ERMUSR MISC 11-13-2007~/
Elk River
Municipal Utilities
13069 Orono Parkway • P.O. Box 430
Elk River, MN 55330-0430
November 7, 2007
To: Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission
Jerry Takle
Jerry Gumphrey
Jim Tralle
From: Bryan Adams
Subject: Miscellaneous Issues
Phone: 763.441.2020
Fax: 763.441.8099
Enclosed is the packet for Tuesday, November 13, 2007 commission meeting at 4:00 p.m.
To date the water and electrical usage is above last year at 8.2% and 9.58% respectively.
Attached is a memo to the City Council requesting a black dirt policy. A major question is who
will be doing the inspection, city staff or utility staff. The city staff wants no part of the
inspection or enforcement process. The utility perspective is the building inspectors already
perform the inspection process, why involve another department in the inspection process.
APPA 2008 legislative rally is February 25-27, 2008 in Washington D.C. APPA and MMUA
are recommending we book reservations early to reserve space. I will attend this event unless
this commission desires otherwise. I would also encourage this commission to attend. Attached
is information about this rally.
The Virginia Transformer sent back for repairs should arrive at the Waco Substation on
November 13, 2007. We completed the substation testing on the West Substation bank 2. This
was a worthwhile endeavor for we did find some minor issues.
Attached is a Halloween picture of our office staff as a replacement line crew...pretty tough
crew.
Lastly, is an article from the Star Tribune from the October 27, 2007 edition titled "Is The
Nation's Supply Of Water In Crisis?" Another good article on water quality issues.
REQUEST FOR ACTION
ver
To Item Number
Ci Council
Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by
November 13, 2007 B an Adams Elk River Utilities
Item Description Reviewed by
Black Dirt Ordinance
Reviewed by
Action Requested
Elk River Municipal Utilities recommends City Councils direct staff to develop a black dirt ordinance to
foster water conservation that contains the following principals.
1) 4 inches of black dirt shall be tilled into the top approximate 8" of existing soil.
2) 4 inches of black dirt shall have the approximate following make-up by volume
Sand - 61%
Clay - 12%
Silt - 12%
Organic - 15%
3) Areas that naturally contain this approximate soil make-up shall be classified as meeting the
black dirt policy.
4) Inspection as part of the certificate of occupancy process by building inspections.
Background/Discussion
As Elk River continues to grow, so does the demand for water. The attached Chart #1 reflects Elk
River's past and future growth trends on a daily and annual basis. Our past annual growth trend has been
in the 7% range or a new water production facility every 3 years. We currently have 7 water production
facilities with the 8th under construction in Twin Lakes Estates. All of our facilities utilize the Mt Simon
Hinkley aquifer. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently increased our ground
water appropriation to 1.6 billion gallons per year and 5 additional wells. This increase should satisfy our
growth needs for the next 10 years. This increase in water appropriations is also contingent on
continuing our water conservation efforts which is the subject of this memo.
Chart #2 reflects the maximum daily and monthly water pumpage for years 2006 and 2007. Elk River's
domestic water need is in the 38 million gallons per month range or 1.26 million gallons per day. This is
approxunately what the waste water plant processes daily. In the non winter months, water demand
drastically increases to 160 million gallons per month or 7 million gallons per day. This increase is due to
lawn irrigation. On an annual basis, lawn irrigation accounts for approximately 45% of our water use. Is
this a good use of a limited resource?
The attached two articles from the September 16, 2007 Star Tribune titled "Battling Tainted Water" and
"The Pollution That Lies Beneath" very accurately explains the water situation in the metro area. Elk
River uses the Mt. Simon Hinkley aquifer as a sole source water supply. As other metro communities
seek a better water supply, the Mt. Simon Hinkley aquifer will receive more withdraws in the future and
\\Win2003_sever\h\GM Documents\Black Dirt Action Requested.doc
has the potential to affect us. The DNR requires us to implement water conservation programs. We
have a social obligation to use our natural resources wisely. As we are experiencing global warming, the
change in weather patterns will increase demand for water. Being Energy City also obligates us to
promote conservation and make wise use of a limited resource.
We are proposing a black dirt ordinance with the urging of the DNR as a strategy to reduce irrigation
needs. Tilling black dirt into the native soil will help retain moisture longer in the grass root area thus
reducing irrigation needs from 10% to 25%. This also has the benefit of reducing soil compaction thus
minimizing run off. This strategy is particularly effective in sandy soil which is prevalent in the Elk River
area.
The following communities have implemented a black dirt ordinance.
Otsego -developers must use 6" of black dirt where the ground is sandy.
Rogers - 4" black dirt. Much of Rogers is heavy clay. They will be annexing additional areas with sandy
soil.
St. Michael/Albertville - 2" black dirt ordinance is under consideration. DNR is encouraging them to
adopt an ordinance.
