november 12, 2014 cac meeting packet
DESCRIPTION
ÂTRANSCRIPT
Our Mission is to protect, manage and improve the water resources of Capitol Region Watershed District.
Citizen Advisory Committee
7:00 PM, Wednesday, November 12, 2014 – Capitol Region Watershed District 1410 Energy Park
Drive, Suite 4, Saint Paul, MN 55108
Agenda
7:00 I) Welcome, Announcements and Updates – Introductions
A) Introduction of new CAC Member Rick Sanders
7:05 II) Public Comment for issues not on the Agenda (3 minutes per person)
7:08 III) Approval of the Agenda
7:09 IV) Approval of Minutes
Approval of the October 8, 2014 Minutes
7:10 V) District Initiatives for Review, Comment and Recommendations
A) RSVP Program Review, Nate Zwontizer
B) 2014 Watershed Steward Awards Program Recommendation, Awards Committee
8:30 VI) CAC Initiatives
A) CAC Recruitment Update
8:35 VII) Project and Program Updates
Curtiss Pond Improvement Project Update
Highland Ravine Stabilization Project Update
Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area – Rules Update
8:50 VIII) CAC Observer Update
8:55 IX) Discussion A) New & Old Issues
B) CAC Observer for November 19th and December 3rd Board of Managers Meetings
C) December 10, 2014 CAC Agenda Overview
D) 2014 Meeting Schedule
9:00 X) Adjourn
W:\05 Citizen Advisory Committee\Agendas\2014\November 12, 2014 CAC Agenda.docx
Materials
Enclosed
1
Citizen Advisory Committee Meeting
Wednesday, October 8, 2014 – 7:00 p.m.
CAC Members Present:
Gwen Willems
Bill Barton
Richard Weil
Kathryn Swanson
Michelle Ulrich
Members absent: David Arbeit, w/notice
Ted McCaslin, w/notice
Steve Duerre, w/notice
Mike MacDonald, w/notice
Pat Byrne
Others Present:
Mark Doneux, CRWD
Michelle Sylvander, CRWD
Lindsay VanPatten, CRWD
Shirely Reider, Board Manager
Welcome, Announcements, and Updates
Ms. Gwen Willems opened the meeting at 7:05 p.m. with a request for any announcements.
Ms. Reider announced that the Saints Stadium was featured on News 11 and is 60 percent complete.
Ms. Willems gave an update on the Moos Family Speaker, Dr. Jay Famiglietti held on September 18th. Ms.
Willems thanked Mr. Barton, Ms. Swanson, and Mr. Weil for their help at the recruitment table.
Public Comments
No public comments.
Approval of Agenda
Ms. Willems asked for any additions or changes to the Agenda. No additions or changes were made.
CAC 14-072 Motion: To approve the CAC October 8, 2014, agenda.
Weil/Swanson
Unanimously approved
Approval of the September 10, 2014 CAC Minutes
Ms. Willems requested any changes or corrections to the minutes. No changes were made.
CAC 14-073 Motion: To approve the CAC September 10, 2014 CAC Minutes.
Swanson/Weil
Unanimously approved
Draft
“Our mission is to protect, manage, and improve the water resources of the Capitol Region Watershed District.”
2
District Initiatives
A) 2015 Special Grants Review Committee (Zwontizer)
Administrator Donuex gave an update on the 2015 special grants review committee in place of Mr.
Zwontizer. For the past several years the District has budgeted funds for budget fund 440 Special Projects
and Grants. The District typically sets a preliminary budget amount and then solicits applications for
projects to fund. Applications for 2015 Special Grant funds are due October 10, 2014. At the October 1,
2014 the Board meeting, two managers were appointed to the 2015 Special Grants Committee.
Grant applications will need to be reviewed by a committee consisting of staff, Board of Managers, and CAC
members. Two review meetings will be scheduled. The first meeting will take place in mid-late October and
will be an initial review of applications. This review will provide an opportunity to begin ranking
applications and identify questions about specific proposals. Staff will then work with the grant applicants to
respond to those questions. Responses to any questions will be reviewed at the meeting in early November.
It is anticipated that the Board will take action on Special Grant funding at the November 19th Board
meeting.
CAC 14-074 Motion: CAC members Richard Weil & Gwen Willems to serve on the Special Grants
committee.
