Item Description:
title
Approve minor plan amendment to the Shingle Creek Watershed Mgmt Plan; set Shingle Creek Watershed Mgmt Commission 2027 max levy at $159,075 for projects to improve water quality
end
Resolution:
body
BE IT RESOLVED, that the plan amendment submitted by the Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commission, including a revised capital improvement program, be approved; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the 2027 maximum levy for the Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commission be set at $159,075; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the levy be certified to the county auditor and placed on all taxable property under the jurisdiction of the Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commission.
end
Background:
The Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commission has proposed a minor plan amendment to its Watershed Management Plan. The minor plan amendment adds one water quality project to the commission’s Capital Improvement Plan.
Staff reviewed the commission’s proposed minor plan amendment and found it to be consistent with Minnesota Statutes section 103B.251, with the Surface Water Management section of the Hennepin County 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update, and the Hennepin County Natural Resources Strategic Plan. As a result, staff recommend approval of the proposed minor plan amendment. Additional information about the minor plan amendment is provided in a supplemental staff recommendation report (Attachment 1).
The Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commission has proposed a maximum 2027 special projects levy of $159,075 to fund the commission’s portion of the project costs to complete two water quality projects that are a priority in the commission’s capital improvement plan. The projects will achieve the commission’s goals to improve water quality and habitat value of Shingle Creek and other lakes and creeks within the watershed.
The projects to be implemented in part by the levy funds are:
• The Maintenance Fund - This project will fund activities that are necessary to ensure the success of past capital projects, such as ongoing long-term efforts to manage carp or curly-leaf pondweed, maintenance of fish barriers, or water quality treatment practices that were installed as research projects. These activities will occur at various locations throughout the Shingle Creek watershed. The commission requests a 2027 levy of $53,025 for its maintenance fund.
• Maple Grove Street Sweeper - This project will assist the City of Maple Grove in funding the purchase of a street sweeper to enhance a systematic municipal street sweeping program and reduce pollutant loading to Eagle Lake, Pike Lake, Bass Creek, and Shingle Creek. Street sweeping is one of the most cost-effective best management practices for improving water quality. The total cost of the project is $400,000 and the commission requests a levy of $106,050. The remainder of costs will be shared by the City of Maple Grove, The Elm Creek Watershed Management Commission, and the West Mississippi Watershed Management Commission.
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 commission must certify its final levies to the county auditor prior to October 1, 2026.
Current Request: This request is to approve the Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commission minor plan amendment and set the Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commission 2027 maximum levy at $159,075 for projects that will improve water quality.
This request also establishes that the levy be certified to the county auditor and placed on all taxable property under the jurisdiction of the commission.
Impact/Outcomes: This request protects water resources and improves the environment for people and wildlife. These projects also support the county’s disparity elimination work and climate action goals. Projects in this request will improve water quality throughout the watershed by reducing pollutants from entering Eagle Lake, Pike Lake, Bass Creek, Shingle Creek and downstream water resources like the Mississippi River, including areas identified by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency as areas of environmental justice concern.
This request also contributes to a maintenance fund that covers routine activities necessary to ensure the continuing efficacy of past projects and investments by the Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commission.
Approval of this request fulfills the county’s responsibility to review watershed plan amendments and levy requests per Minnesota Statutes, section 103B, and allows certification of the maximum levy to the county auditor for inclusion in Truth in Taxation statement.
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval