EC SUM 2013 10 09
Chanhassen Environmental Commission (EC)
Regular Meeting
October 9, 2013
Members Present: Glenn Kaufmann, Matthew Myers, Amy Wenner, Bret Borth, Keith Anderson, Katie
Mahannah, Amy Omann
Members Absent:
Staff Present: Jill Sinclair, Environmental Resource Specialist, Terry Jeffery, Water Resources Coordinator
Guests Present: Diane Spector, Water Resources Planner, Wenck Engineering
Minutes: July minutes were approved.
Stormwater Management Plan Citizen Advisory Committee (SWMP CAC) Presentation: Terry and Diane
began their presentation by explaining to the commission what the Local Water Management Plan (LWMP) is
and why the city needs to update it. The LWMP is a document required by watershed districts with a specific set
of required information to be included. Some of the city’s plan update will be very prescriptive, such as land use.
The LWMP will result in an amendment to the City’s Comprehensive Plan. State statute states that when
watershed districts (WD) update their plans, local government units (LGUs) have 2 years in which to update
theirs. The date of the last update was 2010 for the Lower Minnesota River WD. Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek
WD is in the process of updating theirs now. For the plan, the city will need to compile information on the latest
stream and lake data, watershed boundaries and the latest hydrologic models. (Watershed drainage areas are not
necessarily the same as watershed district areas). Updates are also needed for condition assessments, total
maximum daily load (TMDL) data and use attainability studies. The first part of management planning process
will be to pull all of the information together to create a data-based starting point. The Environmental
Commission will assist with developing goals and policies and an implementation plan. Public input will be
needed and neighborhood meetings will be a way to create listening sessions. Lists can be made at the meetings
of the issues, ideas and questions from the public. The focus should be on fully functioning water resources and
what are the best, most efficient ways to accommodate the city’s goals. The goals collected from the meetings
will need to be prioritized based on where the city will see the best return on their investment. There are a
number of different vehicles by which information can be gathered from the community. Social media,
neighborhood meetings, surveys, etc are all possibilities. The city is required to solicit public input according to
84-10 sect 90 which states something to the effect of cities developing a plan should use existing data plus
residents’ list of issues and priorities.
Stormwater management is a 3-legged stool comprised of resident’s issues, city’s issues and data. The
Environmental Commission will need to be educated and start brainstorming on ways to collect input. It is
important that a greater cross section of residents are heard from than just lakeshore owners. How to do it?
Should the city be separated into sections for localized meetings or have 1-2 general meetings? Maybe there
should be a focus meeting on topics not specific to lakes? AIS is sure to come up as an important topic, but the
SWMP talks about pollutants and AIS is lumped into that category, among many others. AIS can be included in
the plan as it pertains to water quality not as it pertains to recreational impact. The completed SWMP will
populate the capital improvement projects (CIP) list for the next 5 – 10 years.
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The commission should think about this question: What is water quality? It plays into people’s expectations.
There should be a glossary with a list a state standards and acronyms, available with all public meetings and
information so that a common knowledge base can be shared. The Environmental commission should think about
water quality as residents of Chanhassen and listen to what neighbors are saying about it. Some questions for the
commission to think about: How does the city and commission gather information from as many different types
of residents as possible? What questions does the EC have? Should businesses be involved in brainstorming?
TMDL industrial permit holders could be included maybe. Information gathering will probably occur at schools,
churches, businesses, community events, etc.
The timeline for the plan update is up to two years. Perhaps a plan can be developed by next August. The first
step is data compilation. Terry will visit the commission again in December with an update and to set the meeting
dates for the spring. He’ll be looking for specific ideas on how to gather information from the public.
Fen Day: All of the commissioners are planning on attending. The event will be posted on the e-reader,
facebook, and city website. Jill and Glenn will bring the supplies – donuts, juice, signage, Friends of EC sign up,
etc.
General Discussion:
The commission very much enjoyed the joint tour. They think a tour twice a year would be nice.
The commission should come to the November meeting prepared with ideas for the annual work plan.
Meeting adjourned at approximately 7:35 PM.
Minutes prepared by Jill Sinclair
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City of Chanhassen
Local Stormwater Management Plan Update
Environmental Commission
October 9, 2013
___________________________________________
What is it? A document that sets forth the City’s goals, policies, and actions to manage stormwater and
protect and improve water resources in the city.
Your role? Review and provide input to the Plan and host a Public Meeting.
Why do this? The update is required by State Statute, to be completed within two years following the update
of the watershed management plan. In addition, it is good and responsible infrastructure and
resource management and stewardship.
What is in it? Contains three major sections: an inventory, goals and policies, and an Implementation Plan.
1) Inventory
Inventory of physical environment and water resources
Updated stormwater modeling
Condition assessment: water quality, stream conditions, pond inventory, wetland data
Information from other studies or reports
o TMDLs, Use Attainability Analyses
o Watershed District requirements
o NPDES - stormwater permit requirements
o Wetland inventory
o Bluff Creek Watershed Natural Resources Management Plan
o Wellhead protection plan
o Other agency requirements
2) Goals and Policies
Holistic water management – stormwater, lakes and streams, wetlands, groundwater
3) Implementation Plan
Programs, including education and outreach program
Capital projects
Maintenance actions
Ordinance revisions
Assessment of adequacy of funding
3
City of Chanhassen
Local Stormwater Management Plan Update
Environmental Commission
October 9, 2013
___________________________________________
What is it? A document that sets forth the City’s goals, policies, and actions to manage
stormwater and protect and improve water resources in the city.
Your role? Review and provide input to the Plan and host a Public Meeting.
Why do this? The update is required by State Statute, to be completed within two years
following the update of the watershed management plan. In addition, it is good
and responsible infrastructure and resource management and stewardship.
What is in it? Contains three major sections: an inventory, goals and policies, and an
Implementation Plan.
1) Inventory
Inventory of physical environment and water resources
Updated stormwater modeling
Condition assessment: water quality, stream conditions, pond inventory,
wetland data
Information from other studies or reports
o TMDLs, Use Attainability Analyses
o Watershed District requirements
o NPDES - stormwater permit requirements
o Wetland inventory
o Bluff Creek Watershed Natural Resources Management Plan
o Wellhead protection plan
o Other agency requirements
2) Goals and Policies
Holistic water management – stormwater, lakes and streams, wetlands,
groundwater
3) Implementation Plan
Programs, including education and outreach program
Capital projects
Maintenance actions
Ordinance revisions
Assessment of adequacy of funding
City of Chanhassen Local Water Management Plan Update
October 9, 2013