ability to draw additional water from the aquafer. City Engineer Westby commented that the City has a good relationship with the DNR. He stated that with ongoing discussions and the City working with the DNR on various studies, he believes that the DNR would allow additional wells to be drilled if necessary. He believed that the DNR recognizes that the costs are significant to convert a municipal water supply to a surface water Environmental Policy Board / January 13, 2020 Page 2 of 7