Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District Minutes of June 1, 2016 The Regular Meeting of June 1, 2016, was held at the District Office Board Room, 2665 Noel Drive, Little Canada, Minnesota, at 6:30 p.m. PRESENT: Marj Ebensteiner, President Cliff Aichinger, Vice President Bob Johnson, Secretary ALSO PRESENT: Tina Carstens, District Administrator Viet-Hahn Winchell, Attorney for District Nicole Soderholm, Permit Inspector Dave Vlasin, Water Quality Technician Eric Korte, Water Quality Monitoring Coordinator ABSENT: Jen Oknich, Treasurer Dr. Pam Skinner, Manager Paige Ahlborg, Project Manager Brad Lindaman, Barr Engineering Bill Bartodziej, Natural Resource Specialist Jason Wedel, LHB 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by President Ebensteiner at 6:30 p.m. 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion: Bob Johnson moved, Cliff Aichinger seconded, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously 3. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approval of Minutes from May 4, 2016 Motion: Bob Johnson moved, Cliff Aichinger seconded, to approve the consent agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously (Oknich, Skinner absent. 4. TREASURER S REPORT AND BILL LIST Motion: Bob Johnson moved, Cliff Aichinger seconded, to approve the June 1, 2016, bill list as submitted. Motion carried unanimously (Oknich, Skinner absent.). 5. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS None 6. PERMIT PROGRAM Permit #16-20: Hardee s Oakdale Motion: Bob Johnson moved, Cliff Aichinger seconded, to approve Permit #16-20. Motion carried unanimously (Oknich, Skinner absent. Permit #16-21: Tartan High School Field Improvements Oakdale Motion: Bob Johnson moved, Cliff Aichinger seconded, to approve Permit #16-21.
Further discussion was held on recent health concerns reported with artificial turf. Jason Wedel replied that the field would be real grass. Motion carried unanimously Permit #16-22: Woodbury Medical Office Building Woodbury Motion: Cliff Aichinger moved, Bob Johnson seconded, to approve Permit #16-22. Motion carried unanimously Permit #16-23: Central Park Senior Living Roseville Motion: Bob Johnson moved, Cliff Aichinger seconded, to approve Permit #16-23. Motion carried unanimously Oknich, Skinner absent). Permit #16-24: 3M 2016 Utility Project Maplewood Motion: Cliff Aichinger moved, Bob Johnson seconded, to approve Permit #16-24. Motion carried unanimously Permit #16-25: Hmong Village Park Lot Expansion St. Paul Manager Aichinger was surprised that the Park Board would allow park property for private enterprise parking. President Ebensteiner noted that she is a member of the Star Board, and that board contributed funds because the parking is such a hazard as it currently exists. She noted that there was no other alternative for this project. Motion: Bob Johnson moved, Cliff Aichinger seconded, to approve Permit #16-25. Motion carried unanimously Monthly Enforcement Report During May, 18 notices were sent to address: install/maintain inlet protection (4), install/maintain perimeter control (4), install/maintain construction entrance (2), sweep streets (1), stabilize streets (1), stabilize exposed soils (2), contain liquid/solid waste (1), install/maintain energy dissipation (1), and general permit violation (3). 7. BMP INCENTIVE PROGRAM BMP #16-13CS: Phalen Lakeside Center Rain Garden President Ebensteiner noted that the plans for this are beautiful. Paige Ahlborg noted that the applicant worked with Bill Bartodziej, and there will be a second phase as well. Manager Aichinger asked if some paths will be removed. Tina Carstens explained that some of the paths will be realigned. Motion: Bob Johnson moved, Cliff Aichinger seconded, to approve BMP #16-13CS. Motion carried unanimously BMP #16-14CS: Carver Lake Townhomes Two Rain Gardens President Ebensteiner asked why the District should approve this application. Paige stated that one of the Master Water Stewards from the District has been working with townhome associations to develop projects of this nature. She noted that this would be the first phase of their improvements. Manager Aichinger noted that the property has a lot of rooftop and other impervious surfaces and feels that the 50% cost share is a good buy for the District. Tina added that a homeowner association represents a larger group of landowners that can be served. Page 2
