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Home My WebLink About2.E. Wetland Management Plan Update Proposal ROSFN1OUNT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY CITY COUNCIL City Council Work Session: March 14, 2012 AGENDA ITEM: Wetland Management Plan Update AGENDA SECTION: Proposal Discussion PREPARED BY: Andrew J. Brotzler, PE, Director of ' uylic AGENDA NO. (7 Works /City Engineer , ATTACHMENTS: Proposal APPROVED BY: RECOMMENDED ACTION: Discussion ISSUE Consider updating the Comprehensive Wetland Management Plan to incorporate new Wetland Conservation Act (WCA) rules, buffer performance standards, and consider updating requirements for wetland replacement for impacts. BACKGROUND The city first adopted the Comprehensive Wetland Management Plan (CWMP) in 1998, with a minor amendment in February 1999, a major amendment in December 2005, and a minor amendment in December 2007. Since the last amendment in 2007, several updates have been made to the state Wetland Conservation Act (WCA) rules that have resulted in inconsistencies between the city's CWMP and WCA rules. The work plan within the attached proposal includes updating the CWMP to incorporate the current WCA rules and will include language to allow for the integration of future WCA rule amendments. The update will also address the issue of secondary impacts to wetlands associated with development and will add language to better define performance expectations and standards for the establishment and maintenance of buffer areas. The current CWMP utilizes a wetland assessment procedure that was developed by and for the City of Rosemount, the Rosemount Wetland Functional Assessment (RoseWFA). Over the years, the management and correlation of this procedure with more standard procedures has proved challenging for both city staff and landowners. It is proposed to update the plan to replace the RoseWFA with the Minnesota Routine Assessment Method (MnRAM) that is more commonly used in other communities and agencies. Additionally, over the past several years the city has worked more closely with the Wetland Health Evaluation Program (WHEP). The WHEP volunteers are producing very useful monitoring information for city wetlands and mitigation sites that is proposed to be incorporated into the CWMP as a management tool for wetland resources. As in the past, it is proposed to establish a task force to meet up to three (3) times over the course of the update. Past task forces have included representatives from the City Council, Planning Commission, Utility Commission and Parks and Recreation Commission. Staff would propose that Council consider establishing a task force comprised of the following: City Council Member(s) — 1 to 2 Planning Commission Member Utility Commission Member WHEP Volunteer The cost associated with the update of the CWMP will be funded from the city Storm Water Utility Fund. SUMMARY Should Council be in support of the proposed plan to update the CWMP, staff would request direction on specific members for the task force to be contacted. This proposal would then be placed on a future City Council agenda for authorization to proceed and the formal establishment of a task force. 2 „,, .... .....4. ,..r. , .p. Proposal for 4 ROSEMOUNT --1,2i-giin-;frtafri%6PA&P/1 MINNESOTA ?bn Pip0)alLe December 9, 2011 F , .4444 4,4410,- 4 1 04 ,,, z,...14%.Z... +4€ •■•• . ,.. • i - - • 4.40e411101111W .. . • - _ • • 1 , 1 , % • '‘ I . el 1 4 - s? . • - • t 4 4 ; -: ', ', ” ik • - 4, ',,, ° -. •.•••,=, '' i I . 1 • . ' ' w • •• ' .1 1,... P A •A . 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".-. - - ---._ _:" '••: - - - - 17 1....i!,..,,,.,r - s=/7.1_” " - --..- - - ...'---- °----•-...; -•-•°:" r...-• • • - - 7, 77 • ' ' ••• „t: ''' , A - — - --",--- , _ , - - ---..„-,..--f _ ....... — --,-; - .,- - ...... . —...----. :4,— ,-- , _.. ._, :... __ .._... --- •■•••••••wfil .,... - - - •<-...----- I " WSB ■ -.^.--, & Associates, Inc ,...• A — ' 4 ROSEMOUNT MINNESOTA WSB - 701 Xenia Avenue South & Associates, Inc. Engineering • Planning • Environmental • Construction Suite 300 Minneapolis, MN 55416 Tel: 763 -541 -4800 Fax: 763 -541 -1700 December 9, 2011 Andy Brotzler, PE City of Rosemount 2875 145th Street West Rosemount, MN 55068 -4941 Re: Rosemount Wetland Management Plan Update Dear Mr. Brotzler: WSB & Associates, Inc. is pleased to submit this proposal for services to update the City of Rosemount's Wetland Management Plan. Our team has the expertise needed to complete all tasks, as well as the understanding of how this plan impacts the City. We can make certain this updated plan remains ready to implement in an efficient and highly workable manner. The proposed scope and fee presented in this proposal represent our complete understanding of the project based on discussions with you and your staff. If you are in agreement, please sign two copies of this proposal and return one copy to our office. