05-12-2014 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, May 12, 2014 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 2 of 16 (3. ANNUAL PUBLIC HEARING FOR NPDES PHASE II STORM WATER PERMIT, Continued) The goals for 2013 included articles in the City’s spring and fall newsletters regarding lawn maintenance, cleaning up after animals, and other topics related to stormwater management. Struve noted this information is also available on the City’s website. The City also offers a grass and leave disposal program with drop-off at the Public Works facility. In addition, methods for handing construction debris and collection are reviewed, with inspections by both City Staff and the Minnehaha Watershed Creek District being conducted. Struve stated the City’s streets get swept at least twice a year along with various culvert improvements, and stormwater treatment devices are inspected and cleaned out twice a year. The City has approximately 25 devices currently to trap the debris. Struve stated some of the 2014 implementation activities include a pond maintenance review, a review of impaired waters, ravine stabilization, and a review of the Public Works maintenance operations. Another item to consider as part of the NPDES permit includes MPCA audits. Struve noted no fines have been levied to date against the City and that care is taken to make sure that residents’ questions are documented and included in the submittal. Struve stated future rules revisions will likely result in changes in what the City is required to do and that the work is funded through the stormwater enterprise funds which are collected through the residents’ water bills. Struve stated the next step in this process is to record any comments from the residents, prepare a response, and then submit the permit documentation. Mayor McMillan opened the public hearing at 7:12 p.m. There were no public comments regarding this item. Mayor McMillan closed the public hearing at 7:12 p.m. Levang asked what type of pond is denoted under the maintenance section. Struve indicated it would cover ponds specifically created for stormwater management and that there are approximately 30 such ponds in Orono. Struve noted it would not cover low areas that rain water is directed to. McMillan asked what is done with the debris that is collected during the street sweeping. Struve indicated the debris is usually taken to the landfill. Struve stated the debris can be screened and some sand can be reused but that the amount is very limited. Struve indicated the amount of sand put down in the winter varies from year to year, which may necessitate additional sweepings in a particular year, but that the Public Works Department has not really quantified the amount of sand used. Printup asked whether any stenciling as depicted in the pictures has been done in Orono.