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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-01-23 PACKET MISC.V METROPOLITAN C O U N C I L E I n Working as partners keeps the region strong Chair Duininck reflects on the Council's achievements in 2016. Council appoints new SAC Task Force Outdoor seating is one of four issues the group is discussing. Carver is poised for more growth The growing community is engaging residents in its planning. Z__ *******1*****((**AUT``O**SCH 3 -DIGIT 550 pi LCi1V 1V L+V1V11Vil� Q i ll�VV V 11111\ CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE 12800 RAVINE PKWY COTTAGE GROVE NIN 55016-3195 S86 P1 UNDERSTANDING THE SEWER AVAILABILITY CHARGE (SAC) t rW, SAC: Pay to connect The Metropolitan Council charges SAC to local governments. We charge SAC the first time a property—like a home, business or school—connects to the regional wastewater (sewer) system. When a business grows or changes the use of its space, it may have to pay additional SAC. SAC pays for reserve capacity Wastewater pipes and treatment plants are expensive to build. We borrow money to build them large enough to serve both current and future customers. The space required for future customers is called reserve capacity. SAC pays the debt for that extra capacity. SAC is charged in units One SAC unit is based on the maximum potential flow of a single-family home, about 274 gallons per day. The number of SAC units charged for a nonresidential property is based on the maximum potential waste- water flow created by the activities at the location. [One unit = $2,485] SAC is a critical revenue source 2017 MCES Wastewater Revenue = $270.9 million 5% 2% Municipal Wastewater Charges $211.9 million SAC Fund Transfer $39.4 million Industrial Charges $13.8 million Other $5.8 million I Visit www.metrocouncil.org/SACprogram to see our updated website, new SAC Estimation Tool and SAC flyer. ■ Southwest LRT approved for engineering. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) on Dec. 21 underscored its continued confidence in the Southwest LRT Project, by approving the project's entry into engineering. This milestone means the federal government has authorized project staff to finalize designs in preparation for the start of construction in 2017. The FTA cleared the project's environmental review earlier in 2016. Planners invited to TOD workshop. The Council will host a workshop on "Transit Oriented Development in Your Comp Plan." The event will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 26 at Bloomington Civic Plaza. The workshop will focus on regional policy, resources and best practices for incorporating station area planning work into comprehensive plan updates. Visit www.metrocouncil.org to register. Revamped water quality website. The Council has launched a new version of its Environmental Information Management System (EIMS) website. The EIMS is a portal to view and download water quality data on lakes, rivers, streams and rain gauges for the region. Researchers can search and pull data from multiple sites using multiple parameters. Visit https:Heims.metc. state.mn.us to explore the site. SouthWest Transit celebrates 30th anniversary. In December, southwest Transit celebrated 30 years of service to the communities of Chaska, Chanhassan and Eden Prairie. The agency transports 1.3 million riders annually and has received numerous awards. Visit https:Hswtransit.org/ about/news to learn more. Metropolitan Council Chair: Adam Duininck. Members: Katie Rodriguez (District 1); Lona Schreiber (2); Jennifer Munt (3); Deb Barber (4); Steve Elkins (5); Gail Dorfman (6); Gary L. Cunningham (7); Cara Letofsky (8); Edward Reynoso (9); Marie McCarthy (10); Sandy Rummel (11); Harry Melander (12); Richard Kramer (13); Jon Commers (14); Steven T. Chavez (15); Wendy Wulff (16). Regional Administrator: Wes Kooistra Editor: Jeanne Landkamer General Offices: 651-602-1000 1 (651-291-0904 TTY) 390 N. Robert St. I St. Paul, MN 55101 e-mail: public.info®metc.state.mn.us Web site: metrocouncil.org This publication is available in alternative formats upon request. Printed on paper containing 100 percent post -consumer and alternative fibers. �•y' Jt PRDITED WITH nor , SOYINK Sewer repair presents physical challenges Let's say you have to repair a large concrete sewer pipe that runs under railroad tracks, beneath two large high-pressure gas lines, with high-voltage transmission wires towering overhead—all at the same work site. That's just one example of the challenges faced by Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (MCES) as it carries out its systematic, multi-year program to rehabilitate the aging pipes in the 640 -mile interceptor sewer network. Serving 90% of the region's seven -county population, the interceptors collect the wastewater from local city sewers and convey it to one of the Council's eight treatment plants. As part of the rehabilitation program, MCES is repairing or replacing related facilities and structures. In the region's northern suburbs, MCES is working on three sections of interceptor in the area where the borders of Anoka, Ramsey, and Hennepin counties come together. At a total cost of about $45 million, the work is part of the larger North Suburban Rehabilitation Project. The physical challenges of the work can be daunting. The heavy equipment and material used for the work require large staging areas near the construction sites, as well as routes providing access to both. At the same time, MCES works hard to minimize disruption to nearby property owners and transportation corridors, as well as utilities serving the area. Apart from the physical challenges, MCES has faced the major task of coordinating its work with six cities, three counties, three watershed districts, a railroad company, a utility, plus businesses and individual property owners. Frequent, ongoing communication is essential to inform and coordinate with all affected parties. For each project, individual webpages are available on the Council's website, and construction updates are emailed to subscribers. In addition, MCES mailed out information flyers and distributed them door to door. MCES also held meetings during the design phase and during construction where representatives of affected companies, cities, organizations, as well as individuals could hear in person about the progress of each work project. And a 24/7 phone line was available to provide information, with a commitment to respond within 24 hours. Working together keeps our region strong As we prepare for the year ahead, it's an appropriate time to reflect on how the Council supported the economic prosperity of the Twin Cities region in 2016. The work of our Environmental Services division is largely invisible to the public, but critical to public health and the environment. We treat 250 million gallons of Adam Duininck wastewater daily and meet FROM THE CHAIR clean -water discharge permits 24/7, 365 days a year. We continue to reduce our fossil -fuel energy consumption and advance solar energy in the region. We support local efforts to conserve water and reuse stormwater. In 2016 the National Association of Clean Water Agencies recognized our integrated, "One Water" approach by designating the division a "Water Utility of the Future Now." Metro Transit had an outstanding year. The new A Line Rapid Bus Service in Saint Paul has been so successful that overall ridership for all modes of transit in the Snelling Avenue corridor is up by 35% from the previous year. We worked diligently to keep the Southwest LRT project on track, and expect final approval by the Federal Transit Administration in summer 2017. We couldn't be prouder that the American Public Transit Association named Metro Transit the System of the Year in 2016. Community Development took their planning game to a whole new level. Our new online Local Planning Handbook and our Planit webinars, workshops and conferences connect communities with the planning resources they need. t1. A common thread of these achievements and others—like our mobility counseling for people in need of affordable housing, or our Parks staff helping make the regional park system more accessible, is partnerships with the stakeholders and communities we serve. Our commitment to engagement is what will keep the Metropolitan Council on the forefront of innovation as we look at 2017 and beyond. Council to implement 1/1 recommendations Communities served by the regional wastewater collection and treatment system can expect additional help in the next few years to reduce inflow and infiltration (1/1) from private property sources. The Metropolitan Council recently accepted the report from a 19 -member community task force charged with reviewing the Council's ongoing 1/1 mitigation program. The Council authorized staff to implement the report's recommendations, which fall into three categories: • Technical assistance, including development of a model ordinance for private property inspections • Public outreach, to educate the public about 1/1 and why property owners need to act • Financial assistance, to help property owners with the costs of reducing 1/1 SAC Task Force eyes outdoor seating, other issues A new task force is meeting to discuss and make recommendations on issues related to the sewer availability charge (SAC). The Council appointed the 17 -member task force, and named Council Member Wendy Wulff to chair it. The group includes 13 city representatives and 2 business representatives. The Council regularly convenes a customer group to examine and evaluate SAC issues. The new task force is looking at: • SAC charges for outdoor seating at restaurants. • Options for manufactured home SAC affordability issues. • Options to simplify the SAC application process for business owners. • Options to simplify SAC credit issues for communities. The task force will report on outdoor seating by Jan. 31 and other recommendations in February. SAC is a one-time fee the Council charges to local governments. SAC is charged when a property first connects to the regional wastewater system, or when a business or institution grows or changes and creates more potential demand on the wastewater system. SAC is a critical revenue source for MCES. SAC collects about $40 million annually, and pays 35% to 40% of the debt service for wastewater infrastructure. SAC allows the Council to build infrastructure large enough to handle wastewater from both current and future users, and then collect as demand for additional capacity occurs. Carver engages residents to guide planning Carver is a city of contrasts. It has a quiet, historic downtown on the west bank of the Minnesota River. Up on the bluffs, Carver's new housing, a new SouthWest Transit station, and an elementary school under construction signal growth. An orderly annexation agreement in place with neighboring Dahlgren Township ensures the city has space to expand. The Metropolitan Council forecasts Carver's population to grow from 4,330 in 2015 to 15,500 by 2040. "We're at a point where we can grow, we've got the infrastructure in place, and we're going to grow - we're ready," said Mayor Mike Webb. Carver laid the foundation for updating its comprehensive plan by creating two focus groups of residents. They developed a vision for Carver's future, discussed issues facing the City, and created guiding principles. The principles will be used to support public engagement and land use planning through the City's comp plan update. Participants said they would like Carver to keep a small town and neighborly feel, while allowing for balanced development, job creation and an active historical downtown. They want commercial, industrial and affordable residential development, while not losing focus on attracting youth, enhancing community spirit, and managing natural and recreation resources. The City Council has already adopted a recommendation to appoint eight resident advocates, each for a designated geographic area. The City will host a quarterly meeting with the group. Carver enjoys successful partnerships with neighboring communities. For example, an agreement allows Carver residents to enjoy Chaska's "phenomenal recreation program and facilities," said City Administrator Brent Mareck, "and help Chaska offset some of their costs." Quarterly breakfast meetings between the mayors of Carver, Chanhassen, Chaska, and Victoria keep the relationships strong, as do regular meetings of those cities' managers/ administrators. As for Carver's relationship with the Met Council, Webb gives Council Chair Adam Duininck credit for getting out into the communities and being accessible, and making his staff very accessible. "It may not win me any votes to say it, but I think we have a great relationship." Visit metrocouncil.org to read a longer version of this and other stories in this edition of Metro Update. Council grants spur economic development In December, the Council approved more than $10 million Overall, the task force recommended that the Council in Livable Communities grants for affordable housing and "continue the regional planning policy of balancing mixed-use development that connects people with jobs, regional standards with the needs of local communities transit, and other services and destinations. to tailor programs to their individual circumstances." Grants from the Livable Communities Demonstration Account and Local Housing Incentives Account will help fund, for example, affordable artists' lofts in Hastings, redevelopment of Catholic Charities in Saint Paul, the first new affordable units built in Bloomington since 2008, and affordable senior housing in Woodbury. The projects, combined, are expected to: • Add 730 affordable and 1,042 market -rate homes. • Create 92 permanent and 1,855 part-time jobs. • Increase the net tax capacity by $1.7 million. • Leverage nearly $400 million in private and other public investment. "These grants are an essential tool that help leverage many millions more in other investments from the public and private sector," said Council Chair Adam Duininck. "They help to close the gap between what it costs to build housing and what lower-income residents and families can afford. It's a win-win for communities, employers, and for people who need affordable housing choices."