MINUTES OF THE WORKSHOP MEETING OF

THE MINNEHAHA CREEK WATERSHED DISTRICT

BOARD OF MANAGERS

October 22, 2009

CALL TO ORDER

The workshop meeting of the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District Board of Managers was called to order by President Jim Calkins at 6:55 p.m. at the District offices, 18202 Minnetonka Boulevard, Deephaven, Minnesota.

MANAGERS PRESENT

James Calkins, Pam Blixt, Lee Keeley, Richard Miller, Jeffrey Casale, Mike Klingelhutz, and Brian Shekleton.

MANAGERS ABSENT

None.

OTHERS PRESENT

Renae Clark, District Projects Manager; James Wisker, District Planner/Program Manager; Udai Singh, Water Quality Program Manager; Mark Ten Eyck, Land Conservation Program Manager. Nat Kale, Planner/GIS Specialist; Michael Panzer, District Consulting Engineer; Louis Smith, District Counsel.

MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR

None.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

It was moved by Manager Klingelhutz, seconded by Manager Blixt, to approve the agenda as distributed.  Upon vote, the motion carried.

CONSENT AGENDA

It was moved by Manager Blixt, seconded by Manager Keeley, to approve the Consent Agenda, including the Minutes of October 15, 2009, and approval of the Investment Policy.  Upon vote, the motion carried.

Committee Task Force Reports

The managers reviewed the upcoming committee meeting schedule.

BOARD DISCUSSION ITEMS

 

Review of Gray’s Bay Dam Operation

Mr. Panzer presented a review of the history and operation of the dam of Lake Minnetonka at the Gray’s Bay outlet.  He noted that the planning discussions around the vision for Minnehaha Creek led to consideration of ways in which a more natural, continuous flow of the Creek could be promoted through operation of the dam. He also noted that the Creek is currently the subject of a TMDL study to address aquatic life impairments and other issues.  Dr. Udai Singh mentioned that this TMDL study would be available in about six months for consideration by the Board of Managers.  Following discussion, the Board of Managers decided to take this matter under advisement, and await a report on the TMDL study. 

Minnehaha Creek Volume Reduction

 

Mr. Panzer presented a review of the storm sewer outfalls in Minnehaha Creek.  He reviewed potential project concepts to address water quality and creek impairments, flood prevention and mitigation, and creek flow issues, noting that these could be competing objectives.  The managers discussed the need to develop a comprehensive plan to address these issues, noting that redevelopment could be a critical context in which these issues are addressed.  The managers also expressed concern that the current revision of the stormwater rule, Rule N, may not be fully adequate to address these redevelopment scenarios.

Following discussion, the Board of Managers directed that the staff work to explore a partnership with the City of Minneapolis in order to develop a plan to integrate these various policy objectives, with the suggestion of focusing on one subwatershed as a possible demonstration.  President Calkins said that he would work with Mr. Evenson to develop a proposed timetable and approach to this partnership effort.

Minnehaha Glen Project Update

Ms. Renae Clark and Mr. Panzer presented a review of the status of the various project elements at the Minnehaha Glen, along with a financial review of current and projected project costs.  Ms. Clark also reviewed the status of discussions to address the Section 106 review of cultural resource issues, and Mr. Dean Sathre described some of the challenges in the scope of investigation of historic and cultural issues in the Glen. 

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, the workshop meeting of the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District Board of Managers was adjourned at 9:55 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Lee Keeley, Secretary