Big Lake -requires 4" of black dirt for seeded lawns and 2" of black dirt under sodded areas.
Becker -requires 3" of black dirt by homeowner, not developer.
Ramsey - no requirements.
Monticello -requires 4" of black dirt.
Andover -requires 4" of black dirt. Winter construction developer puts money in escrow.
Zimmerman -requires 4" of black dirt.
St. Francis - 2" of black dirt.
Brooklyn Park -requires 4" of black dirt.
Blaine -requires 4" of black dirt.
Maple Grove -requires 4" of black dirt.
Stillwater -requires 4" of black dirt in boulevards only.
Northfield -requires 4" of black dirt.
Buffalo - 4" top soil.
Princeton - 4" top soil.
Coon Rapids - 2" top soil.
The above cities we surveyed, generally the city building inspection department does the inspection and
enforcement. Escrow payment is made to insure compliance. It is also interesting to note that many of
the above referenced cities include a landscaping ordinance specifying number and size of trees and
shrubs for residential lots.
Financial Impact
This will cost the new home owner approximately $3,000 for an average city lot and may be difficult to
enforce. Some communities have experienced lawns not being installed due to the added cost.
Attachments
Chart #1 -Post and future growth trends.
Chart #2 - 2006 & 2007 peak day and monthly water pumpage.
September 16, 2007 Star Tribune Articles.
\\Win2003_sever\h\GM Documents\Black Dirt Ac[ion Requested.doc
ver
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and City Council
..~
i ~~' ~
~ ~ >~
` 5 ,~,/'`
,_ t
~Y J ~'~
Y
FROM: Terry Maurer, Public Works Director ~~~
DATE: November 13, 2007
SUBJECT: Black Dirt Policy
Lori Johnson, City Administrator, was planning to prepare a memo summarizing the city
staff position on the requested Elk River Municipal Utilities black dirt policy, but in her need
to be out of the office this week, I have been asked to prepare this memo. Prior to doing so,
I have consulted with Lori Johnson and other department/division heads within the City
Hall regarding this issue. City staff is fully in support of the Municipal Utilities' efforts to
reduce water consumption through various methods. If the City Council agrees with the
proposed black dirt policy, city staff would recommend that the Municipal Utilities prepare a
written policy that can be distributed with every building permit, explaining what is required
and how it will be inspected to determine compliance with the polity. We would then
recommend that an additional black dirt inspection be put into PermitWorks for every
building permit. We would recommend that Bryan Adams or his representative be
responsible for performing the black dirt inspection to determine appropriate compliance
with the policy. Once compliance is achieved, the Utilities have access to PermitWorks and
can check that inspection as passed. The city building official will review all inspections
prior to issuing a certificate of occupancy. This is very similar to how water services and
water meter installations are handled currently.
City staff members have been discussing this issue with Bryan for 6 -8 months. City staff
does have a number of concerns relative to how much a policy like this will actually reduce
water consumption, what will be the actual cost to the end user for this type of policy, and
how difficult will it be to implement. The specific questions raised by city staff to Bryan
Adams are included in a memo from Jeremy Barnhart, Planning Manager to Bryan Adams
dated April 26, 2007, a copy of which is attached.
Should you have any questions of city staff relative to this policy, I will be in attendance at
your Tuesday workshop.
S:\PUBLIC WORK.4\2007 CC memos\11 07 07 Black Dirt Policy.doc
•
To: Bryan Adams, Municipal Utilities Superintendent
From Jeremy Barnhart, Planning Manager
CC: Terry Maurer, Scott Clark, Rebecca Haug, Bob Ruprecht, Sheila Cartney
Date: April 26, 2007
Re: Proposed dirt ordinance
Thank you for allowing Community Development and Engineering staff to comment on the
proposed minimum top soil "Dirt" ordinance being contemplated by the Utilities Commission
.and Staff.
We met on Tuesday, April 24 and have some comments regarding the potential ordinance.
These comments include:
1. It appears the intent is a reduction of water usage. How much reduction is
antiapated? Is there independent, supporting information available for review?
2. Are there other options available that reduce water usage as effectively? Water
rates, education, enforced water/ sprinkli a restrictions, native grasses, etc.
3. How effective will this ordinance be when the majority of the `urban' area has
been built out and or platted?
4. There is some concern that this proposed ordinance penalizes a majority for the
few (those that water their lawns).
5. ghat is the difference between black dirt and top soil?
6. What is the antidpated cost for the homeowner? What is the savings? As part of
street construction projects, the City imports black dirt (top soil), because it is not
found in the City, increasing the cost.
7. Who puts the soil on, and when? Developer at Final Plat or the Builder at CO,
homeowner?
