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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20190520 UC Minutes UTILITY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES May 20, 2019 CALL TO ORDER Pursuant to due call and notice thereof the regular Utility Commission meeting of the City of Rosemount was called to order on May 20, 2019, at 5:30 p.m. in the Upper Conference Room, City Hall, 2875 145th Street West, Rosemount. Commissioner Demuth called meeting to order with Commissioners Cahn and Rome, Mayor Droste, City Administrator Martin, Public Works Director/City Engineer Erickson, Recording Secretary Barikmo, and guest Bill Alms from WSB and Associates. ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO AGENDA None AUDIENCE INPUT APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Rome Second by Cahn Motion to approve the minutes of the April 15, 2019 Utility Commission meeting. Motion carried. PUBLIC HEARINGS OLD BUSINESS 6.a. Rain Garden Rebate Erickson gave a brief summary of the rebate program. Staff is recommending that the City look at the City of Northfield’s policy. Demuth mentioned that the City of Apple Valley is reimbursing up to $500 for rain gardens. Demuth and Erickson explained that they were not familiar with how much installation of a rain garden costs. Demuth added that rain gardens will only work if there is a curb cut. Erickson acknowledged that curb cutting will be a large expense. Erickson explained that this will have to go to City Council since the rebate will be revenue that is lost from the Stormwater Utility Fund. Rebates will be given on a first come, first served basis. The program will continue until $5,000 in rebates has been issued. Rebate will be a one-time credit on the resident’s utility bill. Cahn asked if staff will be reviewing the rain barrels, rain gardens, or native plantings. Erickson informed the Commission that the new Storm Water Specialist, Jane Byron, has started as of May 20, 2019. Jane previously worked for the City of Apple Valley. Erickson added that Jane will be included on reviewing the rain gardens and native plantings. Cahn questioned if it would be necessary for staff to inspect a rain barrel. Erickson and commissioners agreed that it would be appropriate if the resident sent in a photo of the installed rain barrel with their receipts. Demuth expressed concerns about the existing rain gardens on Danbury Way and what is being done to educate homeowners. If education is needed, a company based out of Minneapolis, Metro Blooms, will work with homeowners for a small fee. Mayor Droste expressed concerns about who will be testing the soils in the yards to see if it is capable of sustaining a rain garden. Erickson explained that staff will not be completing soil samples. Staff will only be looking at whether the rain garden is functioning or not. Martin suggested that the City be ready for a rain barrel rebate but investigate more into the rain gardens and native plantings. In Washington County, residents are able to purchase discounted rain barrels through the County. Demuth added that Dakota County residents can purchase rain barrels through the Recycling Association of Minnesota annual sale. Demuth suggested that the rebate be updated for the native plantings to include plants or seeds. Residents must submit a picture of the planted seeds/plants with their receipt. Native plantings are a one-time rebate, even if the resident installs native plantings every year. Cahn added that the City of Eagan took a strong approach and mailed letters to all of their residents. The letters stated that if the residents agreed to maintain the rain garden, the city would install it. It was a successful program due to having a consistent style of installation. Demuth suggested that staff target residences in areas that could make a difference. Bill Alms, Water Resource Project Manager with WSB & Associates, explained if there is a water quality focus, the project could be organized for key locations to achieve the greatest impact. Alms expressed concern about curb cutting at random locations since it could affect drainage patterns. With the amount of the current grant, Alms recommended the City target residences to install rain gardens within their yards and not do curb cuts. Erickson explained that the City has funding in the Stormwater budget for programs that could be used to target pond shorelines. Programs could be focused on pond dredging, clearing of inlets and outlets, etc. Demuth explained there is a subdivision off of Connemara Trail where the homes are designed to have a down spout lead right onto the driveway. She had requested that staff review home designs several years ago to avoid this issue. She suggested that these homes be included in a rebate so they can move their down spout to direct to the grass. Demuth expressed that it would reduce impact on the stormwater system. Erickson requested that the Commission approve the item the way it is and the Commission can always revisit in a year or so to make revisions. Demuth questioned whether or not the residents should attend a rain garden workshop as part of the rebate requirements. Erickson stated that he does not want to place too many requirements on the rebate. On the rebate application, it can state that staff will be available for guidance. Motion by Cahn Second by Rome Motion to approve the Rain Garden Rebate. Motion carried. NEW BUSINESS 7.a. Stormwater Discussion Erickson introduced guest speaker, Bill Alms, Water