Motion: Cliff Aichinger moved, Bob Johnson seconded, to approve BMP #16-14CS. Motion carried unanimously BMP #16-15CS: New Life Academy Porous Pavement The applicant has requested additional funding up to the 75% level of $80,940. Paige stated that staff ran the project through the MIDS (minimal impact design standard) calculator and they do not feel there is enough benefit to contribute beyond $50,000. President Ebensteiner stated that she would agree with the staff recommendation. Motion: Cliff Aichinger moved, Bob Johnson seconded, to approve BMP #16-15CS up to a maximum of $50,000. Motion carried unanimously Budget Status Update Paige noted that there is a lot of money left in the budget. Some of the funds for the church grants will come out of this budget but there are still available funds and the District is looking for more cost-share projects. 8. ACTION ITEMS Beltline and Battle Creek Tunnel Repair Project Review of Bids and Selection of Contractor Brad Lindaman provided a summary of the bids received, noting that staff was happy with the results. He reported that PCI Roads, LLC was the low bidder and noted that they were also the low bidder during the earlier bid opening in December. He noted that the contractor has a great track record on tunnel repairs. He reminded the Board of the engineer s estimate with the alternate, which was $3,053,841. President Ebensteiner referenced the other fixes that the District had talked about and asked if those could be completed at the same time. Brad confirmed that those items are bid alternates that will be included in the motion for approval. He reminded the Board that the work would not begin until December and the contractor would have the option to finish the work over the next winter season as well to provide flexibility. With contingencies, the total project cost is $4 million. Tina stated that next month the bond funding package will be presented. Motion: Cliff Aichinger moved, Bob Johnson seconded, to accept all bids as responsive and award the 2016 Beltline and Battle Creek Tunnel Repairs Project to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder PCI Roads, LLC with a bid of $2,796,769 and bid alternate of $115,872 and to direct staff to prepare and mail the notice of award, prepare the draft agreements and review the required submittals. Motion carried unanimously President Ebensteiner commended staff for their work and for saving the District at least $1,000,000. Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan Annual Report and Public Meeting Tina Carstens stated that this is an annual report that needs to be submitted to the MPCA by the end of June. She noted that an annual opportunity is provided to the public for comments. No comments were received and no one is present tonight to comment. Motion: Bob Johnson moved, Cliff Aichinger seconded, to accept the 2015 MS4 Audit and authorize staff to submit the Annual Report to the MPCA. Motion carried unanimously Watershed Management Plan Budget Adjustment Resolution 16-03 President Ebensteiner stated that this is simply a transfer of $50,000. Tina noted one typo that should state $7,000 rather than $9,000 on Page 1 of the Request for Board Action cover sheet. Page 3
Motion: Bob Johnson moved, Cliff Aichinger seconded, to adopt Resolution #16-03 which reflects the noted correction. Motion carried unanimously 9. PRESENTATION 2015 RWMWD Water Quality Summary Eric Korte Eric provided a brief overview of the water quality program and BMPs that are monitored throughout the District. Ramsey County conducts the monitoring for the lakes within their boundaries, while the District does the monitoring for the lakes in Washington County. He explained that the monitoring is done at the deepest part of the lake, every two weeks between June and September. He noted that an additional sampling is done after ice-off when the chloride level would be the highest. He provided examples of the different trophic states. Water quality is variable from year to year and therefore trending needs to be completed as one year of data would not provide much information. Most of the lakes are showing positive trends, and some have remained neutral, while none of the lakes have shown negative trends in the past ten years. Watercraft inspections are another method for keeping the lakes clean from invasive species, which is a program that Ramsey County began in 2015. Bill Bartodziej provided additional explanation on how grant funds are distributed and how the regulations are set up to determine priority for which lakes will be monitored. Staff will continue to work with the Ramsey Conservation District to determine if Spooner Lake could be added to the list. Eric reviewed information on some of the BMPs throughout the District. The goals set for the alum treatment plant were exceeded, noting that an alternative pumping method was used in 2015 and was more successful. Manager Aichinger asked for a comparison in cost for staff completing the pumping compared to contractors completing the work. Eric estimated that the District saved about $15,000 by completing the work in-house. He highlighted some of the things that staff learned through the pumping process to improve the process in the future. President Ebensteiner thanked Eric for his presentation. 