8. Enforcement, who does its
9. The City was required to obtain a NPDES permit in 2003 and part of that permit
is to reduce the amount of run-off in to the storm sewer system. It also requires
us to infiltrate more and achieve the 1988 infiltration rates for the City. Would this
reduce the amount of infiltration and increase the amount of run-off?
1
10. How will adding 4-6 inches of soil affect the approved grading plans?
11. How would the wide variety of soils and lots types, sandy and clay soils, small lots
and rural lots be dealt with?
Again, thank you for allowing us to comment on pour proposed ordinance. We do have some
concern with the effectiveness of such an ordinance, and wonder if other options should be
explored before entering into an ordinance situation. Please feel free to contact me with any
questions or comments.
• Page 2
Adams, Bryan
From: Greg T. Oxley [goxley@mmua.org]
Sent: Tuesday, October 30, 2007 10:55 AM
To: acrowser@rea-alp.com; dvoss@ci.anoka.mn.us; JerryM@austinutilities.com; Bill Black;
theoldsalt29@msn.com; Adams, Bryan; Joseph.steffel@cityofbuffalomn.org;
Dalene@mncable.net; cpunt@lakesnet.net; Doug Carnival; dboyce@ci.east-grand-
forks.mn.us; Greg T. Oxley; Hutchinson -Mike Kum; Jack Kegel; Jim Kochevar; Marshall-
Brad Roos; Michael Nolan; bschwandt@mpsutility.com; bjagusch@cityofmora.com;
dbirgen@mrenergy.com; billy@mrenergy.com; tomh@mrenergy.com; NMPA-Darryl
Tveitbakk; Owatonna -Steve Shurts; Ikoshire@rpu.org; Shakopee-LouVanHout (E-mail);
Steve Downer; Steve Nyhus; crude@citytrf.net; Iheitke@ci.willmar.mn.us
Cc: Susan Coe
Subject: Emailing: American Public Power Association - Events.htm
As promised during the MMUA Government Relations Committee conference call
last Friday, I am providing the following page from the APPA website concerning the
2008 APPA Washington Legislative Rally to be held from February 25-27 at the
Mayflower Hotel. As in past years, it is our intention to meet with the Minnesota
Congressional Delegation on the afternoon of Wednesday, February 27.
Because of the Rally's growing participation, you are advised to register and make
your reservations as soon as possible.
Greg Oxley
Office: 763 746-0709
Cell: 623 963-1869
~~~~
American Public Power Association
Events :Events Calendar
Washington, DC
February 25-27, 2008
The Mayflower Hotel
Contact Jo Ditto (202/467-2954) for general Rally
information.
APPA's Legislative Rally offers every member of the national public power community an
opportunity to work together on federal legislative and regulatory issues that affect the
industry. APPA staff and expert speakers provide briefings on key messages and on how to
influence decision-makers effectively. The Legislative Rally provides attendees with a full
range of tools to effectively advocate priority issues.
~- • ~ -~= Hotel Reservation/ Cancellation Policy
All reservations require anon-refundable room deposit equal to one night's stay ($249 plus
tax) that will be charged to your credit card at the time your reservation is made.
If you cancel or reduce your reservation within seven days of your date of arrival your credit
card will be charged a minimum of two nights' stay (one night in addition to the first night's
deposit).
The cut-off date to receive the APPA group rate of $249 (plus tax) is February 2. If rooms
still remain in the APPA block after that date, the APPA group rate will be honored. If not,
you may be charged a higher rate. Please contact the APPA meeting services department
if you need additional assistance with housing at 202/467-2941.
Hotel Information
The 2008 Legislative Rally will be held at the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel, 1127
Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20036. The APPA room block will open for
reservations on November 1, 2007. To ensure the APPA discounted room rate of $249/night
(single), please call the reservations center at 800-hotels 1 or 202- 347-3000. When making
reservations please request "APPA Legislative Conference." You may also make your
reservations online at: http://marriott com/propert~property~age/WASSH. For online
reservations, please use the group code of "APPAPPA."
2008 Rally Brochure [pdfJ
2008 Rally Registration Form [pdfJ
2008 Rall~Sponsorshop Opportunities
Meeting Highlights
Monday, February
25
8:30 a.m.-12:30 Pre-Rally Seminar: Grassroots Advocacy: Growing Community
p.m. Support for Public Power (details coming soon)
8:30 a.m.-4:30 Pre-Rally Seminar: Energy Efficiency for Policymakers
p.m.
5:30 p.m.-7 p.m. ~ Welcoming Reception
Tuesday, February
26
9 a.m.-Noon Legislative & Resolutions Committee Meeting
Noon-1:30 p.m~~ Legislative & Resolutions Committee Luncheon
Wednesday,
February 27
~ 7:30 a.m.-9 a.m Legislative Rally Breakfast
Access the AYYA legislative main~age
Travel arrangements and costs are the responsibility of the participants.
