MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF
THE MINNEHAHA CREEK WATERSHED DISTRICT
BOARD OF MANAGERS

November 3, 2011

CALL TO ORDER

The regular meeting of the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District Board of Managers was called to order by Manager Pamela Blixt at 6:55 p.m. at the District offices, 18202 Minnetonka Boulevard, Deephaven, Minnesota. 

MANAGERS PRESENT

James Calkins, Lee Keeley, Pam Blixt, Jeffrey Casale and William Olson.

MANAGER ABSENT

Brian Shekleton and Richard Miller.

OTHERS PRESENT

Eric Evenson, District Administrator; James Wisker, District Planner/Program Coordinator; Steve Christopher, Regulatory Program Manager; Leslie Yetka, Education Manager; Mark Ten Eyck, Land Conservation and Restoration Manager; Mat Norton, Land Conservationist; Becky Houdek, Planner Specialist; Tiffany Forner, Natural Resource Technician; Rebecca Kluckhohn, District Consulting Engineer; and Louis Smith, District Counsel.

CITIZEN COMMENTS

None. 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Mr. Evenson requested that a report on the Hennepin County Governance Study be added as item 8.2 to the agenda.  It was moved by Manager Keeley, seconded by Manager Olson, to approve the agenda with this change.  Upon vote, the motion carried.

Introduction of Staff

Mr. Steve Christopher introduced Mr. Joe Barten the new Cost Share Specialist.  The managers welcomed Mr. Barten.

Approval of Minutes

The managers reviewed the minutes of October 27, 2011.  Manager Keeley noted that on page 4 in the second paragraph, seventh line, the word “strong” should be deleted.  Manager Calkins noted that on page 4, in the fourth paragraph, the reference should be to the “selected firms” as there were two firms selected for the next step in the process.  It was moved by Manager Calkins, seconded by Manager Olson, to approve the minutes of October 27 with these changes.  Upon vote, the motion carried.

Board, Committee and Task Force Reports

The managers noted the upcoming committee and task force meetings scheduled. 

Manager Calkins reported that the Violations Committee met at 5:30 p.m. to review the violations at 4300 Oak Road in Minnetrista.  He stated that the Violations Committee would bring its recommendation forward at the next meeting of the Board of Managers on November 10.

Manager Keeley reported that she attended a meeting on lakes and rivers stewardship sponsored by Minnesota Waters, which was well attended and informative. 

Information Items and Correspondence

The managers noted the correspondence items in the packet.  Manager Casale arrived at this point in the meeting (7:08 p.m.)  Manager Keeley inquired about the update on Nokomis Weir Operations and Maintenance.  Manager Blixt stated she also had a question and asked that there be an explanation at next week’s meeting concerning how the creek flow is managed in this process.  The managers reviewed the Clean Water Summit Evaluation and thanked Ms. Yetka for this information.  Manager Olson noted the letter from the Lake Minnetonka Conservation District dated October 31, 2011 thanking the MCWD for its work to remove flowering rush on Smith Bay and Maxwell Bay.

BOARD ACTION ITEMS

Public Hearing and Ordering of Reach 20 Restoration Project

Mr. James Wisker appeared before the Board of Managers and reviewed the final Feasibility Study and Concept Design Report.  He also noted that Mr. Marty Melchior of Inter-Fluve, who prepared the materials, was present to answer any questions.  Manager Blixt opened the public hearing.  Mr. Adam Fulton and Mr. Jim Vaughan of the City of St. Louis Park appeared before the Board of Managers and expressed their support for the project and thanked the Board for the good experience of working with the MCWD staff.  Mr. Wisker also noted that the City Council is expected to act on a resolution of support for the project next week. 

Mr. Evenson asked about how this project would relate to the Environmental Impact Statement scope area for the Southwest LRT project.  Mr. Wisker stated that he will follow up with Hennepin County to obtain this information.

There being no further comments, Manager Blixt closed the public hearing.

