Dakota County Planning Commission Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Date: January 24, 2019 Time: 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Members Present Staff Present Others Present Mike Greco Jerry Rich Timothy Tabor Lori Hansen Jill Smith Greg Oxley Amy Hunting Barry Graham Ramraj Singh Christopher Ross Nate Reitz Jim Guttmann Tony Nelson Donald Post Kurt Chatfield Jessica Johnson Steve Sullivan Georg Fischer Valerie Grover Jill Trescott Mary Jackson Jeff Bransford Holly Jenkins (Eagan) Anne Koutnik (Eagan) Avery Hildebrand (Conservation Minnesota) Meeting Called to Order Time: 7:00 p.m. By: Kurt Chatfield Audience items not on the agenda Comments/Notes: Avery Hildebrand, Conservation Minnesota, was in the audience and provided the Planning Commission with information on the upcoming South Metro Water Forum that will take place on May 4, 2019; from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Avery will provide additional information as the date gets closer. Election of Officers A unanimous vote elected Lori Hansen as the Chair for 2019. A majority vote of nine ayes elected Greg Oxley as the Vice-Chair for 2019. A unanimous vote elected Amy Hunting as Secretary for 2019. Approval of agenda Motion by: Commissioner Hunting Second: Commissioner Guttmann Approval of minutes (from December 20, 2018 meeting) Motion by: Commissioner Ross Second: Commissioner Graham Vote: Unanimously approved, with Commissioner Singh and Commissioner Greco abstaining.
Item # 1: Establishment of Planning Commission Meeting Schedule - 2019 Comments/Notes: Kurt Chatfield presented the proposed meeting schedule for 2019 to the Planning Commission. Motion to approve the 2019 Planning Commission meeting schedule, subject to the addition by the County Board of any future combined meetings with the Physical Development Committee. Motion by: Commissioner Reitz Second: Commissioner Greco Item # 2: 2019 Planning Commission Work Plan Comments/Notes: Kurt Chatfield provided a summary of the 2019 Planning Commission Work Plan and detailed key topics that will be discussed over the year. A Commissioner complimented staff and the County Board on the comprehensive work plan, and requested a review of the Planning Commission bylaws. A review of the bylaws can be worked into an upcoming meeting. What is the status of Solid Waste Master Plan? The Solid Waste Master Plan was approved by the County Board and also approved by the MPCA. The next step in the process is to consider ordinance updates that were called for in the plan. Item # 3: 2019 Parks Capital Improvement Program Overview Comments/Notes: Jeff Bransford, Parks Senior Project Specialist, presented the 2019 Parks Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Adopted Budget to the Planning Commission. The presentation included a highlight of the 2018 Parks CIP Budget accomplishments. Is there acquisition included in the River to River Regional Trail Robert Street Crossing budget? Yes, there is acquisition included in that dollar amount. Is Three Rivers Park District on board with extending the Lake Marion Greenway to their park? There is a working group that includes members from Three Rivers Park, and they have given their endorsement. This Lake Marion Greenway trail is planned to lead to the trailhead on the 2
north end of the park and in the future Three Rivers Park District can determine whether it will continue further. Is there a breakdown that shows where the Park CIP money comes from? Staff will provide this information to the Planning Commission at a future meeting. Overall, external funding is 47%, with approximately 35% of the external funding from the Metropolitan Council, 10% from the State and the rest is Federal dollars. Item # 4: County Groundwater Plan Comments/Notes: Valerie Grover, Groundwater Protection Supervisor, provided the Planning Commission with an introduction to the County Groundwater Plan. An overview of the Groundwater Plan process was presented, and the current status of Dakota County groundwater was reviewed. Does the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) have a plan for dealing with the increased cyanazine and pesticide concentrations in groundwater? Yes, the MPCA plans on going out and validating the County s well testing results and communicating with homeowners on solutions. The Planning Commission held a discussion on their role in the Groundwater Plan update process: o How much latitude does the County have based on State and Federal law? The County does have a role today in groundwater protection, but the extent of the County s ability to influence groundwater protection would be part of the plan and included in the research phase. o Given that the County does not have land use authority, how does that affect the County s ability to protect groundwater? The lack of land use authority is a limitation, however, the County does have opportunities to use the Land Conservation program to protect recharge areas and may be able to influence legislation that affects groundwater. o Does the Metropolitan Council have any authority over metro-wide groundwater? They have been authorized by the legislature to be involved in water planning over the last ten years. Cities are now required to have a water supply plan in their comprehensive plans. They work with the DNR who has permitting authority. o It seems it would be irresponsible for the County to not address this issue, and work to find a solution. 3
o A Commissioner shared an experience with a well with high levels of manganese and arsenic, and stressed the need for the County to provide information to future home buyers before they decide to buy a piece of property and drill a well. There is a need for the County to move beyond well testing and help provide solutions. o When water is tested, is it testing for specific contaminates or a full review? Any testing is a series of yes/no questions. The test requires that you are looking for specific contaminates. In the past, most wells were not tested for Manganese. o Will local water management ordinances that require storm water ponds result in better groundwater quality. They will help with groundwater quantity and recharge, although contaminates from stormwater ponds can still make their way into groundwater. o Will this plan address groundwater contamination around Flint Hills? The plan will look at contamination county-wide. However, the areas around Flint Hills are remediation sites and are being managed by the MPCA. In this instance, the groundwater contamination plume is moving towards the Mississippi River and not towards the County and it is not our responsibility to address it. The Planning Commission held a discussion about what other stakeholders should be engaged and how would the Planning Commission like to be involved in the stakeholder/public engagement process. o The Planning Commission should be made aware of open houses and other meetings so members can attend, and information gathered should be shared with the group. o Does the Planning Commission meet the requirements of an advisory group according to the statutes? We have a County Manager form of government through which a statute allows the County Board/Planning Commission to act as an advisory committee. Our intention is to engage the same stakeholders called out in the groundwater plan statute but use the Planning Commission as the advisory body for the plan. What additional information/data does the Planning Commission need to assist in the process? o We need to know a little more about why Dakota County uses more groundwater per capita than other counties. Also, provide the big picture on what is happening to the aquifer and how long can it continue if it continues to be treated the way it is. o How much do other counties spend providing drinking water to their citizens, and how does that compare to Dakota County? o What is the impact of gravel mining on groundwater given the large amount of amount that is happening in Dakota County? 4
o o What is the plan to manage all of the entities that are in charge, the businesses and farmers? Who do they look to for the direct answers? How can we coordinate with other agencies to make it easier to for people and businesses to get the information that they need. Who are all of the agencies involved, and what are their objectives? Upcoming Public Meetings Community Outreach Whitetail Woods Regional Park Master Plan Improvements Open House Vermillion River Greenway Master Plan (Hastings) Open House Thompson County Park Master Plan Open House February 28, 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Western Service Center Atrium Apple Valley March, time and location TBD February 11, 5:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. Dakota Lodge Topics for next meeting: Lebanon Hills Natural Resources Management Plan Land Conservation Plan Update Planning Commissioner Announcements/Updates: No updates were given. Adjourn: 8:55 p.m. Motion by: Commissioner Rich Second: Commissioner Singh Next Regular Meeting: Thursday, February 28, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. Western Service Center Conference room 106. 5