WORKSHOP ITEM - Rebecca Haug, Water Resources Manager
Title
JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT WITH COON CREEK WATERSHED DISTRICT FOR PLEASURE CREEK IRON ENHANCED SAND FILTER
Background
The city has an Iron Enhanced Sand Filter (IESF) in the Centennial Greens Park which was constructed through a partnership with the Anoka Conservation District and Rice Creek Watershed District. The IESF treats dissolved phosphorus which is the chemical that supports rapid algal growth and reproduction. With the installation of the IESF in the Centennial Greens Park, monitoring has been completed by the partners and has proven to be effective at removing phosphorus.
The IESF is being maintained by the city by raking it on a regular basis during the summer months. As long as the system is maintained, it is projected to last up to 30 years before needing reconstruction.
The city has an opportunity to partner with the Coon Creek Watershed District (CCWD) to construct another IESF in the Pleasure Creek neighborhood near the intersection of Clover Leaf Parkway and East Pleasure Creek Parkway. This project would take the design a step further by adding a substance called bio-char to the mix. Bio-char functions to remove E. coli, which is the bacteria found in animal waste. E. coli contamination is a problem in the Pleasure Creek watershed. The funding for the project will be through a combination of grant funds from the Clean Water Fund Watershed Based funding, CCWD and the city.
In 2017, the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR), in partnership with the Local Government Round Table, began working with local governments across the state to develop a watershed-based funding pilot program.
In this pilot phase, funding was distributed to watershed areas that have completed watershed management plans under the One Watershed, One Plan Program, the Metropolitan Surface Water Management Act or the Metropolitan Groundwater Management Act to implement activities identified in these plans.
In the metro area, the funding was distributed to each county and the county worked with its stakeholders to determine how to disperse the funding. Anoka County chose to have portion of the funding be allocated to hiring a county-wide Public Outreach and Engagement Coordinator and then divide the remaining funds between the eligible watershed districts and water management organizations. The watershed districts and water management organizations were then allowed to determine how to spend their portion of the funding.
CCWD asked its communities for shovel ready projects that have been identified in their Local Surface Water Management Plans that will meet water quality treatment requirements. The City of Blaine has identified in their Local Surface Water Management Plan and budgeted for an Iron Enhanced Sand Filter (IESF) in the Pleasure Creek Subwatershed Area to treat phosphorus. Staff presented the project to the CCWD staff as a project that would be eligible for the funding.
CCWD has agreed to utilize a portion of the money they received from the Watershed Based Funding to complete the project. A Joint Powers Agreement will be prepared. The agreement will outline that CCWD will be responsible for the engineering and design services and will prepare the plans and specifications for the Project in consultation with the city. CCWD will also do the calling for all bids and the accepting of all bid proposals.
The total estimated cost for completing the project is $480,365.50. The Clean Water Fund Watershed Based Funding grant will provide $95,986.50 and the CCWD will contribute up to $184,379 for engineering and construction costs. The city share would be $200,000 which is in the 2019 storm water storm water for construction costs. The city will be responsible for the on-going maintenance of the IESF.
Recommendation
Direct Staff to prepare/review a Joint Powers Agreement with the Coon Creek Watershed District to construct an Iron Enhanced Sand Filter in the Pleasure Creek Subwatershed Area and bring it to the City Council for approval.