Manager Keeley asked if there are any other ways to explore concerns about potential contamination at the site.  Mr. Wisker reviewed the process of gathering data to consider these issues and stated that he felt that the District and consultants had explored all reasonable means of soil testing and analysis.  Following discussion, it was moved by Manager Casale, and second by Manager Keeley, to forward the resolution ordering the Reach 20 project and authorizing the solicitation of proposals for engineering and construction oversight services to the November 10 agenda. 

Manager Calkins inquired about success of vegetation at the Methodist Hospital remeander site. He noted that it would be valuable to identify showy plant species in visible areas for this project.  Manager Blix added that habitat should be an additional consideration.  Upon vote, the motion carried.

Gould Property Restoration

Mr. Matt Norton appeared before the Board of Managers and reviewed the request for board action to authorize the District administrator to enter into agreements and expense funds for restoration activities on the Gould property.  Manager Blixt noted that contamination had been identified at this site and asked whether there has been any remedial activity.  Mr. Norton replied that there has been no remedial activity, and that the proposed restoration work does not affect this issue.  He recommended a briefing on the contamination issue at a future meeting.  Following discussion, it was moved by Manager Casale, seconded by Manager Olson, to forward the resolution authorizing the District Administrator to enter into agreements, expend funds, and take other actions beneficial for land restoration on the Gould property to the agenda of the meeting of November 10.  Upon vote, the motion carried.

Chelsea Mews Permit 11-318

Mr. Steve Christopher appeared before the Board of Managers and reviewed the permit application, recommending approval of the permit with a condition that there be an executed maintenance agreement for the stream bank improvement.  It was moved by Manager Keeley, seconded by Manager Calkins to place this permit on the consent agenda for the meeting of November 10.  Upon vote, the motion carried.

2014 Feasibility Studies

Mr. James Wisker appeared before the Board of Managers and reviewed the request for authorization to solicit proposals for engineering services for the completion of feasibility studies for the Long Lake Creek and Classen Creek projects from the 2012 capital improvement programs.  Following discussion, it was moved by Manager Olson, seconded by Manager Keeley, to place this item on the consent agenda for the November 10 meeting.  Upon vote, the motion carried. 

Dutch Lake Corridor Evaluation

Mr. Mark Ten Eyck appeared before the Board of Managers and introduced Mr. Tony DeMars of Cross River Consulting.  Mr. Ten Eyck and Mr. DeMars reviewed the Dutch Lake Corridor study and the recommended targeting of land conservation efforts in the corridor.  Mr. Ten Eyck informed the Board of Managers that this report would be useful in guiding future land conservation efforts in this area.  The managers thanked Mr. DeMars for his work.

Hennepin County Governance Study

Mr. Eric Evenson reported that he attended a workshop meeting of the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners to review the water resources governance study prepared by the Humphrey Institute.  He noted the key recommendations were that the county be organized in four watersheds with taxing authority.  There was also some discussion about how there could be better coordination with cities.  The Commissioners discussion reflected support for the watershed mission and limited purpose government; some concern about the disparity of activity and taxing authority between watershed districts and joint powers watershed management organizations; a desire for focusing on improved water resources outcomes; frustration for County Board funding votes for watershed management organizations; and a desire to clarify that the County may appoint city council members to watershed district boards.  The managers thanked Mr. Evenson for his report.

Other Business

Manager Blixt inquired about the status of the Painter Creek bird survey, which Mr. Norton reported would be completed in June.  Manager Blixt also inquired about the status of a report on job creation through the capital improvement program.  Mr. Evenson stated that he would follow up on this report.

Closed Session to Discuss Possible Land Conservation Acquisitions

Mr. Mark Ten Eyck requested that the Board of Managers go into closed session to consider possible land conservation acquisitions at the following addresses:

The managers went into closed session.  The managers returned to open session.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, it was moved by Manager Casale, and seconded by Manager Olson, to adjourn the meeting of the Board of Managers at 10:58 p.m.  Upon vote, the motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Lee Keeley, Secretary