Minutes - Council - 01/23/2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Case #1.4: Authorize Letter Requesting Extension of 2020 Comprehensive Plan Review City Administrator Norman stated that the City has been working on the 2020 Comprehensive Plan for the past four years. The formal plan review began on October 4, 2000. The 60-day review period ended on December 3, 2000, and the Metropolitan Council extended the review period for another 60 days, as provided by law. The review period currently will end on February 1, 2001. After a lengthy debate during a work session held with Metropolitan Council Representative Natalie Haas Steffen and Metropolitan staff on January 16, 2001, it was decided to authorize the City Administrator tO draft a letter for Council approval and submission to extend the Comprehensive Plan review period for an additional four week period. Councilmember Hendriksen inquired as to why the consultant did not catch the fact that the Comprehensive Plan was to go past 2015. City Administrator Norman replied that the consultant had been limited in the review process. Councilmember Hendriksen stated that the City paid the consultant more than $100,000 to draft a Comprehensive Plan acceptable to the Met Council and the plan is five years short of what they are requiring. He stated that there has been a considerable amount of controversy over the ISTS system and the Met Council referenced another piece of legislation which the Met Council claims gives them the authority to require such a system. His reading of legislature was not persuasive to that fact, but requested that the City Attorney receive a copy of that document for his review. Councilmember Anderson stated that the Met Council has made it very clear that they will not accept a Comprehensive Plan without the ISTS tracking system. Councilmember Hendriksen replied that just because the Met Council demands something does not mean that the City has to agree to do it if legally the City is not required to do so. City Administrator Norman questioned the Council if they wanted to comply with the regulations pertaining to the ISTS tracking system. Mayor Gamec stated that he feels the ISTS tracking system is the safest way to protect on-site septic systems and wells and for that reason he does not have a problem with the system. Councilmember Hendriksen stated that first they start with something small and then they demand more. The point is that there is a long slippery slope and that is one of the steps down that slope. He does not believe that the Met Council has any legal basis for demanding what they are demanding or threatening what they are threatening. City Council/January 23, 2001 Page 28 of 34