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this proposal, please feel free to contact me at 763.231.4854. Once again, we appreciate the opportunity to submit this proposal and look forward to working with you and your staff. Sincerely, WSB & Associates, Inc. I ACCEPTED BY CITY OF ROSEMOUNT Jed Chesnut Signature Wetland /Natural Resources Specialist Name Title Date 4 ROSEMOUNT MINNESOTA Proposed Work Plan TASK 1 - UPDATE PLAN This task will include updating Rosemount's Wetland Management Plan (Plan) to incorporate the most recent and future versions of the Wetland Conservation Act (WCA). The WCA has changed since the last Plan update in 2007, and the language of the Plan does not clearly incorporate updates to WCA. Some of the changes include: • Noticing of application requirements — the size of wetland impact threshold for noticing procedures is no longer applicable • Wetland boundary/type applications must now be noticed to the Technical Evaluation Panel • Exemption standards have changed and no longer include "incidental wetlands" • Electronic communication (email) is now valid for noticing • The process for appeals of wetland decisions now requires a specific local appeal procedure or the appeal goes directly to the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) • Siting of wetland replacement has been clarified The updated plan will incorporate the changes to the WCA and will include language that allows for integration of future WCA amendments. The updated Plan will also contain language addressing the issue of secondary impacts to wetlands that can occur due to altering the hydrology of a wetland's watershed. This is especially important in Rosemount, since many of the wetlands are isolated basins that are surface water dependent and the soils are highly permeable. This leaves many wetlands susceptible to changes in surface hydrology. The Plan currently provides a comprehensive wetland buffer rule. However, the buffer rule does not include performance standards or flexibility for natural landscape connections. Additionally, the current buffer rule does not include policies related to infiltration -type stormwater treatment facilities, such as rain gardens, being constructed in a wetland buffer. The update will include clear language that further refines the wetland buffer rule, adds language to address stormwater treatment facilities within buffers, and adds both flexibility and accountability for the quality and function of the wetland buffer. Clear and specific performance standards for native wetland buffers will also be included. WSB 1SW( �,a•,. e,�, Proposed Work Plan 4 ROSEMOUNT MINNESOTA This task will also include a wetland ordinance to clearly define and clarify the roles of City Staff and City Council relating to administering the Wetland Conservation Act. Additionally, the current plan does not address the City's general preference to require replacement of wetlands within the City. The updated Plan will provide clear language pertaining to wetland replacement performance standards and a prioritization strategy for siting wetland replacement. The updated Plan will provide alternative solutions and requirements in the event that a wetland replacement plan fails. As part of this task, WSB will deliver a final presentation to the City Council and attend two meetings with City staff. It is our understanding that the Plan update constitutes minor amendments to the City's Wetland Management Plan and therefore will not require comprehensive review and approval by BWSR or other agencies. However, to be consistent with local, State, and Federal wetland management goals, the respective agencies will be invited, at the discretion and request of the City, to provide informal comment and input to the update. As per WCA rule, the amendments must be sent to those required to receive notice and the Board of WAter and Soil Resources (BWSR) must agree that the amendments are minor or fail to act within sixty days of receipt of the amendments. This Scope of Services does not include putting the Plan updates through the formal agency review and approval process. If BWSR deems the amendments to be major, we will discuss additional costs with the City that may be required for the formal process. TASK 2 - UPDATE AND ENHANCE GIS WSB will work closely with City GIS staff to implement this task, which will update the current GIS -based map to incorporate recent changes in the jurisdictional status of several basins within the City. Some areas previously identified as wetland have been formally deemed non - wetland. Conversely, wetlands not identified on