ADMINISTRATION - Rebecca Haug, Water Resources Manager
Title
AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR AND CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE EDA TO ALLOCATE 14 ACRES OF WETLAND BANK CREDITS FROM THE BLAINE WETLAND SANCTUARY
Background
As discussed at the December 21, 2017 City Council Workshop, the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) acting as the agent for the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has requested to purchase 14 acres of wetland credits from the EDA’s Wetland Bank for mitigation of various state roadway projects in our region.
The EDA is considering the purchase at a price of $54,450 per credit (totaling $762,300), plus applicable fees at their January 18th EDA meeting. The money from the sale would be transferred from the EDA to the City to offset maintenance and future improvement costs in the Blaine Wetland Sanctuary.
The City Council must agree to allocate 14 acres of like-value wetland credits from the City’s Site 7 Wetland Bank for future use by the EDA, at no financial cost to the EDA once the credits are available. The attached resolution affirms that agreement.
Recommendation
By motion, approve the Resolution.
Body
WHEREAS, the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) acting as the agent for the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has requested to purchase 14 acres of wetland credits from the EDA’s Wetland Bank for mitigation of various state roadway projects in the Blaine region; and
WHEREAS, the terms of the purchase would be at a price of $54,450 per credit (totaling $762,300), plus applicable fees; and
WHEREAS, the money from the sale would be transferred from the Blaine EDA to the City and used by the City to offset maintenance and future improvement costs in the Blaine Wetland Sanctuary; and
WHEREAS, the Blaine City Council has agreed to allocate and reserve 14 acres of like-value wetland credits from the City’s Site 7 Wetland Bank for future use by the EDA, at no cost to the EDA once the Site 7 credits are available;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Blaine that the Mayor and City Manager are authorized to execute any and all documents necessary between the City and the Blaine EDA to allocate and reserve 14 acres of wetland bank credits from the City’s Site 7 Wetland Bank for use by the Blaine EDA at no financial cost to the Blaine EDA once the Site 7 credits are available.
PASSED by the City Council of the City of Blaine this 18th day of January, 2018.