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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-08-2025 - Agenda Packet City Council - work sessionAgenda City Council Work Session Wednesday, October 8, 2025, 9:00 AM City Council Chambers | 2780 Kelley Parkway, Orono, MN 55356 952-249-4600 /oronomn.gov 1. Resiliency & Sustainability Roll Call Work Session Item Adjournment Sign up for email notifications at oronomn.gov 1 Date: October 8, 2025 Item: 1 Presenter: Adam Edwards, City Administrator / Engineer Section: Work Session Item Title: Resiliency & Sustainability AGENDA ITEM 2 ^ , Sustainab 'i* I 'i*ty and 0 0 0 Resiliency Discussion City of Orono i Council t Work k Session r 2025 !% !!City Cou c o Sess o � October 8, 01 Mission, Vision, Goals a n - 02 Comprehensive Plan Agenda 03 Current Practices 04 Programs and Opportunities 05 Discussion M 0 0 0 0 ission , Vision , Goals Mission The city of Orono will provide effective guidance through public policy established from citizen involvement, by empowering staff to implement best practices to prepare Orono for any challenges of the future and by ensuring a positive customer experience, superior municipal services and provide a safe community for the residents, businesses and customers to live, work and play in. Vision To be the residential community of choice and remain widely recognized for its preservation of natural rural beauty, quality of life, and recreational assets. Goals • To provide consistent high levels of customer service to our residents and balance the enforcement of city codes • To maintain sustainable funding for infrastructure while maintaining a stable tax levy • To create a culture of continuous improvement by providing efficient and reliable government services • To adopt best practices into city processes to ensure high-quality services are provided in an ever- changing environment ClimateCommon Terms: MN Action • Sustainability: Creating and maintaining the conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony to support present and future generations. • Resilience (to climate change): The capacity of individuals, communities, businesses, buildings, infrastructure or the natural environment to prevent, withstand, respond to, and recover from disruptive events and continue to perform despite persistent stresses imposed by climate change. Both mitigation and adaptation are necessary for long-term resilience. • Adaptation: Taking action to prepare for and adjust to both the current and projected impacts from climate change. For both natural and built systems, humans may intervene to help adjustment. • Mitigation (of climate change): A human intervention to reduce emissions or enhance the removal of a greenhouse gas from the atmosphere (e.g., through carbon sequestration in plants) • Renewable energy: collected from resources that are naturally replenished on a human timescale. Examples include wind, wood, solar, hydropower, and geothermal energy. • Equity: The proactive reinforcement of policies, practices, attitudes and actions that produce fairness in power, access, opportunities, treatment, impacts and outcomes for all. 2040 Comprehensive Plan : Orono Planning Goals 1. Protect and preserve Lake Minnetonka, and all Lakes and natural resources, its water quality, and its recreational assets. This goal includes preservation of the associated marshes, wetlands and natural drainageways as the primary, most practical and cost efficient method of preventing flooding and of filtering out the nutrient pollution from stormwater runoff. Maintaining a low-density rural area away from the lake, and managing the quality of runoff that flows directly to the lake, are important elements of this goal. ad2. Maintain our local character and identity (strong neighborhoods, preponderance of wildlife, open 11/0 spaces, lakes, and wetlands). 3. Protect and preserve our natural resources including all lakes, creeks, marshes, wetlands, woodlands, groundwater and steep slopes. 4. Preserve open space, light, air, and solar access for all citizens while maintaining night sky. 5. Protect the general public health, safety and welfare through the development of ordinances, policies, and infrastructure that provides safe, efficient streets and neighborhoods, transportation alternatives, parks and opens spaces. 6. Guide investment and reinvestment in the City at densities consistent with environmental protection and the planned land use pattern. 