10. ADMINISTRATOR S REPORT Meetings Attended / Upcoming Meetings Tina Carstens highlighted some of the upcoming events, such as the MAWD Summer Tour and WaterFest. July Board Meeting Check-In Tina confirmed with the managers that there were no schedule conflicts for the July 6 th meeting date. District Logo Discussion Tina stated that the packet included the logo and a list of uses for the logo. Manager Aichinger agreed that this would be a fresh start for the logo, as the existing logo was created about 35 years ago. Motion: Cliff Aichinger moved, Bob Johnson seconded, to authorize moving forward with the implementation of the new logo, with the condition that Managers Skinner and Oknich be contacted to confirm consensus. Motion carried unanimously Manager Aichinger asked if the District would be making an announcement of the logo through social media, and also whether the District's sign would be changed. Tina confirmed that there would be a District launch once the logo is ready. Page 4
11. PROJECT AND PROGRAM STATUS REPORTS Item 11-A Presentation Minnesota Stormwater Research Council Cliff Aichinger Manager Aichinger stated that he gave this presentation at the April Metro MAWD meeting. He provided background on research issues beginning with the MN Stormwater Steering Committee, formed in 2004. In 2008, the Stormwater Roadmap was commissioned to establish a path that a community would follow to create an integrated statewide management system. However, it was not endorsed by the implementing agencies. The roadmap action items included: coordinating research results to maintain a repository of research results, identify research needs/set priorities, and to disseminate the information to key parties. Following the disbanding of the Steering Committee in 2013, an ad hoc group of interested professionals confirmed a need to form a Stormwater Research Council and began to define the needs and organizational structure. The goal would be to develop a nonprofit organization, seeking organizational support to provide interim funding, and ultimately, looking to the Clean Water Council for the original source of funding. Tina Carstens stated that the District budgeted $100,000 the previous year in collaboration with two other watersheds (Minnehaha Creek and Mississippi WMO) to do something similar, but on a much smaller scale, and noted that the collaboration did not get off the ground. Manager Aichinger asked for feedback from the Board. Manager Johnson agreed that the project is necessary as the District needs a method to get research done. He also agrees with the group formation of the research council but would strongly object if there is no ownership of the intellectual output. If the District is contributing funds, the District needs assurances of what they are getting out of it. President Ebensteiner stated that without a statewide framework in place, it is not clear what action the Board can take. She believed that funding would be looked at once the research council is actually created. She noted that a larger source of reliable funding should be found rather than simply attempting to find $50,000 here and there. Tina commented that this item can be discussed further at the next meeting as part of the FY17 budget discussions. Item 11-B, New Project Work Plans, Aquifer Recharge Site Evaluation and Prioritization Tina stated that staff is submitting a grant application to complete this work, which would be a follow up from the work that was done the last year. Staff are now looking for actual sites where we can do enhanced infiltration projects. Item 11-C, Ongoing Project and Program Updates i. Subwatershed Studies ii. Atlas 14 Flood Planning iii. North Owasso Living Streets iv. Pond Performance Study v. Macrophyte Harvesting vi. Management Plan Update vii. CMAC Pilot Test viii. Retrofit Projects ix. Frost/Kennard Treatment x. 2016 CIP Maintenance/Repairs xi. New Technology Review xii. Natural Resources Program xiii. Education Program Page 5
12. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS The MPR articles on algae blooms and blue green algae generated discussion. 13. REPORTS OF MANAGERS None 14. ADJOURN Motion: Bob Johnson moved, Cliff Aichinger seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 8:21 p.m. Motion carried unanimously Respectfully submitted, Robert E. Johnson, Secretary Page 6