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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4.a. June 19, 2017 Minutes UTILITY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES June 19, 2017 CALL TO ORDER Pursuant to due call and notice thereof the regular Utility Commission meeting of the City of Rosemount th was called to order on June 19, 2017, at 5:30 p.m. in the Conference Room of the City Hall, 2875 145 Street West, Rosemount. Commissioner Connolly called the meeting to order with Commissioner Demuth and Nelson, City Administrator Martin, Public Works Interim Director John Morast, Public Works Coordinator Christine Watson, Recording Secretary Erin Fasbender. ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO AGENDA None AUDIENCE INPUT APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Nelson Second by Demuth Motion to approve the minutes of the April 17, 2017 Utility Commission meeting with the understanding that on page 2 “Surface Water Protection Plan” will take the place of “Drinking Water Surface Protection Plan” Ayes: 2. Nays: 0. Absent: 0. Motion carried. 5. OLD BUSINESS 5.a. MCES Water Efficiency Rebate Morast provided an overview of the current status of the Metropolitan Council (MCES). The initial grant amount of $9,000 was used up before the program ended; The Met Council encouraged Rosemount to apply for additional funding being other cities were not as successful in depleting their funds. MCES awarded the city an additional $20,000 to reimburse for any additional rebates that are submitted to us by June 30, 2017. The Minnesota Legislature did not approve funding for this program beyond June 30, 2017 as staff had anticipated. However, due to the success of the program in Rosemount, staff is seeking approval to continue issuing up to $15,000 in additional rebates through December 31, 2017, with the understanding that no further reimbursement will be coming from the Met Council after June 30. Morast discussed it is important to note that no additional money is actually needed since the rebates are not “paid out” but rather given in the form of a credit on the customers’ utility bills. This will result in a minor loss of revenue to the Water Utility Fund. Morast asked the commissioners to discuss this model to get their thoughts on whether or not we should continue the program. Demuth suggested we focus solely on irrigation systems since this where the most water savings can come from. Demuth also suggested we look at what other cities do, for instance Woodbury offers rebates for irrigation controllers. The city of Woodbury purchases them in bulk and then sells them to residents. st Connolly is suggesting continuing the program and then re-evaluating the program after December 31. We can determine if the continuation of the program is suitable for Rosemount. A question rose regarding Rosemount’s watering ordinances, i.e. watering on odd/even days. Commissioner Demuth would like to see any dramatic trends through the data water usage from the past few years. Watson proposed staff can get this information although there may be several variables; number of household members, property ownership, etc. Motion by Connolly Second by Nelson Motion to recommend to City Council approval to continue the water rebate program through December 31, 2017 or until $15,000 in additional rebates has been issued 6. NEW BUSINESS 6.a. Surface Water Management Plan – Wachter Pond Update Morast provided an update of the Stormwater Management Plan as staff has received several complaints on several ponds. One of the ponds we have received several complaints on is Wachter Pond which is a th stormwater collection pond for the drainage area west of Robert Trail, roughly south of 140 St W and north of Chippendale Ave W. The several complaints were in regards to debris, water level, outlet, rip rap, and maintenance frequency. Wachter Pond currently does not have an outlet for stormwater. It has an 8-foot “bounce” in typical water to the high water elevation. From a city’s perspective Wachter pond is operating in the manner it was designed and expected to, from an operational perspective. Although many residents view and use our larger stormwater ponds as an amenity and have higher level of expectations for maintenance. Staff will continue to review the stormwater program and work with residents to define the intent, use and maintenance of stormwater ponds, along with identifying opportunities to partner and develop ways to both continue effectively maintaining stormwater functions while providing residents means to provide their own higher level of maintenance as an amenity. The residents near Wachter Pond have been very willing to partner with the city, and Morast believes Wachter Pond would be a good pilot program and then expand to other stormwater ponds throughout the city. Commissioner Connolly is interested in knowing what the biggest year to year bounce is at Wachter Pond. Morast will continue to work with Wachter residents and keep us in the loop on the plan going forward. 6.b. 2017 Metropolitan Council Green Infrastructure Pilot Program Application Staff had a request to add this item to the agenda. Commissioner Demuth stated she talked to the contact at Metropolitan Council regarding this application. Demuth confirmed we could put all our projects on one application i.e. Splashpad, Umore Park. Met Council has $1,000,000 available for the pilot program. Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis and the Council may divide the amount among multiple projects. The projects need to be complete by 2019. Vermillion River Watershed applied for this application as well last year and staff could mirror what the application stated. Staff is proposing to find the old application submitted and resubmit it while including additional items. Watson informed all that staff would find the th previous Vermillion application and submit it by July 17 along with getting the application approved by th council on July 5. 7. PRESIDENT’S REPORT None 8. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT 8.a. City Projects Update  Well 16 built by end of this year  2017 Street Improvement Project started today  Greystone 5 is completed and houses are being built  Wells 4 & 5 completed. The original Summit Agreement was to install 4 loggers and Summit has only installed 3 loggers.  Parking lot improvements is underway and should be paved by the end of the week. 9.b. 2017 Well Pumping Report Well 12 is now back online which is our most efficient and cost friendly to operate. Rural 1 is not operating currently and needs to be cleaned and repaired. 10c. Set Next Meeting Agenda for July 17, 2017 OTHER UPDATES ADJOURNMENT Connolly adjourned the meeting at 6:38 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Erin Fasbender Public Works Secretary