CONSENT - Jon Haukaas, Director of Public Works
Title
GRANT PERMANENT WETLAND MANAGEMENT CORRIDOR AND PUBLIC DRAINAGE SYSTEM EASEMENTS ON 12260 LEXINGTON AVENUE TO RICE CREEK WATERSHED DISTRICT
Background
As a part of the Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD) permit that is required to construct Water Treatment Plant 4, RCWD rules require permanent easements be dedicated over the wetland management corridor and buffer area and a public drainage system easement be dedicated over the Judical Ditch 53-62 on the City owned parcel at 12260 Lexington Avenue.
Two easements were created to cover the wetlands and required buffers located on the west half of the parcel and allow RCWD to enter the area to monitor, modify, and maintain hydrological and vegetative conditions. The smaller of the easements encompasses the area that would be needed for a future road right of way with the idea that the easement may be amended or abandoned in the future under a separate RCWD permit to construct a road in this location. The wetland management corridor easements also require a declaration be filed for maintaining the wetland buffers within the easements.
The third easement is for maintenance of the public drainage system and is centered over Judicial Ditch 53-62 at the extreme western side of the parcel.
The easements do not prohibit the City from maintaining and accessing Blaine Municipal Well 19 and its appurtenances on the west side of the parcel.
Recommendation
By motion, authorize the Mayor to sign a permanent wetland management corridor and public drainage system easements and buffer declaration on 12260 Lexington Ave to allow RCWD to enter the area to monitor, modify, and maintain hydrological and vegetative conditions and maintain the public drainage system.