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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, August 12, 2013 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 2 of 37 (4. ANNUAL PUBLIC HEARING FOR NPDES PHASE II STORM WATER PERMIT, Continued) Struve stated for each control measure the City is required to measure and record the results on a yearly basis. Some of the goals for the permit are both local and global. Stormwater affects the local communities through the lakes, rivers and streams, which does affect more than just a localized region. Many typical pollutant sources range from storm drains, erosion on private and public properties, and runoff from the roadways which ultimately get washed into bodies of water. Struve stated there are multiple solutions but it typically starts with homeowner making decisions on whether to plant some rain gardens to help control stormwater or not using chemicals on their lawns. Struve stated some of the achievements last year included six articles in the City’s newsletter, incorporating stormwater information on the City’s website, holding a spring and fall drop-off for leaf and grass clippings disposal, construction debris collection every spring, and conducting erosion control inspections both on a city level and through the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District. Struve noted there were approximately 140 inspections last year as well as a couple stop work orders and notice of violation orders. Bremer asked if that relates to new construction sites where someone would be flagged. Struve indicated it would involve new construction ranging from new additions, rebuilds, and grading. Struve stated any permit that comes through the city requires an erosion control plan. The City also performs street sweeping a minimum of twice a year but typically Orono does it more frequently. The City also performs culvert repair, some catch basin sediment removal, catch basin inspections, and training for the Public Works Department. Some of the activities in 2013 that the City undertook included some pond maintenance review, impaired water reviews, and TMDLs that are being implemented through Orono. Struve noted the Public Works Department is still in the process of reviewing those. Struve stated some future items to consider are audits through the MPCA. Typically a 60-day advance notice is given of an audit, and if deficiencies are found, an action plan will be developed. To date no fines have been leveraged against the City. There are some upcoming funding opportunities with the Clean Water Legacy grants and then locally through the Watershed District Shoreline Restoration project. Struve noted there is a new MS4 general permit that was just released recently and the Public Works Department is still in the process of reviewing that to see what impacts that will have on Orono. One of the next steps is to record any public comments, respond to those comments, and then submit a report to the MPCA. Mayor McMillan opened the public hearing at 7:13 p.m. There were no public comments. Mayor McMillan closed the public hearing at 7:13 p.m. The City Council took no formal action on this item. Item #02 - CC Agenda - 08/26/2013 Approval of Council Minutes 08/12/2013 [Page 2 of 37]