Stormwater Management Facilities Maintenance Policy and Trail & Sidewalk Maintenance Policy - Recommendations from the Public Works Committee 

Purpose:
The purpose of this work session topic is to apprise the Council on the recommendation of the Public Works Committee to adopt two separate maintenance policies that are on City Council's consent agenda for December 10th, 2024. These are the 'Stormwater Management Facilities Maintenance Policy' and the 'Trail & Sidewalk Maintenance Policy'.  

Background:
The Public Works Committee worked in depth with city staff in the months of September, October and November, 2024, on the two maintenance policies referenced herein, ultimately recommending City Council adoption at their December 10, 2024, meeting. 

The Stormwater Management Facilities Maintenance Policy and Trail & Sidewalk Maintenance Policy document current maintenance practices and set forth the parameters, standards, goals and practices of the respective policies to assist staff in performing and scheduling inspection and maintenance activities, annual budgeting exercises, and implementation.

The City Attorney has reviewed both draft policies and approved both as to legal form.  

Not required.

Staff estimates up to 15 minutes may be needed to highlight notable aspects of the two maintenance policies and respond to questions. 

 

Stormwater Management Facilities Maintenance Policy:
The costs for major work required to maintain the City’s stormwater management facilities will be included within the City of Ramsey’s Capital Improvement Program. As an example, and in keeping with this policy, a CIP sheet is being added to the 2025-2034 CIP with identified annual costs of $40,000 for surveying existing stormwater ponds. 

All costs for the administration and operation of this policy will be funded through the City's Stormwater Funds. The main source of revenues for this fund is the Stormwater Utility Fee.  This policy forecasts that in order to fully fund this program, annual increases in the stormwater utility fee rate will be necessary for the foreseeable future. The City Council will make the decision on whether to fund the program, and at what level, each year as part of its budget process. 


Trail & Sidewalk Maintenance Policy:
The costs for the annual administration and the maintenance of the city's trails and sidewalks will be set forth in the General Fund Budget each year—with the administration performed by staff and the bituminous trail maintenance included in the Parks business unit line item of 'Asphalt'. Similar to the stormwater maintenance policy, the trail maintenance policy recommends annual increases in the Asphalt line item in future years to meet the goals specified within the policy.
 

Staff recommends adoption of Resolutions #24-358 and #24-359 at the regular December 10, 2024, City Council meeting based on consensus approval at the work session.

Consensus approval of the Stormwater Management Facilities Maintenance Policy and Trail & Sidewalk Maintenance Policy and acknowledgment that both policies remain on the Council's consent agenda for adoption by Resolution.