Swanson/Weil
Unanimously approved
B) 2015 Partner Grants Review Committee (VanPatten)
Ms. VanPatten reviewed that in 2013, CRWD hired HDR, Inc. to develop the 2014-2015 Education Plan which
was presented to CRWD’s Board at the September 4, 2013 meeting. Staff used this plan as a guide to evaluate
2014 Partner Grant applications with the 2014 Partner Grant Review Committee. At the October 1, 2014 Board
meeting, the Board approved the RFP and solicitation list for 2015 Partner Grants and two Board Managers were
appointed to the 2015 Partner Grants Review Committee.
Partner Grants applications will be reviewed by the 2015 Partner Grant Review Committee in November.
Recommendations of the committee will be presented to the Board at the December 3, 2014 Board meeting.
Board requests, that two CAC members be appointed to the 2015 Partner Grants Review Committee.
Timeline for 2015 CRWD Partner Grants:
October 2, 2014 – Distribute grant application to solicitation list, District planning councils, CRWD
media list and email list.
November 7, 2014 – Grant proposals due.
Week of November 17, 2014 – Grant committee meets to discuss proposals and make
recommendations to CRWD Board.
December 3, 2014 – CRWD Board approves committee recommendations.
December 4, 2014 – Staff notifies successful grantees and sends grant agreement.
CAC 14-075 Motion: CAC members Michelle Ulrich & Katheryn Swanson to serve on the 2015 Partner Grants
committee
“Our mission is to protect, manage, and improve the water resources of the Capitol Region Watershed District.”
3
Swanson/Weil
Unanimously approved
CAC Initiatives
A) Watershed Steward Awards Program Update
Members discussed locations and ways to promote the Watershed Steward Awards Programs. Ms.
VanPatten will distribute the program information to the newsletter list.
B) CAC Recruitment Update
The members reviewed a flyer. Members of the CAC felt a map highlighting where current members live
within the watershed district would be beneficial for recruitment efforts.
C) Recap of September 18th Freshwater Society Event with Dr. Jay Famiglietti
Administrator Doneux reviewed the event from September 18, 2014. CRWD partnered with Freshwater
Society. Barr Engineering also co-sponsored the event. CRWD had two tables at the event. One table was
for the CAC to use for recruitment from 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm. The other table was for CRWD educational
displays. Ms. Willems thanked Ms. Kathryn Swanson, Mr. Bill Barton, and Mr. Richard Weil for their help
at the recruitment table. Administrator Doneux requested feedback on the event. Members felt the cost to
sponsor the event was rather high. The event was well attended and created great exposure for the watershed
district. A copy of the registration list will be requested to follow up for prospective CAC members.
CAC 14-076 Motion: Encourage the Board of Managers to support an event in 2015.
Barton/Weil
Unanimously approved
Project and Program Updates
Administrator Doneux gave an update on the Curtiss Pond Improvement Project. In the northeast corner
some questionable soil was found. The soil is being tested to determine the proper way to handle. A utility
line was found in the pond and caused a slight delay. A project camera has been placed on the site to help
monitor the project.
Administrator Doneux provided an update on the Highland Ravine Stabilization project. The project has had
a number of challenges including a late start and extremely wet conditions.
CAC Observer Update
Ms. Reider shared an update on the Eustis Street Stormwater Improvement Project. Soil samples are being
collected. Barr is preparing concepts plans for this project.
Discussion –
A) New & Old Issues
“Our mission is to protect, manage, and improve the water resources of the Capitol Region Watershed District.”
4
Administrator Doneux gave an update on the 2015 budget. The City of St. Paul has provided some feedback.
B) Identify CAC Observer for the October 15th and November 5th Board of Managers Meetings.
No members were identified.
C) November 12th CAC Agenda Overview
Administrator Doneux reviewed the November 12, 2014 meeting agenda. Ms. Elizabeth Beckman will
provide an RSVP update in November. A fish survey maybe moved to the December meeting.
D) 2014 Meeting Schedule
Adjourn –
CAC 14-077 Motion: To adjourn.
Weil/Swanson
Unanimously approved
The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Michelle Sylvander
W:\05 Citizen Advisory Committee\Minutes\2014\October 8, 2014 Draft Minutes.doc
Our Mission is to protect, manage and improve the water resources of Capitol Region Watershed District.
