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Fe CASE# I WETLANDS FUNCTIONS AND VALUES STUDY; CASE OF CITY OF RAMSEY By: Chris AndersonlRecycling & Zoning Coordinator Background: Last year, the City engaged the services of Peterson Environmental Consulting, Inc. to conduct a wetlands functions and values study. The results of the study would be instrumental in applying the regulations of the wetland buffer ordinance. A transfer of $35,000.00 from the Landfill Tipping Fee Fund to the General Fund was authorized to initiate this work. The original contract, in the amount of $33,320.00, assumed that approximately twenty percent (20%) of the wetlands, based on similar studies conducted in other communities, would be classified as Preserve or Manage 1 (higher quality wetlands) and thus would require full MnRAMs (Minnesota Routine Assessment Method, a methodology used to evaluate wetlands). If fewer or more wetlands required evaluation, costs would be adjusted accordingly. The GIS and data review portion of the study resulted in 136 wetlands, or a little more than twice the assumed number of wetlands, being preliminarily classified as either Preserve or Manage 1. This is a positive when in terms of the ecological health of the wetlands. However, it also meant additional field work. Peterson Environmental Consulting, Inc, which has since merged with Westwood Professional Services, has submitted a budget supplement necessary to complete the study, generate the report, and present the findings to the Environmental Policy Board, the Planning Commission, and the City Council. The additional funding necessary to complete this study is estimated to be $19,163.25. After applying the difference between the original contract amount of $33,320 and the initial transfer of $35,000 (a difference of $1,680.00), the additional funding necessary to complete the study estimated to be $17,483.25. A large portion of the budget supplement is for field work that has already been completed (all but 10 wetlands have been ground-truthed). The remainder of the budget supplement covers the expense of completing full MnRAMs on the last 10 wetlands and generating the report and municipal wetland management classification map. Mr. Ron Peterson of Westwood Professional Services has offered to present the findings to the Environmental Policy Board, the Planning Commission, and ultimately to the City Council for adoption, at no charge to the City. The following items are enclosed: a. Budget supplement submitted by Westwood Professional Services b. Proposed resolution authorizing a transfer of $20,000 from the Landfill Tipping Fee Fund to the General Fund to complete the Wetlands Functions and Values Study. Recommendation: The Environmental Policy Board has been apprised ofthe fact that costs have exceeded the initial contract amount. Both the EPB and City Staff recommend authorizing a transfer of $20,000.00 from the Landfill Tipping Fee Fund to the General Fund to complete the functions and values study. Environmental services expenses are a legitimate use of the Landfill Tipping Fee Fund.