BE IT RESOLVED, that the plan amendment submitted by the Shingle Creek and West Mississippi Watershed Management Commissions, which includes a revised capital improvement program, be approved; that the 2020 maximum levy for the Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commission be set at $551,990; that the 2020 maximum levy for the West Mississippi Watershed Management Commission be set at $53,025; and that levies for both commissions be certified to the county auditor and be placed on all taxable property under the jurisdictions of the Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commission or the West Mississippi Watershed Management Commission.

History: The Shingle Creek and West Mississippi Watershed Management Commissions have proposed a minor plan amendment to their Watershed Management Plan. The minor plan amendment revises the commissions’ cost share policy and modifies an existing generic project in the commissions’ Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) to specify that an improvement plan will be implemented for Crystal Lake.

Staff reviewed commissions’ proposed minor plan amendment and found it to be consistent with the Surface Water Management section of the draft Hennepin County 2040 Comprehensive Plan and the Hennepin County Natural Resources Strategic Plan. As a result, staff recommends approval of the proposed minor plan amendment to the Watershed Management Plan. Additional information about the minor plan amendment is provided in the attached report.

In addition to the proposed minor plan amendment, the Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commission requests a levy of $551,990 to fund its portion of project costs to complete three water quality projects that are priorities in the CIP. The projects will achieve the commission’s goals to improve water quality throughout the Shingle Creek Watershed and downstream resources including the Mississippi River.

Projects to be implemented in part by the levy funds are:

1. The City Cost Share Best Management Practices Project provides cost-share funds for projects that integrate best management practices into already developed publicly owned areas to provide additional infiltration and water quality treatment. The Watershed Management Plan established a process to identify small water quality best management practices and established a capital levy each year to share in the cost of identified projects. The commission requests a 2020 levy of $106,050 for this project.

2. The Crystal Lake Management Plan (Robbinsdale) will take steps toward meeting water quality standards for phosphorus by treating the lake to seal phosphorus into the lake-bottom sediments, removing carp, and restoring native aquatic vegetation. This project, along with completed efforts by the commission, city, and county will achieve 92 percent of the phosphorus reduction target for this lake. Crystal Lake is popular among anglers and several city parks abut the lake as well as a regional bike trail. The commission requests a 2020 levy of $392,915 for this project.

3. The Partnership (private) Cost-Share Best Management Practices Project provides cost-share funds for projects that integrate best management practices into already developed privately owned areas to provide additional infiltration and water quality treatment. The Watershed Management Plan established a process to identify small water quality best management practices and established a capital levy each year to share in the cost of identified projects. The commission requests a 2020 levy of $53,025 for this project.

The West Mississippi Watershed Management Commission requests a levy of $53,025 to fund the commission’s portion of the costs associated with the City Cost Share Best Management Practices Project, which is identified as a priority in the CIP. This project provides cost-share funds for projects that integrate best management practices into already developed publicly owned areas to provide additional infiltration and water quality treatment. The Watershed Management Plan established a process to identify small water quality best management practices and established a capital levy each year to share in the cost of identified projects. The work funded through this project will achieve the commission’s goals to improve water quality throughout the West Mississippi Watershed and downstream resources including the Mississippi River. The commission requests a 2020 levy of $53,025 for this project.

Levies authorized pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 103B.251 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. The commissions must certify their final levies to the county auditor prior to October 1, 2019.

Current Request: This request is to approve an amendment to the Shingle Creek and West Mississippi Watersheds Management Plan and set the Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commission 2020 maximum levy at $551,990 and the West Mississippi Watershed Management Commission 2020 maximum levy at $53,025 for projects that will improve water quality. The amendment revises an existing project to specify that an improvement plan will be implemented for Crystal Lake. The amendment also revises the commissions’ cost-share policy.

Impact/Outcomes: Approval of this request will allow certification of the maximum levy to the county auditor for inclusion in Truth in Taxation statement. Projects in this request will improve water quality and recreational experiences in and around Crystal Lake, as well as reduce pollutants from throughout the watershed by making cost-share funds available to private landowners and cities.