03-25-1991 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORONO COUNCIL MEETING HELD MARCH 11» 1991(#18)STORM HATER MANAGEMENT PLAN CONTINUEDsuspect that within the next five to ten years, it may to mandatory. Orono's Comprehensive Plan :.s predicattid on preventing storm water runoff from entering Lake M..nnetonka. Implementing a storm water management program would be a physical demonstration of our intention to uphold the Comprehensive Plan. A storm water plan would also ser/e as a guide for future development." Butler asked what could b«3 done tv"> assure that the plan implemented by the City would meet the criteria required by any future legislation. Bernhardson replied, "The S:ate now requires that each watershed district provide a storm water management plan. Of course, we are within the Minnehaha Creek WaLershed District, and they have provisions that the local municipalities mu.st meet. The watershed districts have already set out guidelines and a framework for such plans from the State, Of course it is possible that somewhere dotn the line, new personnel may discard the existing guidelines.” Mayor Peterson asked if considerations for alternative financing of such projects is a result of the pending situation with Livingston Avenue. Bernhardson replied, "There are three ways to fund storm water projects. One is to do a special assessment, as is currently proposed for Livingston A/enue. The second method is to set up an Ad Valorum taxing district, which means that assessments would be based on the values of the property within the district, rather than square footage of the contribution to the storm water runoff. A house that is worth more would pay more. The third method is to set up a storm water utility which %rauld charge residents based on their lot size, or water usage. That amount is added onto the utility bill. This avoids the need to go through the special assessment process." Jabbour asked if, in the event such a program becomes mandatory, there may be funding available for the project. Bernhardson was skeptical that any funding wouJd be Available from the government, and if funding were available, that it would only pay for a small portion of the project. Mayor Paterson asked Bernhardson if the City would be given a certain number of years to complete the project. Bernhardson replied, "I believe that would be the case. - 25 -