Laserfiche WebLink
m' <br />REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION <br />^O' <br />(? <br />DATE: Sept^nl^r 5, <br />ITEM NO: jO <br />Department Approval: <br />Name Ron Moorse <br />Title City Administrator <br />Administrator Reviewed:Agenda Section: <br />City Administrator’s <br />Report <br />Item Description: <br />Resolution Requesting County Assistance in the Oversight of the Minnehaha Creek Watershed <br />District <br />The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) is a regulatory board with authority in the areas <br />of wetland protection, surface water drainage, and water quality. The board is appointed by the <br />County Board of Commissioners and operates independently with assistance by professional staff <br />and legal and engineering consultants. The MCWD includes all cities around Lake Minnetonka and <br />all cities along Minnehaha Creek. <br />The cities under the jurisdiction of the MCWD have recently joined together to address concerns <br />regarding the manner in which the MCWD carries out its responsibilities. Because the MCWD <br />board is appointed by the County Commissioners, the cities are requesting County assistance in the <br />oversight of the MCWD. <br />It is essential that the cities and the MCWD are able to work cooperatn ely in dealing with issues <br />related to wetlands, surface water drainage, and water quality. One ultimate goal of the joint effort <br />of the cities is to get to a point where the working relationship between the cities and the MCWD <br />is such that issues can be cooperatively addressed and resolved. <br />A committee representing the cities in the district has identified specific concerns regarding the <br />manner in which the MCWD carries out its responsibilities, and the effects this has had on the cities <br />in the district. The committee is recommending that the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners <br />take a more active role in monitoring and overseeing the activities of the district, to improve the <br />communication between the district and the affected cities and to address the concerns identified by <br />the committee. The committee is requesting that all cities in the district adopt a resolution setting <br />out the concerns identified, and requesting County assistance in the oversight of the Minnehaha <br />Creek Watershed District. The resolution is attached for Council adoption. <br />COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED: <br />Motion to adopt a resolution requesting County assistance in the oversight of the Minnehaha Creek <br />Watershed District.