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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL – OCTOBER 23, 2017 7 <br /> <br />Public Works Director/City Engineer Polka stated as of March 10, 2003, the Minnesota <br />Pollution Control Agency required all cities within the Seven County Metro Region to apply for a <br />General Storm Water Permit (Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems, or MS4, permit) <br />as part of Federal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) requirements. In <br />2013, the City of Arden Hills applied for reauthorization under the revised permit as administered <br />by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). On March 17, 2014, the City’s application <br />was approved and the permit to discharge stormwater was reauthorized. In order to comply with <br />revised federal regulations, municipalities are required to modify their Storm Water Pollution <br />Prevention Plan (SWPPP) that focuses on ways the municipality will reduce the amount of <br />sediment and pollution entering the surrounding water bodies. The SWPPP includes six minimum <br />control measures that need to be addressed by the City. Each measure is aimed at reducing the <br />amount of pollution entering water bodies through various methods such as public outreach and <br />education, regulatory ordinances, and physical structures constructed as a part of the storm water <br />sewer system. Each control measure includes several Best Management Practices (BMPs) that <br />will be used to accomplish the measure and each will include measurable goals that can establish <br />the effectiveness of the SWPPP. <br /> <br />Public Works Director/City Engineer Polka explained one of the permit requirements is that <br />the City must hold an annual public meeting to allow interested parties to provide comments to <br />the City on its SWPPP. The City is also required to submit an annual report to the MPCA <br />documenting the accomplishments of the previous year. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden asked who completed in the inspections on behalf of the City. <br /> <br />Public Works Director/City Engineer Polka reported the Ramsey County Conservation District <br />completed the inspections for all of the erosion control permits. She commented further on the <br />importance of keeping leaves and grass clippings out of the street. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant opened the public hearing at 8:20 p.m. <br /> <br />With no one coming forward to speak, Mayor Grant closed the public hearing at 8:21 p.m. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant commented no Council action was required for this item. <br /> <br />C. Comcast Cable Franchise Agreement <br /> <br />Interim Director of Finance and Administrative Services Perrault stated this Public Hearing <br />provides City Council and residents the opportunity to ask questions regarding the Comcast cable <br />franchise agreement. He explained Corr Wilson from the NSCC was present to discuss the <br />franchise agreement and answer questions. <br /> <br />Cor Wilson, NSCC, introduced herself and thanked the Council for their time. She discussed the <br />purpose of franchise agreements under federal law. She noted the current franchise with Comcast <br />expired in 2013 and informal negotiations began in 2011. As time went on and an agreement was <br />not reached, formal negotiations were pursued. She explained the original franchise was quite <br />poor and was denied by the member cities. She provided further comment on the history of the <br />negotiations and reviewed the details within the proposed franchise agreement. She described the