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Motion carried. <br /> <br />Case #6: Adopt Wetland Buffer Ordinance; Case of City of Ramsey <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec stated the Wetland Buffer Ordinance has been discussed at length by the Council <br />and was introduced by the Council at the September 27, 2005 Council meeting. <br /> <br />Motion by Councilmember Strommen, seconded by Councilmember Elvig, to adopt.Ordinance <br />#05-27 to amend City Code with the addition of Section 9.26 (Wetland Protection). <br /> <br />Further discussion: Councilmember Jeffrey thanked the Environmental Policy Board for their <br />work on this ordinance. Mayor Gamec stated the residents sh6uld understand there is a variance <br />procedure in place for unique situations. Councilmember Strommen indicated the intent of the <br />Enviromnental Policy Board is that this ordinance be reviewed after it has been implemented for <br />a period of time. She noted the wetland map will be completed at approximately the same time <br />Iris ordinance goes into effect. Councilmember Pearson stated he is in favor of property fights, <br />and to him this ordinance infringes on the property rights of the landowner. The same effect <br />could be obtained by educating the public without taking the rights away from the landowner. <br />lte stated he sees land in the City that is now under water that was dry land years ago, and has <br />also seen the opposite; wetlands change. Councilmember Olson concurred. She stated there are <br />a lot of things the City could be doing in regards to education that would accomplish what they <br />are trying to accomplish with this ordinance. Wetlands come and wetlands go, but property <br />rights remain. Mayor Gamec commented he has wavered both Ways on this ordinance, and it <br />may take the ordinance going into effect to see how it will operate. He suggested they may want <br />to wait to adopt the ordinance until the wetland map is completed. Councilmember Strommen <br />stated the wetland map will be a scientific inventory of the wetlands in the City, and there is not <br />much they can do to change the map that will affect this ordinance, Councilmember Cook stated <br />he agrees a large part of this could be handled by education, but the ordinance can bring that <br />education to light. People often do not want to be educated until there is a reason for them to be <br />educated. This ordinance is a step in the right direction. Councilmember Elvig noted there is an <br />appeal process included in the ordinance if the mapping is felt to be unjust. The concern is to <br />protect the wetlands as they grow as a City. His concern is regarding the people that sell to <br />developers that will squeeze in development down to the waters edge, and the ordinance should <br />bc in place to protect against the pressures coming to the City. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec directed staff to schedule a review of this ordinance after it has been in effect for <br />approxn2ately six months. <br /> <br />roll call vote was performed by the Recording Secretary: <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec: aye <br />Councilmember Cook: aye <br />Cfmncihnember Elvig: aye <br />Councilmember Jeffrey: aye <br />Counc/hnember Olson: aye <br />Councilmember Pearson: nay <br /> <br />City Council / October 11, 2005 <br /> Page 9 of 17 <br /> <br />P35 <br /> <br /> <br />