2050*0 NEW Required Plan Elements 1. Land Use 7. Parks a) Density, Land Use classification, Identify Aggregate Resource, Solar a) Regional Park and Trail Systems, Connectivity of Green Space and Resource Protections, Corridors, Park CIP Planning 2. Housing 8. Climate a) Housing assessment, Accessible Housing, Growth Management a) Climate Mitigation Projections b) Climate Adaptation 3. Transportation 9. Natural Systems a) Variety of Transit options, Trails Planning, Biking and Pedestrian Accessibility, Acknowledgement of GHG Reduction Goals a) Identify Natural systems including water and terrestrial bodies, identify protective areas, Protective strategies and goals 4. Wastewater 5. Water Supply 20 6. Surface Water Op IMAGINE50 " the r'e iorii"s, lore ,for ao eglLli . le end resiillen fLilure, Current Practices Surface Water Management 0 Surface Water Management Plan Requirements 1. Protect, preserve, and use natural surface and groundwater storage Our 6t�es and town s and retention systems have bts of aye urfa wem that vows 2. Minimize public capital expenditures needed to correct flooding and and Oveirs whenit rains, UPON water quality problems ,,,, r'i y ,1ill ///�/p%/%///%/�%%////00� i 3. Identify and plan for means to effectively protect and improve surface and groundwater quality y 1 i�oo/ Poop 4. Establish more uniform local policies and official controls for surfaceSON and groundwater managementFe Him 5. Prevent erosion of soil into surface water systems /// % i % �� % raw, 6. Promote groundwater rechargeIf % ""' ' %, , , g g � u �� 1 � � Salt&sand 7. Protect and enhance fish and wildlife habitat and water recreational facilities 8. Secure the other benefits associated with the proper management of surface and groundwater. W surface water management * U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY The NPDES program, the Impaired Official (EPA) p gram� paire Waters fffi Responsibility Zleclr:anism ControlList, and the Nondegradation Review are all the result of the Clean Water Act, administered by . >SFr,ES NIS4 Permit-Orono Stonri aterPollution the EPA. Prevention Promanr(SwPPP) • NPDES C onstiuction Pernnt Erosion and • NPDES multi-Sector Permit Y CORPS OF ENGINEERSC Under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, Sediment City.NIC'NVI) „ Orono City Code:Chapter 79 Construction Site including subsequent modifications, the EPA and the USACE regulate the placement of fill into `anti l l t 1 Runoff Conti Bnuldurm Permits�urcon Sur ate Chapter 79requirements. all Wetlands « NICIND Erosion Control Rule • Orono City Code:Clrapster 78.Article IX—Shorelanti FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (F A) federal disaster mitigation and relief Sliorelancl City.I\IC- D Management programs, including the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) • MC WD Shoreline and StreaiiibaiA Stabilization Rule • Orono City C'otle:Chapter 78 Article VIII— a S""'1 I E BO II°tD OII" SOUL D I EI'k I ESOUIIkCES (B &I'O The BWSR works through local Epxclpnpain City IC r.DNx F1afltlplarnylana ennent lte""" � • h1C'WI?Flcuodalaur Alteration RnIle government agencies to implement Minnesota's water and soil conservation policies. DNR.USACE,.and Orono City C'ode:Chapter 78.Article XI-Wetlands Technical Evaluation Pr"C9te'Ctri3Il1 a KNNESO 1,A POLLU11"°" ON CONI 10L AGENCY ( F) ( responsible for monitoring environmental Wetlands PanellJEP) . N,IC"WD Wetland Protection Rule Nleinbers:BWSP'.& quality and enforcing environmental regulations to protect the land, air and water. NICV?vDorHCD • Welland Conservation Act-MC'WDisLGU • Orono CityC'orle:Chapter 14.Article III.Division 5. ESO"'I"" DEFI II I"'" E I"'" OIII' I"UIII� L III E�SOUIIIkC�E� (S D II° ( The Division of Waters rm Subdivision"—Stormin eter IVlicit Discharge and Illicit Illicit Connection administers nrograms in lake managuement, shoreland managuement, dam safet , floodnlain City N t� t� t� y N Discinarse t Z LS4 Perrirrt—SWPPP Illicit Discharge Detection and management, wild and scenic rivers, the Public Waters Inventory (PWI), and permitting of Elimination Program • NIS='WD Illlicit Discharge Rule development activity within public waters. . NPDES Construction Pennit • NPDES Multi-Sector Permit a i ( ( p g p Runoffgennerrt City.I\ICWD Section 78-1579 Draina1aeS aticpe L}u�is cu ci. E�SO"II"" DEI II I"" E I"" OIII 1°IE LI"1°°I D1°°°I public health including implementation of the Orono Cr Code��. Safe Drinking Water Act. a NICWDStornnvaterManaaennentRule Pl and atrnctnues Rule a 11OliOLlll""'I"'" S`OU C�IIIL manages public transit, housing programs, wastewater collection Phn and t n Groundwater y°iy'1C'ter City. ZwIDH