Review Final Draft of Lower Rum River Watershed Management Organization Joint Powers Agreement

Purpose:
The purpose of this case is to review the draft 2025-2034 Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) for the continued operation of the Lower Rum River Watershed Management Organization (LRRWMO) in preparation for approving the JPA during the regular City Council meeting per the companion consent agenda case.  

Background:
The draft 2025-2034 LRRWMO JPA was drafted by the LRRWMO attorney at the direction of the LRRWMO Board of Managers to update the language in the current JPA to remove historic language that is no longer needed, more accurately reflect how the Watershed Management Organization actually operates, and provide for its continued operation through January 1, 2035.  The current JPA will expire January 1, 2025,

The draft 2025-2034 JPA addresses review comments submitted by the three member cities, including Ramsey City Council comments made during their work session on October 8, 2024.  Attached is a copy of the October 8th work session case with copies of the previously executed JPA's attached, along with a redlined version of the May 12, 2024, draft 2025-2034 JPA.. Also attached are approved meeting minutes from this work session, along with an email summarizing staff and City Council comments that was submitted to the LRRWMO by the City Engineer/Public Works Director on October 10, 2024, for consideration during the LRRWMO Board meeting on October 17, 2024.  A copy of the draft meeting minutes from the October 17, 2024, LRRWMO Board meeting is attached, along with the agenda from the November 21, 2024, LRRWMO meeting and the JPA update case, which includes a clean version of the draft 2025-2034 JPA and draft supporting Council resolution.  A relined version of the draft 2025-2034 JPA is also attached to this case for reference.

Councilmember Musgrove is the City of Ramsey's Commissioner on the LRRWMO Board and serves as Chair of the LRRWMO Board of Commissioners. 

A companion case has been added to the regular City council meeting consent agenda requesting approval of the attached draft 2025-2034 LRRWMO JPA.  Should the City Council request additional revisions, the consent agenda case will need to be pulled from the agenda and staff will work with the LRRWMO to incorporate the requested revisions into the draft 2025-2034 LRRWMO JPA with the goal of obtaining City Council approval on December 10th, the last regular City Council meeting of 2024.  

Staff recommends approving the attached 2025-2034 LRRWMO JPA before January 1, 2025. 

The City Attorney has reviewed the draft 2025-2034 LRRWMO JPA and approved it as to legal form. 

Provide any final comments or revision requests to staff to allow the draft 2025-2034 LRRWMO JPA to receive City Council approval by January 1, 2025.