Minutes - Council - 07/26/2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Case #18: Introduce Wetland Buffer Ordinance; Case of City of Ramsey Comnmnity Development Director Trudgeon indicated the draft wetland buffer ordinance has been completed and is ready for formal introduction. In general, the purpose of the ordinance is to provide protection of wetlands in the City based on their quality and other relevant factors through the establishment of natural vegetative buffers. These buffers provide an additional level of protection to the functions and values of wetlands. Wetland buffers will be established when triggered by development and on a voluntary basis for existing lots. The width of a buffer is bascd on wetland quality, topography, soils, and other environmental conditions. He explained wetland buffer monuments will be required at the edge of buffer strips. These monuments will not only denote the boundary of the buffer area but also advise subsequent property owners that no mowing or clearing of vegetation beyond that point is permitted. These monuments will need to be purchased through the City and installed by the developer as part of the Stage II Improvements. Mr. Trudgeon advised a wetlands inventory and assessment by the City is an important and n. eccssary aspect of determining the appropriate buffer width. As a result of this study, a Municipal Wetland Management Classification map will be created that would categorize each wetland into one of four management classifications, which, in turn, will be used to determine thc minimum, maximum, and average buffer widths required for a particular wetland. Staff has obtained two proposals from Peterson Environmental Consulting for a wetlands study. Both quotes include not only field work but also a full report and generation of a Municipal Wetland Management Classification map. The first option at a cost of $33,000 would include an assessment of the important wetlands, with a partial, off-site analysis of lower quality wetlands. The second option at a cost of $67,000 would incorporate all of the work of the first option, and also include a full analysis of the lower quality wetlands. He advised staff has applied for a MetroEnvironment Partnership grant through Metropolitan Council Environmental Services which, if awarded, would cover the cost of a full MnRAM analysis. However, the grants will not be awarded until mid-August. Therefore, staff is requesting authorization to engage the services of Petcrson Environmental Consulting Inc. for the purpose of conducting a wetlands inventory and assessment for the City at a cost not to exceed $35,000 as a contingency if Ramsey is not awarded grant monies. Staff is recommending that the cost of this project be covered with a transfer fi:om the Landfill Tipping Fund to the General Fund. Staff is recommending adoption of the proposed wetland buffer ordinance. Councihnember Olson inquired what the monuments will look like, and how they will remain permanent. Ron Pcterson of Peterson Environmental replied the City will determine what the monuments will look like. Many cities use 4x4 posts with a plaque, typically cities will have them made up so they are all the same. Councihnember Olson asked if these studies would be considered a benchmark study that would be updated periodically. City Council / July 26, 2005 Page 26 of 35