the current Plan's wetland map have been delineated as jurisdictional wetland. This task will also include creating an active GIS database that can be continuously updated and refined as new information is obtained. The most recent wetland mitigation sites and future mitigation sites will be added to the GIS database so the City can effectively manage its mitigation areas. WSB Inc Proposed Work Plan El 4 ROSEMOUNT MINNESOTA TASK 3 - UPDATE PLAN TO INCORPORATE VNRAM AND WHEP The current plan manages wetlands based on functional ratings that were attributed to each assessed wetland using the Rosemount Wetland Functional Assessment (RoseWFA), completed in 1997 and 1998. While the RoseWFA provided informative data at the time, the State standard for wetland assessment has become the Minnesota Routine Assessment Method (MnRAM). The updated Plan will replace RoseWFA with MnRAM. MnRAM is a comprehensive assessment of both a wetland's function and value, and can be directly associated with WCA policies in implementing the City's Plan. The MnRAM is continuously updated to incorporate new science as it applies to wetlands, and the management classification system of MnRAM can be customized per a City's requirements. Additionally, because MnRAM is in an electronic format, performing pre /post project assessments or assessing new wetlands is much more efficient that the current paper -based RoseWFA. The updated Plan will incorporate MnRAM and will include language that would require wetland assessments be performed using MnRAM instead of RoseWFA. The City is actively involved in the Wetland Health Evaluation Program and has a dedicated team of volunteers who monitoring selected wetlands within the City. Rosemount values the data the WHEP team gathers and the updated Plan will incorporate the results of the WHEP program into managing its wetland resources, where applicable. TASK 4 -TASK FORCE AND PUBLIC HEARING A Plan Update Task Force, as defined and developed by the City, will meet up to three times to discuss changes to the Plan and see that the content of the Plan meets the needs of the City, as well as the requirements of the WCA. As per WCA Rule, making minor updates to an approved Wetland Management Plan requires holding one public hearing. This task includes setting up and attending one public hearing to involve the public in the update process. This task includes up to two meetings with agency representatives. These agency meetings could occur concurrently with City staff meetings listed in Task 1. WSB Proposed Work Plan 3 4 ROSEMOUNT MINNESOTA Cost Estimate WSB & Associates will provide the services as outlined in the Scope of Services listed previously. A summary of the costs for each phase of the project is as follows: 1. Update Plan and Incorporate WHEP $ 8,470 2. GIS Update $ 2,970 3. Task Force and Public Hearing $ 4,920 Total Proposed Fee $16,360 Work outside the scope identified in this proposal will be billed at WSB's standard rates for 2012 (attached). WSB x .4s30c ;u«,. In, Cost Estimate 4 4 ROSEMOLINT MINNESOTA 2012 Billing Rate /Hour Costs associated with word Principal $137 processing, cell phones, Associate $128 reproduction of common correspondence and mailing Project Manager $107 $114 $121 are included in the hourly Project Engineer $94 $99 $107 $114 $121 rates. Vehicle mileage Graduate Engineer $79 $84 $89 is normally included in our billing rates, but can Planner $72 be charged separately if Engineering Specialist $89 $99 $107 $114 specifically outlined by Engineering Technician $49 $56 $62 $68 $79 contract. Scientist $56 $62 $68 Reimbursable expenses Construction Observer $79 $84 1$89 1$94 1$99 include costs associated Coring Crew with plan, specification and report reproduction, permit One Person Crew $145 fee, delivery cost, etc. Two- Person Crew $220 Survey Crew Rate schedule is adjusted annually. One- Person Crew $1 10 Two - Person Crew $144 Each staff person is Three- Person Crew $168 assigned one billing rate Office Technician $33 $62 $72 that is commensurate with their experience and J expertise. Multiple rates illustrate the varying levels of experience within each category. WSB Cost Estimate 5 A F, , )f. ;^ }j` r4.," - a - - ., , -. , F' •� , • ' , . r �; rat +, 'it If .. f r f , � 1 'P a / i 1 P ` ' � r - -' -' v u ? „ , ' + t f`a "Ni'li el 4 i R "`�� I` s ! i� r:, /y �.. � .. �Y. ,, +. ' r ' + . ,.. . c � ,� t t v. E . k Du i,‘)". , : ,�LR i. S : ,.� E r • ' -- . ' U 'r . ., t ! _ 4 � r F., t /l e & . ro 'r f + i . -, G r p i t , j h 7 , �' ' , 'd T !Y r l i ¢ y , �r. r PP ��' , r' � t t , f ' � f . r �' h � y Vic. , A I ■ ` t I 4 f I (, r q � 1' ,k • ; 9 e f, ^ , p � .. » '0/ { -1 # ,�,'f f ii'' s 1 l i .x ; -t . � , r - 7 ��,,� 4 ' . 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