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040802 CC Sp Min /"" . . . . CITY OF SHOREWOOD CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2002 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD COUNCIL CHAMBERS 5:45 P.M. MINUTES 1. CONVENE CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING Mayor Love called the Special Meeting to order at 5:59 P.M. A. Roll Call Present: Mayor Love, Councilmembers Turgeon, Garfunkel, Zerby, and Lizee; Administrator Dawson Absent: None B. Review Agenda 2. RILEY-PURGATORY-BLUFF CREEK WATERSHED DISTRICT (RPBCW) PRESENTATION BY BOARD OF MANAGER MEMBERS J. PERRY FORSTER, SUSAN SCRIBNER, AND CONRAD FISKNESS Chair Perry Forster opened the RPBCW presentation with a series of overheads, the first of which, shared the overall Mission Statement of the Watershed District as provided by the Minnesota Legislature. He reviewed the various responsibilities of the Watershed District, which are prioritized due to limited resources. Manager Conrad Fiskness provided a history of the District. The District was first formed in 1969, with an overall plan first prepared in 1972, a second generation update in 1996, and currently, the PRBCW is starting to prepare a third generation plan. Mr. Fiskness showed a map delineating the RPBCW and the portion which includes Shorewood. Although only a small sliver of Shorewood falls within the RPBCW, Mr. Fiskness pointed out that it is an important piece made up of Silver Lake, which is the headwater for one of the branches of Purgatory Creek. An introduction of Managers, District Advisors, and Citizens Advisory Board of the RPBCW followed. Mr. Fiskness pointed out that the District operates without paid staff and hires out services which include Attorneys Krebsbach & Haik, Barr Engineering Company, a CPA, and Lexicon Communications firm. Garfunkel asked how people are chosen to serve on the Citizens Advisory Board. Fiskness stated that anyone who has an interest in environmental issues is invited to join. Often times, people get involved due to a specific concern. Garfunkel added that he felt people were virtually unaware that they could join. Susan Scribner agreed, stating that the Communications Consultant is currently putting together articles to run in the local papers informing the public about the District and inviting them to participate. Ms. Scribner continued the presentation by discussing the administrative budget and what responsibilities fall under that umbrella. While the RPBCW would like to focus its attention on cooperative and special projects, she pointed out that often a good chunk of money is spent on enforcement issues. As a taxing authority, the RPBCW tries to spread the projects around the District since the entire district comprises the tax base. Ms. Scribner mentioned other funds, including the Basic Water Management fund for projects, the 509 Plan fund which pays to implement projects, the Streamwater Maintenance and Repair Fund which can be carried over from year to year, and finally, the Survey and Data Acquisition Fund which operates like "seed funding". ,...... . .".. . . . CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES April 8, 2002 Page 2 of3 Most often, the RPBCW works with cities on a cost-share basis when beginning plans with communities. Zerby asked whether the District would consider assisting a school to perform water quality studies. Recently, a school approached Shorewood to request funds for a monitoring project, Zerby asked if it would be appropriate to direct them to the Watershed District. Scribner said that the District would absolutely consider funding, if the water body was located in their watershed. Mayor Loved inquired over the possibility of working together in a partnership with the Watershed in the future in order to examine water quality. Mr. Forster began the final segment of the presentation surrounding just that topic. He stated again that while Shorewood is only a small sliver of the Watershed, it is an important headwater, adding that the District would be fascinated to get into discussions about this topic. In regard to the criteria for Watershed contribution used for water resource management, a schedule exists. Fiskness pointed out that the District picks up 100% of the cost of water quality or quantity management, land acquisition and purchase is covered 50%, and amenities like interpretive centers are covered by a 25% contribution. Mayor Love indicated that he would like to talk more about Shorewood's environmental concerns and establish a closer working relationship with the RPBCW. Scribner stated that the Silver Lake Park acquisition would be a good place to start planning future projects with Shorewood. As a critical piece of the Watershed District, it would be a good starting point. Mayor Love pointed out that Shorewood is environmentally conscious and has an environmental committee, the LCEC, who is charged to work on preservation initiatives. He added that the City is familiar with, and currently working with another Watershed District, and would be an easy City to work with. Forster stated that Administrator Dawson is welcome to call up the District to start the ball rolling, adding that they too would be easy to interact with. Mayor Love asked if the District representatives would be willing to introduce themselves to the Planning Commission and possibly LCEC at a joint meeting later this month. Zerby stated that it would be helpful to have the District representatives visit annually to update the Council on what's happening in the watershed. Scribner pointed out that a new publication would be sent out to member cities quarterly to update information for them. Forster asked for the Council's support for he and Scribner's reappointment, stating that they enjoy their positions, have learned a great deal, and hope they have contributed during their tenure. 3. ADJOURN Zerby moved, Garfunkel seconded, adjourning the City Council Special Meeting of April 8, 2002, at 6:55 P.M. Motion passed 5/0. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, KRIST! ANDERSON Recording Secretary