4.4.
CC Regular Session
- Meeting Date:
- 08/11/2015
- By:
- Bruce Westby, Engineering/Public Works
Information
Title:
Approve Response to Metropolitan Council draft 2015 Twin Cities Metropolitan Area Master Water Supply Plan
Purpose/Background:
Purpose:
The purpose of this case is to approve City staff’s response to the Metropolitan Council’s draft 2015 Twin Cities Metropolitan Area Master Water Supply Plan. The City Council reviewed a draft response on July 28, 2015 and a final draft is now offered for the City Council's consideration. Due to file size (955 pages, 17 MB), the Water Supply Master Plan is not included in this case, but can be found online at www.cityoframsey.com/engineering-department or available upon request by contacting the Engineering Department at 763-433-9820. The draft plan is also included on the July 28, 2015 City Council Agenda.
Background:
The Metropolitan Council originally adopted the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area Master Water Supply Plan (MWSP) in 2010 in support of legislative requirements. The 2010 MWSP is being updated at this time to integrate with Thrive MSP 2040, the region’s 30-year comprehensive plan, which was approved by the Metropolitan Council on May 28, 2014. The 2015 Twin Cities Metropolitan Area MWSP will also incorporate new data and information that has been collected since 2010.
According to the Metropolitan Council, the Draft 2015 Twin Cities Metropolitan Area Master Water Supply Plan provides a framework for sustainable long-term water supply planning at the local and regional level, and provides communities in the region with planning assistance for water supply in a way that:
The MWSP provides guidance so that communities can take the most proactive, cost-effective approach to long-term planning and permitting to ensure plentiful, safe, and affordable water that supports the prosperity and livability of the region for future generations.
As previously mentioned, the 2015 MWSP will incorporate new data and information that has been collected since 2010 including:
Municipalities and Public Water Suppliers are therefore being asked to:
More information on the MWSP is available at http://metrocouncil.org/Wastewater-Water/Planning/Water-Supply-Planning/Master-Water-Supply-Plan.aspx.
The Metropolitan Council released the draft 2015 MWSP for public comment on June 25th. The full 955 page draft plan is attached for reference. Also attached is a 2 page document titled “How to Navigate the Master Water Supply Plan” to assist in reviewing the draft plan. Lastly, attached is the City of Ramsey’s response which incorporates all comments received from the City Council upon reviewing the draft response at the July 28th Council meeting.
Plan review responses must be submitted by 5 pm, Friday, August 21. The Metropolitan Council will adopt the updated Twin Cities Metropolitan Area Master Water Supply Plan in the fall of 2015.
The purpose of this case is to approve City staff’s response to the Metropolitan Council’s draft 2015 Twin Cities Metropolitan Area Master Water Supply Plan. The City Council reviewed a draft response on July 28, 2015 and a final draft is now offered for the City Council's consideration. Due to file size (955 pages, 17 MB), the Water Supply Master Plan is not included in this case, but can be found online at www.cityoframsey.com/engineering-department or available upon request by contacting the Engineering Department at 763-433-9820. The draft plan is also included on the July 28, 2015 City Council Agenda.
Background:
The Metropolitan Council originally adopted the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area Master Water Supply Plan (MWSP) in 2010 in support of legislative requirements. The 2010 MWSP is being updated at this time to integrate with Thrive MSP 2040, the region’s 30-year comprehensive plan, which was approved by the Metropolitan Council on May 28, 2014. The 2015 Twin Cities Metropolitan Area MWSP will also incorporate new data and information that has been collected since 2010.
According to the Metropolitan Council, the Draft 2015 Twin Cities Metropolitan Area Master Water Supply Plan provides a framework for sustainable long-term water supply planning at the local and regional level, and provides communities in the region with planning assistance for water supply in a way that:
- Recognizes local control and responsibility for owning, maintaining and operating water supply systems
- Is developed in cooperation and consultation with municipal water suppliers, regional stakeholders and state agencies
- Protects critical habitat and water resources over the long term
- Meets regional needs for a reliable, secure water supply
- Highlights the benefits of integrated planning for stormwater, wastewater and water supply
- Emphasizes and supports conservation and inter-jurisdictional cooperation, and
- Provides clear guidance by identifying key challenges, issues, and considerations in the region and available approaches (without dictating solutions).
The MWSP provides guidance so that communities can take the most proactive, cost-effective approach to long-term planning and permitting to ensure plentiful, safe, and affordable water that supports the prosperity and livability of the region for future generations.
As previously mentioned, the 2015 MWSP will incorporate new data and information that has been collected since 2010 including:
- New population projections- Metropolitan Council
- Screening of groundwater and surface water relationships- Metropolitan Council
- Mapping of the vulnerability of bedrock aquifers to flow through glacial sediments- MN Geological Survey
- New aquifer testing data collected through community source water protection programs- MN Department of Health
- New groundwater level monitoring data- MN Department of Natural Resources
- Water supply alternative feasibility assessments- Metropolitan Council in partnership with communities
Municipalities and Public Water Suppliers are therefore being asked to:
- Provide guidance on the content and format of the MWSP
- Provide feedback on regional water supply issues, including challenges and opportunities
- Share local data about water resources and water supply planning
- Review draft technical analysis and planning tools
- Review draft Master Water Supply Plan and provide comments
More information on the MWSP is available at http://metrocouncil.org/Wastewater-Water/Planning/Water-Supply-Planning/Master-Water-Supply-Plan.aspx.
The Metropolitan Council released the draft 2015 MWSP for public comment on June 25th. The full 955 page draft plan is attached for reference. Also attached is a 2 page document titled “How to Navigate the Master Water Supply Plan” to assist in reviewing the draft plan. Lastly, attached is the City of Ramsey’s response which incorporates all comments received from the City Council upon reviewing the draft response at the July 28th Council meeting.
Plan review responses must be submitted by 5 pm, Friday, August 21. The Metropolitan Council will adopt the updated Twin Cities Metropolitan Area Master Water Supply Plan in the fall of 2015.
Notification:
Notification is not required.
Observations/Alternatives:
Chapter 1 provides an overview of the draft 2015 MWSP and outlines the rationale and benefits of water supply planning, identifies updates being made to the plan, and describes how the plan can be used to guide planning efforts at the local level, including the potential need to use a multi-community approach in planning for future water supply needs.
Chapter 2 discusses the goal, guiding principles and vision of the draft 2015 MWSP, and states “the Master Water Supply Plan’s single overarching goal is that the region’s water supply is sustainable now and in the future.” The City’s draft response letter acknowledges and supports this goal, though it also stresses the need to achieve this goal in an equitable manner through partnering with other communities.
Chapter 3 explores the region’s current and projected water use demands, and water conservation options.
Chapter 4 considers major water supply sources available to the region, and summarizes challenges and opportunities associated with the major water supply sources.
Chapter 5 looks at water supply issues facing the region, including how they vary across the region.
Chapter 6 identifies some measurable outcomes that can be tracked to monitor progress toward the goal of sustainability.
Chapter 7 provides more detail about how policies and strategies are translated into action by the Metropolitan Council and its partners.
Chapter 8 addresses the roles and responsibilities needed at the various levels (individual, community, regional, state, and federal) to support the implementation of the draft 2015 MWSP.
Staff believes it is critical that the City respond to the draft 2015 MWSP as it is clear that this guidance and planning document will play a role in how the City of Ramsey plans for its future water supply needs, and the costs associated with implementing those plans.
Chapter 2 discusses the goal, guiding principles and vision of the draft 2015 MWSP, and states “the Master Water Supply Plan’s single overarching goal is that the region’s water supply is sustainable now and in the future.” The City’s draft response letter acknowledges and supports this goal, though it also stresses the need to achieve this goal in an equitable manner through partnering with other communities.
Chapter 3 explores the region’s current and projected water use demands, and water conservation options.
Chapter 4 considers major water supply sources available to the region, and summarizes challenges and opportunities associated with the major water supply sources.
Chapter 5 looks at water supply issues facing the region, including how they vary across the region.
Chapter 6 identifies some measurable outcomes that can be tracked to monitor progress toward the goal of sustainability.
Chapter 7 provides more detail about how policies and strategies are translated into action by the Metropolitan Council and its partners.
Chapter 8 addresses the roles and responsibilities needed at the various levels (individual, community, regional, state, and federal) to support the implementation of the draft 2015 MWSP.
Staff believes it is critical that the City respond to the draft 2015 MWSP as it is clear that this guidance and planning document will play a role in how the City of Ramsey plans for its future water supply needs, and the costs associated with implementing those plans.
Funding Source:
This case is being handled as part of normal Staff duties.
Recommendation:
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the attached response to the 2015 Twin Cities Metropolitan Area Master Water Supply Plan to allow submittal to the Metropolitan Council by the August 21st deadline.
Action:
Approve attached response to the draft 2015 Twin Cities Metropolitan Area Master Water Supply Plan.
Attachments
Form Review
| Inbox | Reviewed By | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Brian Hagen | Tim Gladhill | 08/05/2015 08:35 AM |
| Diana Lund | Diana Lund | 08/05/2015 04:02 PM |
| Kurt Ulrich | Jo Thieling | 08/06/2015 08:50 AM |
- Form Started By:
- Bruce Westby
- Started On:
- 07/24/2015 01:13 PM
- Final Approval Date:
- 08/06/2015