BE IT RESOLVED, that the special levy for the Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission for the year 2019 be set at $1,436,000 to finance the Medicine Lake Road and Winnetka Avenue Long Term Flood Mitigation Plan Implementation: DeCola Ponds B&C Improvement Project and the Westwood Lake Water Quality Improvement Projects within the cities of Golden Valley and St. Louis Park respectively; that the levy be certified to the County Auditor; and that the levy be placed on all taxable property under the jurisdiction of the Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the special levy for the Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commission for the year 2019 be set at $479,900 to support best management practices cost-share programs to implement small water quality projects throughout the watershed, as well as the Becker Park Infiltration Project and the Soluble Reactive Phosphorus Reduction Project in the cities of Crystal and Brooklyn Park; that the levy be certified to the County Auditor; and that the levy be placed on all taxable property under the jurisdiction of the Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commission; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the special levy for the West Mississippi Watershed Management Commission for the year 2019 be set at $53,025 to support a best management practices cost-share program for small water quality improvement projects throughout the watershed; that the levy be certified to the County Auditor; and that the levy be placed on all taxable property under the jurisdiction of the West Mississippi Watershed Management Commission; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the special levy for the Elm Creek Watershed Management Commission for the year 2019 be set at $462,500 to finance the Rush Creek Main Stem Stream Stabilization Phase 3 project in the city of Maple Grove, the Elm Creek Stream Restoration Reach D project in the city of Plymouth, the Elm Creek Stream Restoration Phase III project in the city of Champlin, and the Downs Road Trail Rain Gardens project in the city of Champlin; that the levy be certified to the County Auditor; and that the levy be placed on all taxable property under the jurisdiction of the Elm Creek Watershed Management Commission.

History: Watershed management commissions do not have the ability to levy taxes on their own for water quality improvement projects. Minnesota Statutes, section 103B.251 requires the county to extend a levy on behalf of the commissions as a special taxing district. The county board establishes the maximum levy amount during the summer, which is included in the truth in taxation statements sent to property owners. The commissions hold public hearings on the projects, make final decisions about projects and certify the final amount of the special levy that the county will place on properties under the jurisdiction of the commissions. If requested by the commission, the statute requires counties to levy for projects included in a commission’s approved watershed management plan.

The projects proposed by the watersheds will be paid for by a special levy authorized pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 103B.251 and such levies are exempt from any statutory limitation on taxes. A county levying a tax under Minnesota Statutes, section 103B.251 shall not include that tax in the county’s general levy but shall separately certify that amount to the county auditor. The county auditor shall extend that levy as a special taxing district.

As requested by the Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission, the county board established the maximum levy to cost-share with member cities on two water quality improvement projects at $1,436,000 (Resolution 18-0271). The special levy has been requested at the maximum levy amount.

• The Medicine Lake Road and Winnetka Avenues Long Term Flood Mitigation Plan Implementation: DeCola Ponds B and C Improvement Project (Golden Valley) addresses flooding issues by adding flood storage to reduce flood depth at Medicine Lake Road’s low point, eliminating one structure from flooding risk and improving access to Rosalyn Court during storms. The project also reduces phosphorus pollution and restores 2.7 acres of habitat.
• The Westwood Lake Water Quality Improvement Project (Saint Louis Park) will collect stormwater runoff from the roof of a new interpretive center at Westwood Hills Nature Center.

As requested by the Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commission, the county board established the maximum levy to fund its cost-share program and two water quality projects at $479,900 (Resolution 18-0273). The special levy has been requested at the maximum levy amount.

The cost-share program distributes funds to cities and private entities for projects that provide infiltration and water quality treatment by retrofitting best management practices into already developed areas.

• The Becker Park Infiltration Project (Crystal) adds an underground storage and infiltration system to treat runoff to alleviate localized flooding and reduce pollutants entering Upper Twin Lake.

• The Soluble Reactive Phosphorus Reduction Project (Crystal and Brooklyn Park) will test filters to reduce soluble reactive phosphorus concentrations and then permanently install the best-performing filter at the outlet of two wetlands that currently discharge high concentrations of soluble reactive phosphorus to Upper Twin Lake and Bass Creek.

As requested by the West Mississippi Watershed Management Commission, the county board established the maximum levy to fund one water quality project and the cost-share program at $106,050 (Resolution 18-0273). Since that time, the Mississippi Crossings Phase B Infiltration Vaults Project (Champlin) has been postponed. The commission requested a reduced special levy of $53,025 to support its cost-share program for city projects that provide infiltration and water quality treatment by retrofitting best management practices into already developed publicly-owned areas.

As requested by the Elm Creek Watershed Management Commission, the county board established the maximum levy for four water quality projects at $462,500 (Resolution 18-0272). The special levy has been requested at the maximum levy amount.

• Three projects are stream stabilization projects at three different sites – one along Rush Creek in Maple Grove, and two along the main stem of Elm Creek in Plymouth and Champlin. Streambank stabilization projects reduce pollution from streambank erosion and improve stream habitat.
• The Downs Road Trail Rain Gardens (Champlin) will construct rain gardens and other stormwater treatment practices for areas that contribute runoff directly to Mill Pond and Elm Creek.

Current Request: This request establishes the 2019 special levy for two water quality projects in the Bassett Creek Watershed at $1,436,000; establishes the 2019 special levy for support of the cost-share program and two water quality projects in the Shingle Creek Watershed at $479,900; establishes the 2019 special levy for a cost-share program in the West Mississippi Watershed at $53,025; and establishes the 2019 special levy for four water quality projects in the Elm Creek Watershed at $462,500.

Impact/Outcomes: The special levies will fund projects that improve water quality and stream habitat of Bassett Creek, Rush Creek, and Elm Creek, and downstream resources, including the Mississippi River; improve water quality of Westwood Lake, Upper Twin Lake, Bass Lake, and Mill Pond; improve flood control in the areas of Golden Valley served by the DeCola Ponds; improve fishery habitat of Mill Pond; create pollinator habitat; and support best management practice cost-share projects to improve the quality of water resources in the Shingle Creek and West Mississippi watersheds. Some of these projects also incorporate education components that help raise awareness about the water quality challenges and improvement strategies with the general public, as well as research elements to help improve the efficacy and inform the science of water quality improvement projects into the future.