MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF

THE MINNEHAHA CREEK WATERSHED DISTRICT

BOARD OF MANAGERS

July 1, 2010

CALL TO ORDER

The regular meeting of the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District Board of Managers was called to order by President James Calkins at 6:50 p.m. at the District offices, 18202 Minnetonka Boulevard, Deephaven, Minnesota. 

MANAGERS PRESENT

James Calkins, Brian Shekleton, Lee Keeley, Richard Miller, Pam Blixt and Jeff Casale.

MANAGER ABSENT

Mike Klingelhutz.

OTHERS PRESENT

Eric Evenson, District Administrator; David Mandt, District Operations Manager; James Wisker, District Planner/Program Coordinator; Steve Christopher, Regulatory Program Manager; Michael Panzer, District Consulting Engineer; Louis Smith, District Counsel.

MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR

None.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Mr. Evenson requested the addition of authorization of the website consultant contract as Item 10.3 on the agenda.  It was moved by Manager Shekleton, seconded by Manager Keeley, to approve the agenda with this change.  Upon vote, the motion carried.

CONSENT AGENDA

It was moved by Manager Keeley, seconded by Manager Shekleton to approve the Consent Agenda, including the approval of the minutes of June 17, 2010, and approval of the final 09-DL-3 Feasibility Study.  Upon vote, the motion carried

REGULAR AGENDA

Committees and Task Force Reports

Information Technology Committee:

Manager Shekleton reported on meetings of the IT Committee on June 22 and June 28, which included a computer system review and identification of server problems, as well as a review of the scope of services for the website consultant.  The next meeting of the IT Committee will be July 27, at 5:00 p.m., in St. Louis Park City Hall.

Citizens Advisory Committee:

Manager Shekleton reported that the CAC had a good discussion of the stormwater rule policies as well as options for a grant program to support stormwater improvements.  The CAC also considered whether it was appropriate for the watershed to speak to concerns about the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Finance Committee:

Manager Miller reported that the Finance Committee met to review engineering expenses over the past five years, similar to the review of legal expenses.  The committee’s review indicated that engineering expenses have been fairly consistent, with occasional spikes of increases based upon capital project initiatives.  Often the District has not been fully billed for all of the services it has received.  The committee also recommended the administrator develop a procedure to facilitate the review of project development, planning and design, and implementation in a coordinated fashion.  Manager Miller noted that Manager Klingelhutz attended the committee meeting and was very supportive of the findings and process recommendations.

MAWD Tour:

Manager Calkins reported on attendance at the annual summer tour of the Minnesota Association of Watershed Districts, hosted by the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District.  The tour was well organized and well attended, and demonstrated innovative stormwater management techniques. 

Manager Miller noted that with the recent storms he was impressed with the performance of local stormceptor facilities in Edina.  Following discussion of options to promote the installation and use of such facilities, it was moved by Manager Keeley, seconded by Manager Miller, to direct the staff to review these issues and develop recommendations that would combine support for stormceptor and other facility innovation with parking lot management.  Manager Keeley requested that the Gleason Lake Association president be contacted to solicit her ideas on this matter.  Upon vote, the motion carried. 

Mr. Evenson noted that the Minnehaha Creek cleanup event will be on July 11, and that he will work with managers to schedule future meetings of the Personnel Committee, the Awards Committee, and the Hopkins redevelopment team, which tentatively will be scheduled for July 13 at 6:00 p.m.

BOARD ACTION ITEMS

Bushaway/County Road 101 Engineering Contract:

Mr. Evenson reviewed the request for board action to authorize the retention of Barr Engineering to provide design review on this project.  Manager Keeley commented on the strong cooperative spirit among the parties in working on innovative design solutions for this project to address both transportation and water resource needs.  Following discussion, it was moved by Manager Shekleton, seconded by Manager Miller, to authorize the District administrator to retain Barr Engineering pursuant to the proposed scope of services.  Upon vote, the motion carried.

Authorization for Creed Interactive for Website Design and Information Architecture Services:

Mr. David Mandt appeared before the Board of Managers and reviewed a request for board action to engage Creed Interactive to design the MCWD website for a fee for Phase I of theses services not to exceed $10,050.  Manager Casale and Manager Shekleton commented that the District’s website was in serious need of updating and overall design.  Managers Calkins and Keeley expressed concern with the open-ended nature of the contemplated design process.  Manager Shekleton explained that the purpose of this first phase of work would be to address initial design issues that would bring greater scope and definition to the project overall.  Nevertheless, it likely reflects a substantial commitment of resources.  Mr. Evenson stated that staff will provide recommendations on a process for identifying and authorizing these costs.  Manager Miller indicated that this work reflected an important investment by the District to provide an effective portal to the public for its work.  It was moved by Manager Keeley, seconded by Manager Miller, to approve the request for board action and Resolution 10-53, authorizing a contract with Creed Interactive for an amount not to exceed $10,050.  Upon vote, the motion carried.

BOARD DISCUSSION ITEMS

Steiger Lake Draft Feasibility Study:  

Mr. James Wisker appeared before the Board of Managers and presented the draft findings of the feasibility study for improvement of water quality in Steiger Lake.  The managers discussed the various project alternatives in terms of their cost and water quality benefits, and inquired about whether Steiger Lake homeowners and area residents as well as the Victoria City Council have expressed an interest yet in the project.  Mr. Wisker explained that the next step would be for the District to present this feasibility study to the community and City Council for their input and recommendations.  Ms. Lisa Goddard, SRF Consulting, reviewed the water quality benefits for Steiger Lake from the various options.  Manager Calkins expressed concern about continuing the channeled ditch through the wetland and inquired about options to enhance the restoration of wetland vegetation at the site.  Through general discussion, the managers indicated that alternatives one and three would be less preferred, and an additional alternative with greater enhancement of vegetation restoration should be considered.

Following discussion, it was moved by Manager Shekleton, seconded by Manager Keeley, to approve the feasibility study and concept, conditioned upon positive feedback from the City of Victoria.  Mr. Smith reviewed the legal aspects of the capital project development process.  Following further discussion, it was moved by Manager Shekleton, seconded by Manager Keeley, to amend the original motion and provide instead that the District proceed to obtain input from a community meeting and a presentation to the Victoria City Council, then report back on the results of these meetings and relevant information gathered to the Board of Managers.  Upon vote, the motion on the amendment carried.  Upon vote, the motion as amended carried.

Floc Systems Overview:

Mr. Wisker and Mr. Panzer introduced Ms. Rebecca Kluckhohn to provide an overview an analysis of floc systems for treating water quality.  Ms. Kluckhohn explained that this analysis is intended to assist the board in identifying critical questions for determining when the use of alum or other floc systems are appropriate for water quality projects.  The managers thanked Ms. Kluckhohn for her presentation.

Stormwater Rule Discussion:

Mr. James Wisker appeared before the Board of Managers and reviewed key issues in developing amendments to the District stormwater rule.  Mr. Wisker reviewed the process for developing proposed recommendations to the rule, including extensive input from the Technical Advisory Committee and the Rulemaking Task Force.  One critical issue has been whether or not single-family homes should be subject to the rule.  Mr. Wisker presented data on the nature of land-use development within the watershed and noted the Technical Advisory Committee and staff recommendation that single-family homes generally not be subject to the stormwater rule requirements.  The managers discussed these issues, as well as alternative means of engaging single-family home owners in voluntary stormwater activities.  Following discussion, it was moved by Manager Blixt, seconded by Manager Shekleton, to direct the staff and legal counsel to proceed to draft amendments to the stormwater rule providing that single-family home sites less then one acre in size not be subject to the rule requirements.  Upon vote, the motion carried.

It was moved by Manager Calkins, seconded by Manager Keeley, to direct the staff and legal counsel to investigate other alternatives for engagement of single-family homeowners in stormwater management activities, including the use of stormwater utilities or partnership activities other than regulation to address stormwater management on parcels of all sizes.  Upon vote, the motion carried.

Manager Calkins noted that there would be an additional meeting of the Board of Managers on July 22 for presentation of project feasibility studies. 

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, the meeting of the Board of Managers adjourned at 11:09 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Lee Keeley, Secretary