C7n it©Welllhead Protection treatment, regional parks, and regional water resources. . ZwICWID A�ppropiiatiorisRule • NPDES Construction Permit a IIIISIIIS1E11 AJIV°°I A CIIER11E111EK WA 1111,IIESIIV11ED IIIEISI'"IIEIC'I (II C D) broad authority to regulate land use IaIPCA. IC'WD. . NIPcA-Mana,gingDredgeMaterialsandNlanaging Dredging planning, flood control and conservation issues DNR.USACE StornrtnateiSecliments t NIC"WT)Dredaing Rule n Cl I 01'°° O � Natu aI Are Chapter 78.Article XII— EOIIISO Regulates Land use though Ordinance; Maintains city infrastructure. Cin, "'�ti"r��'t'��°'le Preservatienr Cams nation Design Land Use • Guiding Documents 0 Coordination with other agencies • Mission, Vision, Goal, Comprehensive Plan MCWD, LMCD, Hennepin County, BWSR, DNR, Met Council • Land Use Regulations 0 Department Tra i n i ngs • Zoning, Floodplain, Shoreland, Wetland, Conservation Design, Members of Sustainable Land Use Coalition, Participates on Hardcover, Stormwater Pollution Prevention, Development/ Monthly Trainings from DNR and Hennepin County for Subdivision sustainability and resiliency topic, American Planning Association, Septic Certification, Department of Labor and Industry Training • Additional Regulations • Solid Waste regulations, Environmental, Septic Systems • Permitting • Digital permitting (eliminated paper plans, created uniform access to public records), review and verify erosion control measures Public Works • Brush Site 0 Right of Way Sweeping • Repurposes brush, logs, leaves, and grass clippings into mulch and In 2024, collected 25 pounds of phosphorus and 41 cubic yards of blended organic soil for landscaping projects. This helps keep debris, debris through regular sweeping. Crews sweep throughout the year, pollutants, and pesticides out of the storm sewer system, reducing focusing on known trouble spots. Weather events often bring leaves impacts on our lakes and streams. and twigs into streets, storm basins, and curbs, requiring follow-up cleanings to keep systems clear. • Clean Up Days • Reduces roadside debris from illegal dumping and partners with Water and Sewer Utilities agencies to repurpose items such as appliances, bikes, and gently used Implements the Wellhead Protection Plan, establishing protection construction materials. Scrap metal is melted down and reused in the zones around drinking water wells. Performs annual water leak creation of new products. surveys, fire hydrant and lift station inspections, and underground infrastructure assessments to reduce leaks and prevent environmental • Winter Operations contamination. • Conducts roadway brining, salting, and plowing operations. Staff attend annual winter maintenance and salt application training, and all Stormwater Preventive Maintenance equipment is calibrated each year. These practices reduce salt use Completed 298 stormwater inspections in 2025 to identify areas while keeping roadways, sidewalks, and trails safe in accordance with needing cleaning or repair, helping to reduce pollutants entering local best management practices. waterways. Engineering • Development and Permit Grading Review • Integrations of water quality / stormwater management into Transportation projects • Ensure Compliance with City Code and MS4 permit 0 Integration of water quality / stormwater management into • Development Erosion Control Inspections Parks and Facilities projects • Develop, plan and execute Stormwater improvement projects • • Inflow and Infiltration reduction work for Sanitary sewer system Surface Water Management Plan Preventive maintenance projects (Streets, Utilities, • Separate slides • Infrastructure) • MS4 Permit (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) 0 Standards and Development • Public Education and Outreach All- City Standard Plates Public Participation and Involvement Streets — MnDOT Standards Specification • Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination • Utilities — CEAM Specifications • Stormwater— MPCA Stormwater Manual • Construction Site Storm Water Runoff Control 0 MN American Public Works Association (APWA) • Post-Construction Storm Water Management 0 City Engineer Association of Minnesota (CEAM) • Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping for Municipal 0 UofM Stormwater design Certification Operations 0 Mn Rural Water Association (MRWA) • C) Capital Improvement Planning for City • Mn Cities Stormwater Coalition (MCS Infrastructure Parks / Facilities • Assessment and Inventory of Resou rces 0 Facility Operations • Create and maintain an inventory of natural