2010-05-25_PWETC_Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Additional discussion included the role of the Commission to assist staff and become more involved, through volunteer and community involvement, and in engaging citizens through interaction between them and the Commission (i.e., a planned stormwater educational packet); with staff expressing interest in the Commission serving to further educate the public on the impacts to and cost of maintaining or improving water quality through individual awareness. Commissioner Stenlund concurred, suggesting that Members get more involved, and work with students on fun ideas that would also serve as educational opportunities (i.e., MS4); and opined that the public needed further education about illicit discharges, while acknowledging the assistance provided by the public in helping to monitor potential violations or areas of concern. Mr. Dolan concurred, noting that Commission Members were more involved in the community through various groups and venues that staff could ever be, and could use those gatherings as educational opportunities; and assist staff in encouraging students to help with inspections. Member Stenlund suggested that staff make it a priority to incorporate the language of the Illicit Discharge Ordinance into the SWPPP before the formal PCA audit;. Further discussion included clarification in Section 3.D.1 and Section 3.A.1 of the dates and whether they were historical reference or needed updated, with staff indicating they were for historical reference of when those items were completed; Section 5 related to post-construction inspections for development and/or redevelopment projects to ensure that stormwater ponds are functioning properly as designed; review of as-builts to ensure they were built as profiled in plans and that no loss of capacity was evident upon terminating the MPCA construction permit. Member Gjerdingen provided an example at Northwestern College where in the process of putting up a new building, they discovered a higher water table than previous soil borings had indicated, possibly linked to construction of new roads within the campus (Arden Hills section) that had changed the flow; and expressed his concern that monitoring was in place to ensure that any stormwater containment plans function as designed. Additional discussion included pervious and impervious surface requirements and innovations; under-drain sand filter designs; mitigation of properties exceeding the thirty percent (30%) maximum impervious surface coverage requirements; best management practices (BMP) for private property; and recognizing that the public wants clean water, but not realizing that it came at a cost. Member Stenlund noted the interesting and excellent example to infiltration approach at the Bonestroo building on Highway 280. Page 4 of 5