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POLICY BOARD BUSINESS Case #1: Presentation on Comprehensive Storm Water Plan Environmental Coordinator Anderson introduced Mr. Bill Douglas and Mr. Todd Javens, representatives from Bolton & Menk, Inc. Environmental Coordinator Anderson reported that Bolton and Menk, Inc. was awarded the contract for the Comprehensive Storm Water Management Plan (SWMP) so it can be incorporated in the City's Comprehensive Plan Update. The plan looks at how wetlands, lakes, creeks, ditches, ponds and storm sewer systems interact to convey storm water. A component of their proposal included completing the Wetland Functions and Values study for the 200 plus wetlands that were not ground-truthed by Westwood Professional Services. Bolton and Menk, Inc. has completed the wetland analyses as well as a draft version of the SWMP. Mr. Douglas stated that Bolton and Menk, Inc. is due to submit the SWMP on Wednesday, July 25, 2007. The City wants a comprehensive model of how the existing system works and recommendations on how to grow without adversely affecting wetlands. They are discovering that Ramsey is built on the Anoka sand plain. Most of the water goes straight down with very little runoff. The concern is to not cause problems downstream when large areas of impervious pavement are added to the landscape. One way to eliminate that is by adding large retention/infiltration basins. Mr. Douglas stated he will be making recommendations to keep the groundwater table close to where it is now, and having the ground filter out rather than dumping into wetlands. Westwood Professional Services completed approximately one-third (1/3) of the wetland ground-truthing. Bolton and Menk, Inc. has now completed the remaining two-thirds (2/3) of wetland ground-truthing. When the final report is completed, they will provide the City with an Access database. Mr. Javens, Wetland Specialist, stated that Bolton and Menk, Inc. was set to inspect 213 wetlands. They were denied access to six (6) of the 213 wetlands. Of the 213 wetlands, 23 were determined to be non-wetlands. They are classified in four (4) different classes. Preserve and Manage 1 are higher quality wetlands with better functions and values. The rest are Manage 2 and 3. By looking at quick readings of tables in the program, two (2) wetlands will move up to the Preserve level. Eleven wetlands will move up to the Manage 1 level. The rest will stay in Manage 2 and 3. A lot of that has to do with existing vegetation such as cattails and reed canary grass. Mr. Douglas stated that land and water resource information is being put into the SWMP. He noted that the City is already doing things with management of woodlands and forested areas. He asked for clarification whether the City had plans to move forward with a wetland management plan. His intent is to continue on the same theme that Westwood Professional Services started by putting things into GIS so the plan will also be map related. He noted that the City is talking about putting buffers around the wetlands. He will' write into the draft plan that buffers should be required in new developments. The question to be addressed is how to get buffers in previously developed areas so that people aren't mowing to the edge, because that is regarded as a taking. He suggested the City negotiate easements to get the buffers and budget to pay Environmental Policy Board/July 23, 2007 Page 2 of 16