resources, park and facility Monitor park buildings for efficiency upgrades, (LEDs, HVAC maintenance) assets, including trails, sport fields, natural areas and lake access points solar for PW works building. Public Works building is also equipped with allowing us to prioritize high-value natural areas and focus resources LED lights, motion sensor lights and qualified for energy rebates based on where they gain the most conservation value. it's sustainable construction. Custodian staff trained in cleaning chemical use and use natural products when possible. • Winter Operations 0 Park Operations • Staff is sent to winter maintenance and salting training, making sure the Follow DNR and Community Forestry best practices for tree planting, and correct equipment and that it is maintained to reduce our quantity of long term canopy health. This includes species selection, inventorying, salt, but still ensure sidewalks and trails safe and in line with best and routine maintenance. Reduce fertilizer/pesticide use and maintain management practices. right size irrigated turf for water use reduction. Staff is trained in pesticide application and limit it's use when not necessary, use limited to golf • course and athletic fields. Buy low-toxicity products, durable recycled Mowing and Landscape materials for benches/play structures, and prioritize local contractors. • Keep park areas and trails as natural as possible, which include less frequent mowing zones, pollinator-friendly planting beds, compost use, Engage Community and Partners and low-maintenance native planting. Use native plants when replacing or installing new vegetation. Remove and replace invasive species, follow Use Park Commission and volunteers to help with native gardens, adopt- post removal monitoring and native re-establishment. a-park measures, park monitoring. Provide public education through clear signage at parks and through social media and newsletter. Emergency Services • Emergency Management Coordination 0 Deer Management/ Pest Control • Emergency Management Plans, HC Emergency Management Bow Hunter, arial surveys (Three Rivers), trapping permits for State and Federal Partners (FEMA Recovery) beaver/coyotes and other pests if damaging property. No natural • Certified as a Emergency Manager — MN HSEM, Board Chair with predators. Suburban area with large areas of woods and HCEM — UASI/LETP Funding marshes. Residents move to the area to be part of nature. • Education and Outreach Electric Vehicles •• Hunter Safety, Drivers Ed, Crime Prevention Discussions (Gillespie, Continuing evaluating the use of electric vehicle for patrol use. Senior Centers etc.) Considering the pros/cons(cost, battery life, charging and cold weather). • Drug Take Back Training and Development • Reduces access to prescription drugs, reduces contamination to • Recruitment at colleges and High School job fairs water sources due to improper disposal. Provides drug disposal bags for smaller amounts. 0 CADET program Administration • Waste Reduction 0 Communications Strategy • One-hauler system for single-sort provides access to all residents, Builds awareness, promotes behavior change, strengthens improves diversion from landfills, streamlines cost and preparedness & response, supports community engagement, operations. documents success, reinforces institutional continuity. • Organics drop-off free to all residents; future transition to curbside collection to strengthen environmental responsibility Policy Implementation and social equity. • Ordinances, contracts, policies are properly recorded and enforced, supporting environmental, social, and economic • Digital Presence sustainability. • Open meetings, online engagement and public record access Staff Development reduces paper, ensures continuity during disruptions • Support prepared workforce through training that extends beyond current needs, fostering economic • Absentee Voting sustainability. • Provides access to all eligible voters, fosters lower emissions, congestion, and strengthens inclusivity, social sustainability Programs and Opportun 'lotes Current Projects 0 TREE MANAGEMENT PLAN 0 2050 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE • Tree Inventory completed in 2025 0 Kickoff in 2025 • Form committee and define goals and objectives 2025 0 Public Input and Sub-committee 2026 • Develop tree planting strategy 2025/2026 Review and Update current Comp Plan Goals Selection of native and climate-resilient tree species, planting priorities, develop best practices for • Review and Redline 2026/2027 soil prep, spacing and watering. • Collaborate with county and state government, environmental groups, Update Chapter by Chapter to follow forecasting and policy Goals residents, universities and local businesses. 