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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL – OCTOBER 26, 2020 8 C. Resolution 2020-051 Rice Creek Watershed District Drainage Proceedings Under the Watershed Law Public Works Director/City Engineer Blomstrom stated on October 19, 2020, the City Council reviewed a request from the Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD) for the City’s consent to conduct drainage proceedings for Ramsey County Ditches 2, 4 and 5 under the Watershed Law. The Council directed staff to place the RCWD’s requested resolution on the City Council agenda for October 26, 2020. The RCWD is currently developing plans for improvements to Ramsey County Ditch No. 4 (RCD 4) to convert a section of open channel ditch to piped storm sewer between County Road C and Terrance Drive. The proposed improvements would address bank failures, erosion and sediment being transported downstream into Oasis Pond, Little Johanna Lake, and Lake Johanna. The Rice Creek Watershed District is requesting concurrence from the City of Arden Hills to conduct the necessary proceedings for the project in accordance with the Watershed Law (Minnesota Statute 103D) rather than the Drainage Code (Minnesota Statute 103E). He reported Kyle Axtell with the Rice Creek Watershed District was present to further discuss this item with the Council. Councilmember Holmes commented the Council did not receive this Resolution within the work session packet. She indicated the proposed Resolution was very general and did not address the specifics of this project. She suggested this item be tabled to allow for the Resolution to be redrafted and made more specific. Mayor Grant proposed the Council listen to the presentation from Mr. Axtell. Councilmember Holmes recommended the presentation be held at a later date when the Resolution was redrafted. Mayor Grant stated Councilmember Holmes could move to table action on this item. Councilmember Holden stated she agreed with Councilmember Holmes. She explained at the work session that the Council stated they would not agree to all districts because the fees were unknown. She commented she was appalled by the drafted Resolution. Mayor Grant inquired how the Council wanted to proceed. Councilmember Scott indicated he supported the Resolution because the RCWD was seeking concordance from Arden Hills and noted a number of other cities have already given their concordance. Councilmember McClung reported he could not support the Resolution as drafted. He stated he could support a Resolution that addressed Ditch 4, but had concerns with what was being done with Ditch 2 and Ditch 5. He noted if this item were brought to a vote, he would not support the Resolution that was presented to the Council. Kyle Axtell, Project Manager for the Rice Creek Watershed District, explained he sent a draft Resolution to staff that omitted any reference to Ditch 2 and Ditch 5.