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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024.03.25 UC RM Minutes ROSEMOUNT UTILITY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING PROCEEDINGS MARCH 25, 2024 CALL TO ORDER Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a regular meeting of the Rosemount Utility Commission was held on Monday, March 25, 2024, at 5:30 PM in Rosemount Council Chambers, 2875 145th Street West. Commission Chair Johnson called the meeting to order with Commissioner Demuth. Commissioner Miller was absent. Staff present included the following: Mayor Weisensel, City Administrator Logan Martin, and Public Works Director Nick Egger. ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO AGENDA Commissioner Demuth requested to add an item to Old Business, 6.B Manganese Update, and that this item be a standing agenda item under Old Business going forward. AUDIENCE INPUT None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 4.a. November 27, 2023, Utility Commission Meeting Minutes Commissioner Demuth abstained from approval of meeting minutes as she was not in attendance at the November 27, 2023, meeting. This item will be tabled until the next meeting as a quorum is not present. PRESENTATION None. OLD BUSINESS 6.a. 2023 Water Efficiency and Stormwater Rebate Recap Director Egger noted that there was less rebate activity in 2023. The storm water portion has low activity with rain gardens and rain barrels being the primary focus of activity. The current grant period ends June 30, 2024, and the city is in the process of applying for the next 2-year grant period which starts July 1, 2024. The city will continue to promote the rebate program to residents on multiple platforms. Additionally, the city recently received notice that the Vermillion River Watershed Joint Power Organization (VRWJPO) has discontinued their HOA audit program. In response, the City is developing a program to reimburse HOAs and multifamily residential properties for a portion of the costs to have an irrigation audit performed by a certified irrigation auditor. HOA and multifamily properties that are accepted into the program will also be offered a modest grant to pay for a portion of the costs to implement improvements recommended in the audit performed. 6.b. Manganese Outreach Commissioner Demuth requested that the item "Manganese Outreach" be added to the agenda and that it be a standing item under Old Business on all future agendas. The commission has asked the city to create an informational insert on manganese in drinking water to be sent with city utility billings. Staff will discuss internally the best option for outreach to residents and will report back to the commission. NEW BUSINESS 7.a. Summary of Utility Related Inquires and Concerns Reported by Residents in 2023 The commission reviewed the summary of utility related issues and concerns reported by residents in 2023. It was noted that the majority of items are shut off requests and HOA irrigation issues. The commission would also like to see the numbers for watering violations in 2023. Staff will reach out to Code Enforcement for this information. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT 8.a. 2023 Well Pumping Report & 2024 Well Pumping Report for January and February The amount pumped in 2023 exceeded the annual amount of the city's DNR Well Appropriation Permit. This resulted in the city paying an additional fee for going over the permitted amount. It is likely the overage in the annual amount pumped is related to the ongoing drought in the area coupled with continued development. With construction of a new well slated for 2025, staff are working to apply for an increase to the annual appropriation permit. Mayor Weisensel noted an error on page 10 of the agenda packet for the 2024 Well Pumping Record. The total amount noted in the 2023 column does not match that of page 9. The 2023 Well Pumping Record appears to have a formulaic error on the spreadsheet. 8.b. 2023 City Water Usage City water usage increased about 25% compared to 2022, likely due to continued drought conditions. Staff highlighted a notable decrease in water usage at the splash pad attributed to the reduced hours of operation in response to the state's drought monitoring directive. Commissioners inquired about city park irrigation and what the city is doing to reduce irrigation needs. Irrigation of athletic fields is necessary. However, staff will continue to seek ways to reduce water consumption on athletic fields. Additionally, the city is working to incorporate more perennials and natives, and fewer annuals in its plantings, which will reduce watering needs. Mayor Weisensel inquired about the potential conversion to artificial turf at the Flint Hills athletic fields due to increased irrigation needs caused by soil conditions. He suggested a cost analysis comparing the expenses of irrigation and maintenance of natural turf with those of installing and maintaining artificial turf. Staff will contact the Parks & Recreation Director to determine if such an analysis has been conducted previously. Commissioner Demuth expressed interest in revisiting the discussion on drilling an irrigation well for the athletic fields. Staff will consult with the Parks & Recreation Director regarding any prior evaluations of this option. 8.c. 10-Year Summary of City Water Consumption City water usage has been increasing each year as new athletic fields and buildings have been added. Staff noted that our irrigation specialist on staff continues to look for ways to improve city irrigation systems by reducing water usage as these systems are repaired or updated as needed. 8.d. Action Item / Issues list The Commissioners were interested in learning more about what grass species were being used for ground cover in new parks, suggesting that tall fescue have a presence due to its tolerance for dryer conditions. Staff will reach out to the Parks & Recreation department to learn more about the planting plans for new parks and report back at a future date. 8.e. Set Next Meeting Agenda – June 24, 2024 None. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Utility Commission at the regular commission meeting and upon a motion by Johnson and a second by Demuth, the meeting was adjourned at 6:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Amy Simonson Recording Secretary