0 Publish for Review and Public Comment 2028 Secure funding through grants, collaborate with sponsors and non-profits, The draft plan is published for public comment and shared and affected incentives or guidelines for residents to plant and maintain trees. and adjacent jurisdictions: 6 Month Process • Maintenance and Sustainability 0 Submit Final 2050 Update 2028 Develop long-term care plan, pruning, watering disease control. Train staff, volunteers and public on proper tree care techniques. Establish tree protection policies for construction and development. • Monitoring and Evaluation Regularly track tree survival and growth rates, assess environmental benefits use date-driven analysis, adjust policies and strategies based on findings. A Opportunities ■ EXISTING PROGRAMS AND EXAMPLES ■ POLICY AND ORDINANCE EXAMPLES • Recognition/ certification — Green Step Cities Tree Preservation Ordinance- Consider an ordinance that Minnesota GreenStep Cities & Tribal Nations is a voluntary challenge, prioritizes tree preservation and the tree canopy. The scope could assistance and recognition program to help communities achieve their be at time of subdivision development or for individual homeowners to follow sustainability and quality-of-life goals. It is based upon a menu of 29 optional best practices. Landscaping Ordinance- Consider creating specific • Energy Audits — Xcel Energy Partners in Energy landscaping requirements for sensitive areas. Consider creating a resource guide for best practices (Blue Thumb) The program offerings include support to develop an energy action plan or electric vehicle plan, tools to help implement your plan • Open Space Ordinance- Consider a regulation that requires the creation of open space or conservation easements at time of • Studies — Climate Action and Sustainability Studies subdivision • 6t ir �6ii�� P6116ii�� Nan Wa Wayzata- 2025 ......................... ..................................................................................................................................................... Y • Steep Slope Ordinance- Additional protections on sensitive • 01hnate Ac6gn in jgj6gn Nan Minnetonka- A April 2024 .............................................................................................................................................................66u ........................................................................ p natural features. • 01hnate Ac6on and ResHH&In E6giD Plymouth- In Development • ..IL..I!...ilk... .::.. .............. .:..ji.. ..In...... ..IL. ..ln Hennepin County— May 2021 Partners Minnehaha Creek Watershed District Metropolitan Council Hennepin County Three Rivers Park District ///////////lfi` // / „ Emergency Services, Transportation, "� American Public Works Assoc. (APWA) Environmental Service, Public Works, HCRRA •• MN Department of Natural Resources Minnesota Rural Water Assoc. American Water Works Assoc. Board of Soil and Water • School Districts Orono Westonka fUS Army Corps of Engineers Lake Minnetonka Conservation District Discussion Questions 1. What is the Council's Resiliency and Sustainability Vision? a �k w, q t dr.. a) Desired Outcomes? b) Goals? � 2. How does the Council want to incorporate the sustainability and resiliency with x� upcoming Comp Plan Update? a) Establish separate committee/ working group to establish sustainability and resiliency goals? b) Set up series of sustainability and resiliency council work session in 2026 and 27? ------,------ r 3. Outside the Comp Plan what sustainability and resiliency initiatives does the council wish to undertake . a) What does the Council want to prioritize (fund)? b) Focus Partners? �� wry. �Y�V �a r�ri�i���r�MM���I.�,iWMn��,�,� 1 �� iV kkkkkkkkN'!'kkkkkk kkk! �� + d< � �� � f� d�f� f�t� tl�l��r���o ��,��� „ ��� , ��� uuuw w uuuuuq�wff ���� ��aaaaaaaaaaallllaa� �i�d SY y '�� r �! Po, gY��, „fir� }+arrrrrrrk,(frrrrrrrr �,��� �� ��, ";'iiii�in hi Resources and References -onserva,b Pirlr0 • C&nter for IEnergy gi]d Ei]vhronnient Munibpg 5 tahna III eICE ukdhng IC II ib'es • MCWE) Ch lien ate Afton Fra lien eworIII 211,.........."Cl""ol",,"u",,,,i,ilill'I'llty `II i,ii,illill'i'll'I'latgAll,llctl""!I,,'ll'oll",iillill'I • E)MR Nurture ICEature • BWSICE Chniate G,I&ng IC irk ii and Afton Ran 2022 Landscape Planting Best Practices and education • Lawns of Legumes