Resource Project Manager with WSB and Associates. Alms has been the City’s stormwater consultant for roughly 6 years. One of Alms’s duties is overseeing Municipal Separate Stormwater Sewer Systems (MS4) compliance. At the end of 2018, WSB completed a water quality report for the City. The report included water quality parameters: total suspended solids (TSS), total phosphorous, ortho-phosphate, and chlorides. Alms reviewed the water level trends of various ponds within Rosemount. There is an increasing water level trend. This is not a Rosemount-specific issue; it is State wide. There has been 5-6 years of above average rainfall. If water levels stay high for too long, the City implements temporary pumping action. Alms briefly discussed the water used at the splash pad. In the planning stages of the splash pad, staff and WSB had discussed what would be done with the water, whether it be recycled or directed into a pond. The end result was directing it to Erickson Pond. Erickson Pond showed good infiltration rates. The wetland next to the pond also showed signs of benefiting from the additional water. Cahn questioned whether Alms has seen long term trends in the water quality. During the five-year period, Alms stated that they have noticed that some ponds have higher water quality than others but nothing substantial. Demuth inquired about when the final report was given to the City. Alms stated that it was sent in April 2019. Demuth requested that the commissioners receive the report as well to review. The City of Rosemount currently has about 160 stormwater ponds and 200 wetlands. The number of ponds sampled in Rosemount is not prescribed by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). Demuth asked if things should be kept the same moving forward or if more samples should be completed. Alms stated that it would not be necessary to increase the number of basins being monitored but would recommend shifting study locations now that there has been further development. WSB’s contract ended at the end of 2018. Demuth questioned who was monitoring the water bodies in late winter & early spring 2019. Alms stated that an extension of the contract had been submitted for early 2019. WSB has not monitored the water bodies since December 2018. Alms believes that 2019 chloride samples were covered under the 2018 contract. Demuth requested Alms opinion on chloride and aquatic life. Alms stated that one of the purposes of stormwater ponds is to collect contaminates that come off sub watershed. The initial spikes of chloride during the snow melt period are expected. It is more concerning to see sustained chloride levels or mid- season spikes. The MS4 permit requires the City to assess maintenance and development inspection. The Storm Water Asset Management Program (SWAMP) was designed by WSB for their MS4 clients. It has been implemented in 25 different communities. SWAMP is a way to rate stormwater ponds. All ponds start out at a rating of 100. After the pond is inspected, points are there then deducted based on different issues. The score lets staff know when an inspection or maintenance is needed. The program will also help staff cost optimize for pond maintenance. Since 2015, WSB completed about 25 basin inspections. From that list, there are about 11 basins that need varying degrees of maintenance. WSB has a prioritized list of basins for the next maintenance project as a result of SWAMP. Demuth asked what the likelihood was for a pond on the list to be dredged. Erickson explained that there is some funding in the Stormwater Utility budget for one pond in 2019. This pond is located off of 124th Court. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT 8.a. City Projects Update Erickson gave an overview of some of the ongoing projects within the city. - 2018-13 – Dunmore 2 – This private residential development west of MN TH 3 and south of 132nd Street will construct 25 of the planned total of 87 single family homes. Work includes street and utility installation. Work has not started. - 2018-19 – Greystone 8 – This is the final phase of the Greystone development east of Akron Avenue and south of Bonaire Path and will construct 56 of the planned total of 287 single family homes. Work includes street and utility installation. This project began in 2019. - 2019-09 – Prestwick Place 19 – This private residential development west of Akron Avenue and north of Connemara Trail will construct 35 single family homes. Work includes street and utility installation. This project is planned to begin in 2019. - 2018-20 Meadow Ridge 2– This private residential development approximately ½ mile north of Bonaire Path on the west side of Akron Avenue and will construct 29 of the planned total of 154 single family homes. Work includes street and utility installation. This project began in 2019. 8.b. Set Next Meeting Agenda for June 17, 2019. Demuth requested that the WSB Pond Maintenance Report be added for discussion at the next meeting along with water conservation efforts. Cahn requested that utility rates be discussed at the next meeting and share what other cities are doing. Cahn provided Erickson with the City of Woodbury and Lakeville rates and requested that it go out with the agenda. Erickson explained that utility rates will be discussed at the August meeting with the Public Works Coordinator, Christine Watson. OTHER UPDATES ADJOURNMENT Demuth adjourned the meeting at 7:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Jessie Barikmo Public Works Secretary