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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.09.15 Work Session Minutes Council Work Session Minutes March 9,2015 Mayor Larson called the work session to order at 6:30 p.m. Chair Rotty called the Planning Commission to order at 6:30 p.m. Present: Larson, Bartholomay, Bonar, Donnelly, Pitcher Rotty, Bjorge, Rich Also Present: David McKnight, City Administrator; Kevin Schorzman, City Engineer; Jen Dullum,Natural Resources Specialist; Travis Thiel, Dakota County Water Resources Department; Cynthia Muller, Executive Assistant MOTION by Bartholomay, second by Pitcher to approve the agenda. APIF,MOTION CARRIED. Vermillion River Watershed Impaired Waters Presentation Mr. Travis Thiel,Vermillion River Watershed Specialist,presented information on impaired waters. Impaired waters are lakes,rivers and streams that do not meet their intended use. The Vermillion River, South Creek, Middle Creek and North Creek all have impaired waters consisting of e.coli bacteria, low dissolved oxygen,turbidity and fish and macroinvertebrates. Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL)is the amount of pollutants water can receive and still meet water quality standards. TMDLs become legally binding for those permitted sources of discharge. The city would fall under this category and will be required to meet TMDLs by documenting how we are making progress towards reductions. Mr. Thiel stated there is an acute problem with the Vermillion River in Farmington. There is a chronic problem with bacteria that is not runoff induced. The difference between an acute problem and a chronic problem has ramifications as to what is done to address them through practices. General strategies to address the problem include storm water management to prevent runoff like what is done in new developments. In older developments,the Vermillion River Watershed Organization(VRWO)would like to see retrofits of ponds,rain gardens, infiltration features, etc. into the existing landscape. In ag areas,we still need storm water management, but in a different form. The VRWO would like to see wetlands restored,water sediment control basins which are an earthen berm that runs parallel to the contour of the field in a concentrated flow area where what is held behind the berm and sediment can settle out. Also in the ag areas would be grass waterways, buffers along the waterways, conservation tillage by leaving as much crop residue on the landscape as possible and ground cover. In reviewing the creeks,there are field roads where culverts have been crushed over time or are blocked. There are also culverts where water is falling out of them into the river. Fish cannot migrate their way back up to spawn. Those issues need to be fixed and the VRWO has an inventory of their locations. Council Work Session Minutes March 9,2015 Page 2 For chronic problems with bacteria,there are buffers that can filter out pollutants before they reach the buffer and allows water to soak into the soil. Water storage and retention can be done. Keeping cattle from being in the river all the time would go a long way in reducing bacteria. If any septic systems are along waterways,we should make sure they are compliant. The county will be developing more options for addressing this issue. The county needs the city's help and support with projects to fix the waters. City staff has the responsibility for developing a CIP to maintain the infrastructure and we have to keep these issues in mind. Financial considerations are also important. The VRWO has a CIP which is dedicated to building projects. If a project is identified in the city,the VRWO will assist in the cost or pay for it entirely. They have staff that can assist with planning and engineering. The VRWO needs local support and buy in to get the projects done. The VRWO expects to have the TMDLs and strategies ready for public notice early this year with approval by the state and federal government in early June. As a project for the next year in Farmington,Mr. Thiel suggested improvement and establishment of buffers along the waterways on all reaches, but especially Middle Creek and South Creek. Along South Creek he suggested buffers and trees to keep the creek cool. A buffer should be 50 ft. from the edge of the bank at a minimum. The VRWO data goes back approximately ten years. Recommendations are being developed now by the VRWO and will be shared with city staff for input and recommendations then back to VRWO. Then there is a public comment period, approval by the MPCA and approval by the EPA. The waste load allocations are required reductions the city will have to meet. The city will have to document how we are making progress. The VRWO wants the city to develop a CIP to address the issues with the expectation that the VRWO will be fulfilling the financial role to get the projects done. When it comes to private land,the VRWO may be able to assist financially in some cases. Municipal State Aid Street Designation City Engineer Schorzman asked Council to determine roads that should be designated for MSA. The city has 2.67 miles of road that can be designated as MSA. Of the funding the city receives, 75%is for construction and 25% is for maintenance. In 2015, Farmington's total MSA allocation is $880,005; $220,001 of that is for maintenance. The city receives the maintenance portion in two payments. The state keeps the construction portion($660,000)in a fund. We currently have a total of$1 million in the fund. A construction project has to meet state standards to receive the funds. A portion of these funds will be used for the 2015 195th Street project. We can request$4 million of MSA funds and as we receive the $660,000 each year, it will be used to pay it back. MSA funds can be used on any existing or future city street, any CSAH or any trunk highway located within the city. The project has to be an MSA eligible route,plans designed to state aid standards and the state aid payment request has to be approved in order to access the MSA construction funds. Council Work Session Minutes March 9,2015 Page 3 The potential MSA route should begin and end at other routes that would be eligible to use MSA funding and should support movement of traffic between the local street system and these higher classified routes. The city would send a request to MnDOT with the roads and MnDOT will send a letter approving the roads. The Council will pass a resolution for the designation, it is sent to MnDOT and the county commissioner signs the order. The process takes approximately four months. City Engineer Schorzman presented several options of existing and non-existing roads that could be designated as MSA. Council selected the following roads: Fairreen Avenue between CSAH 50 and the future extension of 208th Street 213tn Street from TH3 to 12th Street and 12th Street from 213th Street to TH50 Willow Street from TH3 to 4th Street and 4th Street from Willow Street to Elm Street 3`d Street from Walnut Street to Ash Street 2016 Trunk Highway 3 Project Discussion The cost estimates for the turn lanes on TH3 at Centennial Drive and 225th Street were too high, so they will not be done with this project. The general scope of the project will be a 3"to 4"mill and overlay,upgrading pedestrian crossings to meet current ADA standards,upgrading the traffic signals at Ash and Elm Streets and potential access changes. This project will take place in 2016 and includes TH3 from Ash Street to 170th Street and will be done by MnDOT. There will also be a trail extension along TH3 from 194th Street to 190th Street. MnDOT will cover 50%to 60%of the $63,000 cost which leaves$31,500 to be shared between the city and Empire Township. The city would be responsible for trail maintenance. MOTION by Pitcher, second by Donnelly to adjourn at 8:00 p.m. APIF,MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully submitted, Cynthia Muller Executive Assistant