CAC packet February 12, 2014

Citizen’s Advisory Committee 7:00 PM, Wednesday, February 12, 2014 - Capitol Region Watershed District Office Agenda 7:00

I)

Welcome, Announcements and Updates – Introductions

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

Materials Enclosed

Approval of the January 15, 2013 Minutes 7:10

V)

District Initiatives A) 2013 Partner Grant Program Overview and 2014 Partner Grant Projects, Elizabeth Beckman/Lindsay Van Patten B) CRWD BMP Database – Gustavo Castro

8:15

VI)

CAC Initiatives A) Discuss the Development of CAC Orientation Packet B) Discuss basic elements of fall 2014 “Event”

8:45

VII)

Project and Program Updates A) Lowertown Ballpark Update (Doneux)

8:50

VIII) CAC Observer Update

8:55

IX)

Discussion A) B) C) D)

9:00

X)

New & Old Issues Identify CAC Observer future Board of Managers Meetings March 12th CAC Agenda Overview 2014 Meeting Schedule

Adjourn

W:\05 Citizens Advisory Committee\Agendas\2014\February 12, 2014 CAC Agenda.docx

Our Mission is to protect, manage and improve the water resources of Capitol Region Watershed District.

Draft

Citizen Advisory Committee Meeting Wednesday, January 15, 2014 – 7:00 p.m.

CAC Members Present: Gwen Willems Michelle Ulrich Steve Duerre David Arbeit Bill Barton Katheryn Swanson Mike MacDonald Pat Byrne

Members absent: Janna Caywood, w/notice Ted McCaslin, w/notice Michelle Ulrich, w/notice Richard Weil, w/notice

Others Present: Mark Doneux, CRWD Michelle Sylvander, CRWD Stephanie Herbst, CRWD Britta Suppes, CRWD Joe Bischoff, Wenck

Welcome, Announcements, and Updates Mr. Arbeit opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. with a request for any announcements.

Ms. Swanson shared that she has information about an internship/volunteer undergraduate program. Ms. Swanson will forward this information to Administrator Doneux.

Public Comments Mr. Duerre asked if there were any updates from the City regarding salting applications. Administrator Doneux replied that he attended a meeting with the City to discuss winter street maintenance. After a challenging snow fall the media quoted the City as using 800 pounds of salt per lane mile on residential streets. The media failed to report how the city has certified training for plow truck drivers and that experimental snow plowing blades have been installed on some of the plow trucks in addition to sensors for detecting the temperature of the pavement.

Mr. Barton shared a flyer for a film titled Growth Busters. The film will be shown at the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church at 700 South Snelling Avenue on Thursday, February 27th at 7:00pm. This event is free and co-sponsored by the Wetlands and Water Committee North Star Chapter Sierra Club.

Approval of Agenda Mr. Arbeit asked for any additions or changes to the Agenda. There were no changes.

CAC 13-031 Motion: To approve the CAC January 15, 2014 agenda.

Willems/Duerre Unanimously approved Approval of the December 11, 2013 CAC Minutes Mr. Arbeit requested any changes or corrections to the minutes.

CAC 13-032 Motion: To approve the CAC December 11, 2013 CAC Minutes with one correction as noted.

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Duerre/McDonald Unanimously approved District Initiatives A) CRWD Administrator, Doneux introduced Joe Bischoff with Wenck Assocaites, Inc. In early January 2013, CRWD hired Wenck Associates, Inc. to conduct a more in-depth analysis of the four CRWD lakes water quality data collected by Ramsey County to better understand temporal, seasonal and climatic trends and the factors driving these trends. Specifically, CRWD sought answers to several questions for each of the lakes including: 1) Is the lake water quality data generally getting better or worse; 2) What are the trends; and 3) What factors are driving these trends. Mr. Bischoff reviewed statistical and graphical analysis of CRWD lake water quality data, trend analysis of selected water quality parameters, and a qualitative assessment of potential trend drivers.

B) CRWD Water Resource Technician, Ms. Herbst reviewed a power point presentation of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program. The program is an education and certification program developed

by Audubon International that seeks to minimize the potentially harmful impacts of golf course operations.

Golf courses that choose to partake in the program are held responsible to implement a plan that will address key environmental components. Como Golf Course and Highland Golf Course are both members of the Sanctuary Program. The golf courses are responsible for implementing a set of environmental management practices that target six key areas: environmental planning, wildlife and habitat management, chemical use reduction and safety, water conservation, water quality management, and outreach and education.

Documentation is required, and designation as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary is awarded by Audubon International upon meeting environmental management standards in each area. In 2012, Capitol Region Watershed District (CRWD) entered verbal agreements with the Highland Golf Course and the Como Golf Course stating that CRWD would lead efforts for the golf courses’ water quality monitoring programs. A Guide to Environmental Stewardship on the Golf Course, the official guide for the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program, describes the purpose and procedure of water quality monitoring. As outlined in the guide, CRWD collected samples once a month for four months (June- September) that were analyzed for physical characteristics and nutrient concentrations.

Based on the 2013 data, the parameter of greatest concern for both golf courses is total phosphorus (TP).

Total phosphorus relates to dissolved oxygen (DO) because an excessive amount of TP could lead to eutrophication, a process in which excessive aquatic growth depletes oxygen supply. According to A Guide to Environmental Stewardship on the Golf Course, baseline testing should be conducted four times per year during the first two years. 2013 marks the end of the baseline testing. For future years, sampling twice a year is considered sufficient, unless problems such as algae blooms, fish kills, or unusual wildlife behavior arise.

CAC Initiatives A) Develop Outline of 2014 Meetings Administrator Doneux reviewed the scheduled CAC meeting dates for 2014. Action items and items for review/comment that were requested by the CAC members, were drafted into the calendar. The tentative schedule of items includes: February or March - Visit from Ellen Anderson, how to effectively communicate with the Legislature May – Update on monitoring program June – Site tour of CRWD projects August – 2015 Budget review, complete a new member packet “Our mission is to protect, manage, and improve the water resources of the Capitol Region Watershed District.”

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October - A large event with a guest speaker December – reappoint CAC members B)

Discuss the Development of CAC Orientation Packet

Administrator Doneux asked the members of the CAC their feelings about outsourcing the orientation packet. Additional discussion on this item has been moved to the February 12th meeting.

C)

Follow up discussion from December 11th CAC meeting

This item has been moved to the February 12th meeting.

Project and Program Updates A)

North and East Groundwater Management Area (Doneux)

Administrator Doneux attended a meeting with the DNR. The DNR is developing three groundwater pilot programs. CRWD is located in the area where one of these pilot programs will take place. Further meetings are scheduled with more details.

CAC Observer and Board of Managers Update Mr. Arbeit attended the December 18th Board of Managers meeting. Prior to the meeting a social hour was held with staff and guests. Administrator Doneux presented a review of the 15 year history of CRWD. He reviewed selected projects and the impact they have had on stormwater. Time was dedicated to awards presented to staff member Bob Fossum, Board of Manager Mike Thienes for his fifteen years of service.

Family & Friends of Jerome Wagner attended for a special presentation of a memorial plaque in his honor.

Discussion – A) New & Old Issues There was no discussion.

B) Identify CAC Observer for January 22nd Board of Managers Meeting and the February 5th, 2014 Board of Managers Meeting C) CAC Agenda Overview Adjourn – CAC 13-033 Motion: To adjourn.

MacDonald/Byrne Unanimously approved The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 PM. Respectfully submitted, Michelle Sylvander W:\05 Citizens Advisory Committee\Minutes\2014\January 15, 2014 Draft Minutes.doc

“Our mission is to protect, manage, and improve the water resources of the Capitol Region Watershed District.”

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Capitol Region Watershed District Citizen Advisory Committee 2014 Agenda Plan Updated: February 6, 2014 CAC Meeting Date January 15, 2014

CAC Initiatives 2014 CAC Meeting Plan

April 9, 2014

District Initiatives Lakes Analysis Audubon Certification Partner Grant Review BMP Database Review -Stewardship Grant Program Updates -Adopt CAC Duties and Responsibilities Awards Program Development

May 14, 2014

2013 Monitoring Program

CAC Orientation Packet

June 11, 2014

Tour of District Projects

July 16, 2014

2015 Work Plan Development

February 12, 2014 March 12, 2014

August 13, 2014

Election of Officers

CAC Orientation Packet CAC Orientation Packet

September 10, 2014 October 8, 2014 November 12, 2014 December 10, 2014

CAC Orientation Packet Discuss 2014 “Event�

How to Be Effective with the Legislature

2015 Reappointment Recommendations

Pervious Parking Lot Permit Program Update Education Program Update Groundwater Management Pan Update W:\05 Citizens Advisory Committee\Agendas\2014\2014 CAC Agenda Plan 2-6-14.doc

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February 12, 2014 V. District Initiatives A) Partner Grant Program Overview (VanPatten)

DATE: TO: FROM: RE:

February 6, 2014 CRWD Citizens Advisory Committee Lindsay VanPatten, Education and Administrative Assistant CRWD Partner Grant Program Overview

Background CRWD Partner Grants support organizations who share in our mission to protect, manage and improve water resources. Grants are awarded once a year, and typically range from $2,000 to $20,000. Partner Grants have been awarded since 2007 to help further education and outreach goals of CRWD. Issues In 2013, the Board approved staff to hire a consultant to develop an Education and Outreach Strategic Plan for 2014-2015. Staff considered the goals and initiatives of the plan to help guide the 2014 grant review process. Members of the CAC were part of the Partner Grant Review Committee. Staff will review results of 2013 Partner Grant projects, provide an update on projects approved for 2014 as well as give a general update on education and outreach work from the last year.

2013 Partner Grant Recipients # 1 2

Organization

Project Name

2013 Request

Total Funding

Alliance for Sustainability Ce Tempoxcalli

Faith community organizing Mother Earth Fest event

$20,000 $20,000

$10,000 $10,000

3

Citizens League/CLNN

Citizen network development/action project

$20,000

$10,000

4 5

City of Saint Paul Public Works Community Design Center

Snow removal equipment and training Conservation intern salaries

$20,000 $15,000

$10,000 $5,000

$20,000 $12,000

$5,000 $12,000

$10,000

$10,000

$20,000 $157,000

$10,000 $82,000

6 7

Fortin Consulting Friends of the Miss. River

8

Great River Greening

Update winter maintenance training materials Stewardship program Science Area Teen Network program

9

Lake McCarrons Neighborhood Assn.

Weed harvesting, AIS education, boat launch plumbing

Over

Our Mission is to protect, manage and improve the water resources of Capitol Region Watershed District.

2014 Partner Grant Recipients

#

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Organization

Project name

Asian Outdoor Heritage

Outreach to Hmong community, events and training

Ce Tempoxcalli

Chalchiutlique festival

Citizens League/CLNN

Citizen organizing and leaf cleanup

Friends of the Miss. River

River stewardship programming

Frogtown Green Harambee Elementary Lower Phalen Creek Project Metro Watershed Partners Public Art Saint Paul

Citizen organizing, education and signage Teacher training, curriculum and events Refurbishment of Gateway garden, signage Adopt-a-Stormdrain smartphone app Artful rain garden at Western and Marshall

Urban Roots

Youth internship stipends

Wisdom Dances

Citizen organizing and cultural event

Action Requested No Action required. For information only.

W:\05 Citizens Advisory Committee\2014 Files\CAC Memo 2014 E&O and Partner Grant Updates 2-12-14.docx

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2014 Request

Total Funding

$8,150

$8,000

$16,539

$10,000

$20,000

$10,000

$14,635

$6,000

$13,900

$12,000

$10,826

$9,000

$12,000

$5,500

$20,000

$8,000

$20,000

$3,000

$12,006

$12,000

$10,000 $224,056

$10,000 $98,500

February 12, 2014 V. District Initiatives B) CRWD BMP Database (Castro)

DATE: TO: FROM: RE:

February 6, 2014 Citizen Advisory Committee Gustavo Castro Stormwater BMP Database Update

Background CRWD has been providing BMP cost share grants since 2003, completing capital improvement projects since 2002, and issuing permits for stormwater management practices since 2006. To date, CRWD has managed the information related to the ownership and location of these BMPs in Excel spreadsheets. To better manage this increasingly large amount of data, provide opportunities to share information with the general public, and integrate mapping capabilities with BMP inspection, function and maintenance, CRWD is exploring new technologies to obtain, file, and use this data.

Purpose and General Parameters 

The main purpose of the Stormwater BMP Database is to track costs, status, inspections, maintenance, and map location of stormwater BMPs within CRWD including: o o o o



Private/public projects permitted by CRWD CRWD Capital Improvement Projects (CIPs) CRWD grant projects City of Saint Paul’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP), Residential Street Vitality Program (RSVP), and Inspiring Communities Program projects which involved CRWD

The system will incorporate the following basic characteristics: o o o o o o o o o o

Web-based Mobile data collection Connectivity to document, plans, and photos Automated QA/QC of data entry/edits Sort/filter projects using different parameters Identify/search projects Automated creation of editable forms and letters Address lists and mailing labels Intuitive user interfaces for non-technical users Capability to display information in GIS layers using a variety of basemaps

Our Mission is to protect, manage and improve the water resources of Capitol Region Watershed District.

Timing CRWD intends to have a fully function system for the 2014 construction season.

Examples

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