DATE: November 6, 2014
TO: Citizen Advisory Committee
FROM: Elizabeth Beckman and Nate Zwonitzer
RE: RSVP Rain Garden Partnership Update
Background
In 2008, CRWD began a partnership with City of Saint Paul Public Works Street Design to offer
interested homeowners a curb cut rain garden. The program is part of the City’s Residential Street Vitality
Program (RSVP) which coordinates street and utility reconstruction. The City constructs the gardens in
the boulevard if conditions are appropriate, CRWD provides plants and often coordinates a planting day,
and the adjacent homeowners agree to long-term maintenance. Since spring of 2008, 207 curb cut
boulevard rain gardens have been planted, and more are being planned.
Issues
CRWD staff have recently completed a review of all RSVP gardens constructed in eight project areas.
Projects were inspected for specific maintenance items such as inlet condition, sufficient watering, and
presence of weeds, then given an overall grade based on the garden’s condition. Gardens receiving a B
or C grade will receive follow-up information from CRWD on how to correct any identified issues. The
table below shows the results of the inspections.
RSVP A B C Total
Ashland - Pascal 7 8 2 17
Blair - Griggs 36 19 4 59
Prior - Goodrich 44 7 1 52
Hatch - Agate 2 1 3
Madison - Benson 9 9
Arlington - Rice 21 2 23
Hewitt - Tatum 23 6 1 30
St. Anthony Park 14 14
Total 156 43 8 207
Due to the number of projects (and additional planned projects) staff are developing tools that utilize the
District’s BMP database to manage inspection information and generate mailings. Staff have also worked
with a consulting firm to develop a tool to identify appropriate rain garden locations to ensure projects
result in significant water quality improvement. Additionally, staff are reviewing current planting
templates based on field observations and will make modifications to those plans to improve the aesthetics
and ease of maintenance for future RSVP projects.
Request Action
Provide comments on RSVP Rain Garden Partnership.
W:\05 Citizen Advisory Committee\2014 Files\CAC Memo RSVP Update 2014.docx
November 12, 2014
V. District Initiatives A.) RSVP
Rain Garden Partnership Update
(Zwonitzer & Beckman)
Our Mission is to protect, manage and improve the water resources of Capitol Region Watershed District.
DATE: November 6, 2014
TO: Citizen Advisory Committee
FROM: Mark Doneux
RE: Watershed Steward Awards Program Recommendation
Background
At the September 10, 2014 CAC meeting, the committee reviewed and adopted the 2014 Awards
Program to recognize residents and partners of CRWD. The Committee approved four award
categories and the program was promoted by CRWD staff and CAC members.
Issues
Twelve nominations for the 2014 Watershed Steward Awards program were received.
Nominations were received for three of the four award categories. The Awards Committee
consisting of Mike MacDonald and David Arbeit and Mark Doneux from staff will meet on
Monday, October 10, 2014 to review the nominations and make a recommendation to the CAC
at the November 12, 2014 meeting. The Board will approve the award winners at the December
3, 2014 Board meeting. Below is a summary of the nominations.
Watershed Citizen Award: 3
1. Ryan Backman, Teacher at Central High School
2. Janna Caywood,
3. Linda Jungwirth
Watershed Partner Award: 7
1. City of Falcon Heights – Attn: Kristine Giga, City Engineer
2. Great River Greening – Attn: Deborah Karasov, Executive Director
3. City of Saint Paul Environmental Section in Parks and Rec Dept.
4. Solution Blue, Inc. – Attn: Mitchell Cookas
5. St. Anthony Park Community Council Environment Committee, Attn: Stephen Mastey
6. First Covenant Church
7. Urban Roots staff and interns – Attn: David Rittenhouse
Young Watershed Steward: 2
1. David Rittenhouse
2. Urban Roots staff and interns – Attn: David Rittenhouse
Lifetime Stewardship Nominations: 0
Request Action
Recommend 2014 Watershed Steward Award Winners.
W:\05 Citizen Advisory Committee\2014 Files\CAC Memo 2014 Watershed Steward Awards nomination update.docx
November 12, 2014
V. District Initiatives B.)
Watershed Steward Awards
Program Recommendation
CAC Orientation/Recruitment Discussion Topics Orientation Subcommittee: Steve Duerre, Michelle Ulrich, Gwen Willems
1. Numbers
Historically the CAC has had at least 15 members, recently 11, and with two resignations, now 9. How many members would we like to have?
