Minutes - Council - 02/14/2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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5) Consider Water Conservation Policy Assistant Public Works Director Olson explained the City is required to file a Water Emergency and Conservation Plan every 10 years, and the first plan was filed in 1996. Staff has learned that the DNR will be increasing the rate for water pumped in excess of the winter average rate. This fee will be applied to the peak pumping months; this fee is part of the State efforts to encourage conservation. He advised staff recommends Chapter 9 of the City Code be revised to require six inches of topsoil in all new developments. Rain sensors should be required on all new residential irrigation systems. Educational materials should be developed and disseminated through the website, the Ramsey Resident and brochures at City Hall and the new resident package. Revising the rate structure to encourage conservation should be evaluated and implemented through the Finance Committee and City Council. The consensus of the Public Works Committee was to recommend that the City Council direct the following regarding a Water Conservation Policy: · Define topsoil to be a sandy lome with 40% organic matter · Forward the policy for input from the Environmental Policy Board · Education, including a booth at the environmental expo and a QCTV program · Incentive program for existing homeowners to install rain sensors Mayor Gamec questioned if anyone installing a sprinkler system will be required to have a rain sensor. Assistant Public Works Director Olson replied this will be required in City Code. It would also be encouraged that existing homeowners retrofit their systems with rain sensors. It has not been determined how this will be applied. Councilmember Elvig noted the rain sensors may run on a program similar to the curb stops that the City currently stocks. It was also discussed that the City would provide an incentive to install the sensors, but that may be difficult to regulate. The Committee asked staff to be as imaginative as possible in coming up with ideas to help people be more mindful and make it easier for them to conserve. Mayor Gamec commented the Environmental Expo is a good idea to generate ideas and interest. Councilmember Cook suggested the possibility of a conservation booth at the Environmental Expo. He stated there are a lot of soil amendments that can he done, and this will need to be looked at more closely in the future. This may be something for the Environmental Policy Board to keep up with and make recommendations on in relation to water conservation. Councilmember Elvig stated one thing to express is that the City does not have a water shortage; it is a matter of getting water to the surface and having it available at the time when there are peaks, and having it available for emergencies; peak is one issue, and overall conservation is another issue. Councilmember Cook suggested the possibility of the next Environmental Expo showing things that can be done to yards to improve water retention. City Council / February 14, 2006 Page 22 of 26