APPA will not reimburse for changes in travel expenditures regardless of the cause,
including the cancellation of a course, meeting or workshop.
~ Printer Friendly Format ~ ®E-mail this Pape
Powered by: ~~
Woh $ae Msnsgomonl Syslom
WEST PALM BEACH, FLA.
BY BRIAN 5KOLOFF • ASSOCIATED. PRE5S
and water diversions have turned
swamps into cities.
Little land is left to store water
during wet seasons, and so much
An epic drought in Georgia threatens the water supply for millions. Florida doesn't have near- of the landscape has been paved
over that water can no longer pen-
lyenough water for its expected. population boom. The Great Lakes are shrinking. Upstate New etrate the ground in some places to
rechazge aquifers. As a result, the
Yor~C's reservoirs have dropped to record lows. And in the West, the Sierra Nevada snowpack is ..state is forced to flush millions of
` gallons of excess into the ocean to
melting faster each year. Across the United States, the picture. is critically clear -the nation's prevent flooding...
"The need to reduce water
freshwater supplies can no longer quench its thirst. waste and inefficiency is great-
The government projects that
at least 3G states will face water
shortages within five years be-
cause of a combination of rising
temperatures, drought, popula-
tion growth, urban sprawl, waste
and excess.
"Is it a crisis? If we don't do
.some decent water planning, it
could be," said Jack Hoffbuhr, ex-
ecutive director of the Denver-
basedAmerican Water Works As-
sociation.
Water managers will need to
take bold steps to keep taps flow-
ing, including conservation, re-
cycling, desalination .and stricter
controls on development.
"We've hit a remarkable mo-
ment;'said Barry Nelson, a senior
policy analyst with the Natural.
Resources Defense Council. "The
last century was the century of wa-
ter engineering. The next century
is going to have to be the century
of water efficiency."
The cost for ensuring a reliable
water supply could be staggering.
Experts estimate that just upgrad-
ing pipes to handle new supplies
could cost the nation $300 billion
over 30 years.
"Unfortunately, there's just not
going to be any more .cheap wa-
ter," said Randy Brown, Pompano
f er now.than;everk.before;' said
':..,Benjamin Grumbles; assistant ad-
Beach's utilities director. nation's greatest water irony. A ministrator for water at the En-
It's not just a U.S. problem - hundred yeazs ago, the state's big- vironmental Protection Agency.
it's global. Best problem was it had too much "Water eff-iciency is the wave of
Australia is in the midst of a .water. But decades of dikes, dams the future."
30-yeaz dry spell, and population
growth in urban centers ofsub-Sa- THREE STATES USE A QUARTER OF U.S. WATER
hazan Africa is straining resources. Florida California and Texas lead the coon m water usa a The
Asia has 60 percent of the worlds ~ trY ~ g
population, but only about 30 per- government projects that at least 36 states will face water shortages
cent of its freshwater. within five years.
The Intergovernmental Panel Estimated ~~ withdrawals, jri m111i0ri gallOrts per day iri 2000:
on Climate Change, a United Na-
tions network of scientists, said O to 5,000 5,000 to 30,000 10,000 to 20,000 20,000 to 52,000
this yeaz that by 2050 up to 2 bil- ~>~ ~
lion people worldwide could be "~~ ~~ ~t 1~7tely to acperienoe water shortage before 2013•
facing major water shortages.
The United States used more
than 148 trillion gallons of water in `~ ~ `~ Vt.
2000, the latest figures available • ~1+ Q ;~ s ~,, ~,~~~
from the US. Geological Survey. ,<~
That includes residential, coin- ; ~ ~ ~ ~~:
mercial, agriculture, manufactur- yes :a g~ ~~ ~ ~+ ' , ~,
ing and every other use -almost ' ~ ~ Conn.
500,000 gallons per person. `~ ~ ~ ~~ ~~ ~ ~ ^' ~'~ ~ '~ Del
Coastal states such as Florida ~' ~'~ - Y' ` '
_~ ~__..~ ,,bMd.
and California face a water crisis ~ ~_.~
not only from increased demand, ~~~,~ •
but also from rising temperatures "" • '~' ~~
that aze causing glaciers to melt ; D.C. `°
and sea levels to rise. Higher tem- f Alaska
peratures mean more water lost to r -; Hawaii
evaporation. And rising seas could
push saltwater into underground ' `Colorado and South Cazo]ina aze statewide. All other states are regional or local
Sources of freshwater Sources: U.S. Geological Survey; General Accounting Office, Associated Press
Florida represents perhaps the'` ..
,~•'
(l IS IT A CRISIS? IF WE DQN'T DQ SOME DECENT
WATER PLAN~ITT~~T COULD BE. ))
Jack Hoffbuhr, executive director ot#YlE'~enver-based American Water Works Association