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On behalf of the City Council and city staff, Ms. Collins thanked the PWETC for <br /> their feedback on this draft policy. <br /> 7. MS4 Public Hearing <br /> At approximately 7:10 p.m., Chair Cihacek opened and closed the public hearing <br /> for the purpose of receiving public comment regarding the City's stormwater <br /> pollution prevention program (SWPPP), with no one appearing to speak for or <br /> against. <br /> Presentation <br /> National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) 2015 Annual <br /> Report for Municipal Separate Storm sewer System (MS4) by City <br /> Environmental Engineer Ryan Johnson <br /> As detailed in the staff report and related attachments, Mr. Johnson provided an <br /> overview of the city's management of stormwater discharge into public waters in <br /> Roseville and the region. Mr. Johnson reviewed various outreach and educational <br /> efforts and best management practices (BMPs) over the last year and those <br /> proposed moving forward. <br /> Specific to Chair Cihacek's question regarding the dredging costs of $24,000 at <br /> the stormwater pond (Byerly's Pond), and associated cost savings available, Mr. <br /> Johnson reviewed the deterioration of the pond over time, as part of the city's <br /> infrastructure. Mr. Johnson noted water was not draining off Lincoln Drive, with <br /> the street infrastructure therefore inundated with water, causing those concrete <br /> pipes continuously under water to break down and need replaced. If the ponds do <br /> not function as intended, and sediment goes out onto County Road C, and Ramsey <br /> County ultimately inspects that area, Mr. Johnson advised that they would require <br /> the city to clean the pond at their timing. Mr. Johnson further noted that the <br /> sediment could eventually flow into Bennett Lake, a Department of Natural <br /> Resources (DNR) protected wetland. Overall, Mr. Johnson noted the benefit was <br /> to do the cleaning now, and return the function to its intended status. <br /> Chair Cihacek questioned why cattails were considered bad in ponds or to its <br /> ecosystem; and if and when prairie grass or other vegetation is designed <br /> specifically for other water retention areas or other functions. <br /> Mr. Johnson responded that he considered vegetation not only to treat stormwater, <br /> but also to aid natural habitat, adding additional values versus having a simple <br /> pond. Mr. Johnson noted this provided aesthetic appeal, as well as insect, frog <br /> and bird habitat versus turf grass. Relative to cattails, Mr. Johnson stated he <br /> considered them fine around the edges but not in the middle of a drainage pond <br /> indicating to him that the pond has reached a point that it needs cleaning out. Mr. <br /> Johnson noted their growth meant stormwater retention was slowing down and <br /> the pond was not functioning as intended from a drainage aspect. <br /> Page 8 of 17 <br />