2012-05-22_PWETC_Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Chair Vanderwall questioned if, rather than building an entire new network for storm water and melt water, could they enter into the same system, and use baffles for clean-out once they were captured by that system. While improvements were being made, Member Stenlund opined that the materials were still salt, and the choice was to use it or not use it; but it still ended up on the ground or a lake; and the only alternative was to use less or a different materials. Member Stenlund noted that the ponds needed to be cleaned out anyway, and that the entire residue was not salt. Member Stenlund noted the benefits of cleaning ponds closer to the tail of discharge or close to the source of discharge. Member Stenlund noted another solution would be in street sweeping BMP's or chasing course material somewhere other than typical; another educational effort for citizens to determine where they plow snow, as well as routes used by the City. Member Stenlund questioned the end costs environmentally and ramifications in providing dry pavement in the winter within four (4) hours for its citizens and those using area roadways. Chair Vanderwall noted that this was a huge discussion, and also involved the impact to vehicles through rust and potholes. Member Stenlund suggested creation by the City of a database of example BMP's as part of its investment in water quality, and providing a geocache of those opportunities for children to research; making that part of their education for future water quality efforts. Chair Vanderwall suggested additional public education in the Plan through enhanced interfacing with schools. Mr. Leaf framed tonight's discussion, opining that the SWPPP for the MS4 program and its regulatory requirements overlapped this Surface Water Plan update, with the overriding goals and policies of the Plan (e.g. clean water, promote good practices for snow storage and management) creating standards for day-to-day operations. Mr. Leaf advised that the Plan will set a framework of goals and policies, with ordinances applied to ensure compliance of others and the City, and incorporating and based on the regulatory programs assigned to the City as an MS4 City. Mr. Leaf opined that the PWETC feedback was great and S.E.H. and staff would now put it together to develop proposed policies, without the Plan undermining or usurping the MS4 regulations. Ms. Bloom noted that Mr. Leaf s outline provided what S.E.H.'s contract with the City included for updating the Plan (e.g. goals and policies). Ms. Bloom advised that a number of the ideas brought forward would be incorporated into the Implementation Plan, with priorities, budget, resources, and staffing addressed as part of accomplishing that implementation. Ms. Bloom advised that Mr. Leaf s outlined provided the framework or foundation for what the Metropolitan Council Page 11 of 19