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INITIAL DRAFT 4-14-25 1 VADNAIS LAKE AREA WATER MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT THIS JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is made and entered into by and between the participating units of local government of the Cities of Gem Lake, Lino Lakes, North Oaks, Vadnais Heights, and White Bear Lake and the Township of White Bear (individually a “Member” and collectively the “Members”). RECITALS A. The Vadnais Lake Area Water Management Organization (“VLAWMO”) was organized in 1983 and is located in the northeast metro area within Ramsey and Anoka counties. B. VLAWMO is responsible for an approximately 24.2 square mile watershed that encompasses the City of North Oaks, along with portions of the Cities of White Bear Lake, Gem Lake, Vadnais Heights, Lino Lakes, and White Bear Township and includes 17 lakes, 1 creek, and over 1000 wetlands as shown on the map maintained by VLAWMO. C. Local government units in the metropolitan area are required by the Metropolitan Water Management Program (Minn. Stat. §§ 103B.201 to 103B.255) (“Act”) to plan for and manage surface water. D. Under the Act, one of the options available to local government units to satisfy its requirements is to adopt a joint powers agreement pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 471.59 to establish a watershed management organization to jointly plan for and manage surface water within a watershed. E. The Members elected to exercise their authority under the Act to adopt a joint powers agreement establishing the Vadnais Lake Area Water Management Organization (“VLAWMO”) to cooperatively manage and plan for the management of surface water within the watershed. F. The original joint powers agreement has been updated over time and the term of the current joint powers agreement expires on December 31, 2026. G. VLAWMO is funded in large part by storm sewer utility fees certified to the County Auditor and imposed by the County on properties within the watershed as authorized by special legislation adopted by the Minnesota Legislature in 2008 (2008 Minn. Laws Chap. 366, Art. 6, Sec. 47). H. The Members previously acted pursuant to their authority to establish the “Vadnais Lake Area Water Management Organization Board of Directors” (“Board”) and said Board is hereby reaffirmed as the entity charged with the authority and responsibility to manage the VLAWMO.