Laserfiche WebLink
Board Member Hiatt stated that this money will greatly help with the cost for the devices, but the <br /> homeowner would also be responsible for labor costs to install the new devices. He commented <br /> that the $500 maximum per household would help to serve the intent desired by Councilmember <br /> Musgrove. He noted that half of the City would not be eligible for the program as they are not <br /> connected to municipal water services. He hoped that the City could also investigate options for <br /> those residents that are not connected to City services in the future. <br /> Board Member Fetterley stated that she would suspect that the majority of devices purchased will <br /> be irrigation upgrades, which will cost significantly more than $200. She stated that this <br /> information will all be distributed to the public and did not see the purpose of a waiting period as <br /> it will already take time for residents to complete research and find the appropriate devices and <br /> contractors. <br /> Councilmember Musgrove stated that Councilmembers, Commissioners, Board Members, and <br /> City staff have a head start on the availability of grant funds from the program, which would put <br /> them at advantage so to speak. She explained that her thinking was perhaps to provide the same <br /> amount of notice to residents. <br /> City Planner Anderson stated that as the structure of the rebate program is finalized there will be <br /> a number of public promotions completed to notify the public. He stated that staff could <br /> incorporate a start date for applications if desired. <br /> Chairperson Valentine agreed that it would be fair to have public notice. He noted that there would <br /> also be a seasonal concern with irrigation uses. <br /> Board Member Covart asked if a public notice stating that the grant funds would be available in <br /> 30 days from the publication would suffice the intent of Councilmember Musgrove. She <br /> referenced audit services, which would not be covered under this grant, but noted that service <br /> would be available to those on private wells as well and is something the City could look at for a <br /> future program. <br /> Motion by Board Member Hiatt and seconded by Board Member Bernard to recommend that the <br /> City Council adopt Resolution#20-018 to enter into the Clean Water Fund Grant Agreement with <br /> the Metropolitan Council and to accept the $28,000 grant to implement a water efficiency rebate <br /> program. <br /> Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Valentine, Board Member Hiatt, Bernard, Covart, <br /> Fetterley, and Moore. Voting No: None. Absent: None. <br /> 5.03: Minnesota Department of Agriculture Presentation on Emerald Ash Borer(EAB) <br /> City Planner Anderson presented the staff report. He stated that in response to an inquiry from a <br /> concerned Ramsey resident, City staff went out to inspect an ash tree in the resident's front yard. <br /> There was a gallery visible on one of the lower limbs. City staff sent photos of the gallery to the <br /> Minnesota Department of Agriculture's Arrest the Pest site for review. A follow up inspection by <br /> City staff and MDA occurred on December 11, 2019, which ultimately confirmed the presence of <br /> Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). EAB is an invasive insect that attacks all native variety of ash trees. <br /> Environmental Policy Board/January 13, 2020 <br /> Page 5 of 7 <br />