Discuss Request for Annual Contribution Toward the Operation of a River Gage at the Anoka-Champlin Bridge

The City of Champlin reached-out to the City of Ramsey to see if Ramsey would consider assisting with a river gage at the Anoa-Champlin bridge that would help monitor the local stretch of the Mississippi.  USGS and National Weather Service staff indicate that the gage would provide flood forecasting from the mouth of the Crow River to the Coon Rapids dam.  The gage could also provide some recreational value to boaters and anglers.
 
Attached is a power point presentation and sample joint funding agreement provided by James Fallon from USGS.  Mr. Fallon, or another USGS representative, has been invited to attend this work session to explain the specific value of a gage and to answer any questions.
 
On behalf of the four cities adjacent to the Coon Rapids Dam pool (i.e., Brooklyn Park, Coon Rapids, Anoka, and Champlin)  the City of Ramsey and Dayton have been asked to consider contributing  toward the $20,000 annual maintenance contribution.  For reference, Champlin's annual contribution is proposed to be $7,500, and Ramsey has been asked to contribute $2,000 annually.
If the Council is in agreement with the concept of sharing in the cost of the river gage, staff would negotiate an amount of no more than $2,000 based upon consideration of the agreed contributions of other river communities.

Funding could be allocated from the General Fund, or potentially from the Storm Water Fund.

Consensus direction on whether or not to pursue a cost-sharing agreement with other river communities for the USGS river gage at the Anoka-Champlin bridge site.