97-8508r
83
RESOLUTION NO. 8508
RESOLUTION REQUESTING COUNTY ASSISTANCE
IN THE OVERSIGHT OF THE
MINNEHAHA CREEK WATERSHED DISTRICT
WHEREAS, the City of Richfield lies partly within the boundaries of the Minnehaha
Creek Watershed District (MCWD); and
WHEREAS, the City of Richfield has significant concerns that the MCWD has not
demonstrated good governance in the conduct of its statutory responsibilities; and
WHEREAS, such concerns relate to such matters as: a lack of intergovernmental
comity and cooperation; a failure to give timely, responsive, and reasonable consideration to
public and private project applications; an apparent unwillingness to give fair con~ideration to
alternatives for funding MCWD projects; the absence of sound, accurate and thorough
budgeting; a lack of consistency in dealing with municipalities within the District; a failure to
recognize limitations on legal authority of the District and to appreciate and accommodate
local concerns; unreasonable restrictions on minor developments, redevelopments and
public improvements; a failure to utilize professional staff effectively; excessive expenditure
of public funds for administration, per diem, consultants and travel expenses; inflexible
application and unreasonable interpretation of District rules; and the failure to evaluate fully
the cost effectiveness of storm water management and water quality improvements and
structural and nonstructural alternatives to such improvements; and
WHEREAS, the actions of the District have resulted in: an unnecessary duplication of
effort among political subdivisions; unnecessary delays and increased costs of development
and redevelopment projects and public improvements; an extraordinary commitment of public
money and staff resources in dealing with the District; an excessive tax burden on the
citizens of the City; delayed provision of needed public facilities; and a declining confidence
in the governarice of the affairs of the District; and
WHEREAS, a number of the cities within the MCWD also lie within other watershed
districts or participate in joint powers watershed management organizations where they have
not experienced similar problems; and
WHEREAS, the City has no means of exercising control over the affairs of the MCWD
for the benefit of the City and its citizens, and lacks the resources to monitor, oversee, and
negotiate with the District independently.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Richfield.
that:
1. The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners is hereby requested to undertake a
thorough investigation of the activities of the MCWD, to monitor and oversee the ongoing
activities of the District, to facilitate dialog between the District and affected municipalities, to
consider diligently the cost effectiveness of capital projects proposed by the District and
structural and nonstructural alternatives to such projects prior to approval thereof, and to take
such other actions as the County seems appropriate to ensure the accountability of the
District and address concerns described above.
Resolution No. 8508
-2-
2. City staff is directed to explore with other cities in the Watershed District joint an
cooperative efforts to monitor and oversee the activities of the MCWD, in cooperation with
Hennepin County.
Adopted by the City Council of the City of Richfield this 8th day of September, 1997
ATTEST:
~p~
Thomas P: Ferber, City Clerk '-