Minutes - Council - 05/08/2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Case #2: Request to Consider Adopting Resolution in Support of Incorporating Active Living into the Comprehensive Plan Community Development Director Trudgeon indicated this item will be included on the agenda of the next City Council meeting. Case #3: Award Contract for Comprehensive Water Resources Management Plan Update Civil Engineer II Linton reviewed that the City Council approved a consultant for the Comprehensive Plan update at the March 13, 2007 meeting. A significant component of the Comprehensive Plan is the Water Resources Management Plan (WRMP). The WRMP should be completed before the Comprehensive Plan so that the recommendations can be incorporated into the other sections of the plan as they are developed. The WRMP will be reviewed and approved by the Metropolitan Council as part of the Comprehensive Plan, as well as being reviewed by the Lower Rum River Water Management Organization. Mr. Linton reviewed the requirements for the WRMP as specified in documents prepared by the Metropolitan Council. Civil Engineer II' Linton stated the process of identifying how the wetlands, lakes, creeks, county ditches, ponds, and storm sewer system interact to convey storm water will be labor intensive and comprises a significant portion of the proposal. The process will include identification of drainage basins without an outlet, perennial ponding areas that require remedial action to protect structures and streets. The process will also include creation of a storm water model for the city that can be manipulated by the staff in the future. This will provide the ability to assess the potential impact of new development on downstream properties. Mr. Linton explained the City has been part of the FEMA Flood Insurance Program since 1979. There were several areas in that study where the flood elevation was not determined. The WRMP will provide data for updating the Flood Insurance Maps for Ramsey for the areas where the elevation was not established and reviewing areas where significant development has occurred. Civil Engineer II Linton stated this plan will be an update of the 1980 Comprehensive Storm Drainage Plan. There were amendments in 1987, 1997 and 2002. The 1997 and 2002 amendments only covered the southeast quadrant of the City where updated topographic information was available. The 1980 plan was prepared using USGS 10 foot contours, which were the best available data at the time. This update will utilize the 2003 aerial maps with two- foot contours commissioned by the City. Data for areas developed after the aerial maps were created will be on file at the City. Mr. Linton stated staff has requested that the WRMP be a working document, organized so that the recommendations and action items are easily identifiable and can be implemented in a systematic approach. The storm sewer model requested will assist in this process. Civil Engineer II Linton stated the request for proposal (RFP) was approved by the Public Works Committee in January 2007, and ratified by the City Council in February. Requests were sent out in March to seven consultants identified by staff as having experience in preparing stud.ies of this nature. Staff met with each consultant after they had a chance to review the RFP and answer their specific questions. Proposals were received on April 12, 2007, and then reviewed and City Council / May 8, 2007 Page 8 of 13