2. Targeted Recruitment
Methods Distribute brochures Have tables at events Run short articles in newsletters and neighborhood newspapers Encourage our friends and neighbors to apply Spread the word through block clubs Use social media Have flyers at the CRWD booth at the State Fair
People Geography – could use representation from Frogtown, parts of St. Paul, Phalen Gender Under-represented groups Individuals or groups from UofM Community Capacity Assessemnt Age
Organizations Colleges (Macalester, St. Thomas, Concordia, St. Kate’s, Hamline, U of M, St. Paul Tech, Metro State) Churches District councils Ethnic organizations Neighborhood organizations Business groups (chambers of commerce, Lions, downtown development, Grand Ave., University Ave.) St. Paul Public Works, Street Department Grant Recipients Local environmental organizations (Friends of the Mississippi, Isaac Walton, Audubon, Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, Sierra Club, Freshwater Society, Ramsey Conservation District)
3. Flyer
4. Mentoring
Updated: September 10, 2014
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Lauderdale
Roseville
St. Paul
LakeMcCarrons
Como Lake
LoebLake
CrosbyLake
Mississippi River
Maplewood
Mississippi River
TROUT BROOKCOMO
CROSBY
ST. ANTHONY PARK
DAVERN
ST. ANTHONY HILL
MISSISSIPPI RIVER BLVDEAST KITTSONDALE
PHALEN CREEK
DOWNTOWN
MCCARRONS LAKE
WEST KITTSONDALEURBAN
WEST SEVENTH
GOODRICHWESTERN
HIDDEN FALLS
35e
B36
280
Pat Byrne
Mary Texer
Seitu Jones
Joe Collins
Mike ThienesGwen Willems
Ted McCaslin
Richard Weil
David Arbeit
Steven Duerre
Shirley Reider
William Barton
Michelle Ulrich
Michael MacDonald35e
94
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Dale
Rice
Snell
ing
Shepard
University
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36
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Lexin
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Como
Maryland
Arlington
Randolph
Ford
Saint Clair
Summit
Cleve
land
Victor
ia
Wheelock
Jack
son
25
Pierce Butler
Energy Park
Earl
Jefferson
Arcad
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Haml
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Edge
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Warner
10
Prior
6th
Roselawn
Robert
Fairv
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Saint Paul
Raymond
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280
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12th
Grand
Minnehaha
Lafayette
Vand
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Ivy
Edgcumbe
52
0 1 2 30.5MilesI
FalconHeights
Capitol Region Watershed District is home to more than 225,000 people and is 42% impervious surfaces.
35E
94
City Boundary
CRWD
Parks
Roads
Subwatersheds
Major Waterbodies
Major Highways
Board Manager
CAC Member
In-Progress
Completed Projects
Capitol Region Watershed District
Citizen Advisory Committee
2015 Agenda Plan
Updated: November 7, 2014
Pervious Parking Lot
Permit Program Update
Education Program Update
Groundwater Management Plan Update
W:\05 Citizen Advisory Committee\Agendas\2014\2015 CAC Agenda Plan 11-7-14.doc
CAC Meeting Date District Initiatives CAC Initiatives
December 10, 2014 - 2015 Reappointment
Recommendations
- Eustis Street Stormwater
Improvements
- 2014 Fish Survey
January 14, 2015 - Stewardship Grants Update 2015 CAC Meeting Plan
February 11, 2015 - Partner Grant Review Discuss 2015 “Event”
March 11, 2015
-Event Planning
April 8, 2015 -Election of Officers
May 13, 2015
-2014 Monitoring Reports -Awards Program
-Event Planning
-CAC Tour Planning
June 10, 2015 Tour of District Projects
July 8 or 15, 2015
2016 Work Plan Development -Awards Program Development
-Event Planning
August 12, 2015
Review and Comment on 2016 Budget -Awards Program Development
-Event Planning
September 9, 2015
-Awards Program
-CAC Recruitment
October 14, 2015
Special and Partner Grant Committees - Awards Program
November 10 or 12,
2015
RSVP Program Update
December 9, 2015
2016 Reappointment
Recommendations