Item Description:
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Negotiate Agmt PW 15-38-26 with Minnehaha Creek Watershed District for programmatic maintenance responsibilities, no county cost
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that the County Administrator be authorized to negotiate Agreement PW 15-38-26 with the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District for programmatic maintenance responsibilities of stormwater infrastructure constructed to meet permit requirements of the Watershed District, at no cost to the county; and that upon review and approval by the County Attorney’s Office, the Chair of the Board be authorized to sign the agreement on behalf of the county.
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Background:
Minnehaha Creek Watershed District has permitting authority over construction activities within its jurisdictional boundary to safeguard local water resources. Hennepin County is required to obtain permits for individual projects, and a key component of each permit is a maintenance agreement. To streamline County workflows, a programmatic maintenance agreement - covering all new projects going forward and incorporating prior projects - will eliminate the need to execute separate maintenance agreements for each individual project. This approach will also create consistency in inspection, maintenance, and reporting requirements, helping to establish stronger operational practices.
A previous programmatic maintenance agreement has been in place with the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District since 2008; however, it does not address many stormwater best management practices routinely implemented today, and watershed rules have changed significantly since then. This new programmatic agreement will replace the prior agreement.
Current Request: This request seeks authorization to negotiate Agreement PW 15-38-26 with Minnehaha Creek Watershed District for programmatic maintenance responsibilities, at no cost to the county. The agreement will be in effect for seven (7) years from full execution and will automatically renew for additional seven-year terms unless terminated.
Impact/Outcomes: Approval of Agreement PW 15-38-26 will ensure that future projects support the County’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan, Climate Action Plan, and Complete and Green Streets Policy, by continuing to safeguard local water resources within the Minnehaha Creek Watershed and creating consistency with current best management practices for inspection, maintenance, and reporting requirements. It will also eliminate the need to execute individual, project-specific, maintenance agreements going forward.
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Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval