Public Improvement & Transportation Committee

MINUTES PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT/TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MEETING JANUARY 23, 2025 3:00 PM MEMBERS PRESENT: Craig Schafer, James Lozinski, John Alcorn MEMBERS ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Jason Anderson, Director of Public Works/City Engineer; Eric Hanson, Assistant City Engineer; Sharon Hanson, City Administrator; E.J. Moberg, Director of Administrative Services OTHERS PRESENT: Kerry Netzke-RCRCA; Ron Halgerson-114 Park Ave; Dan Giles-112 Park Ave Call to Order Schafer called the meeting to order at 3:00 pm. 1. Approval of Minutes MOTION MADE BY LOZINSKI to approve the minutes of the October 7, 2024 meeting as presented, SECOND BY ALCORN. ALL VOTED IN FAVOR. THE MOTION PASSED 3:0. Elect Chairperson – MOTION BY LOZINSKI, SECOND BY ALCORN to appoint Craig Schafer as Chair. ALL VOTED IN FAVOR. MOTION PASSED 2:0, SCHAFER ABSTAINED. 2. Request for City Funding on Streambank Restoration Project Background: On December 17, 2024, Kerry Netzke and Ron Halgerson presented to the Lyon County Commissioners to request funding for a “pilot project” for a riverbank stabilization project at 112 Park Avenue in Marshall. Kerry and Ron were presenting as representatives of the Redwood Riverbank Workgroup. The property at 112 Park Avenue is a single- family residential property that is located along the Redwood River and is experiencing erosion and loss of property due to the failure of an existing, in-place slope protection management practice. Essentially, there is an old retaining wall that has failed, and a project must be completed to keep the river from advancing further into the property. A memo from the Commissioner’s was provided to the Committee and also a request from the Redwood Riverbank Workgroup is for funding the $40,800 project from Lyon County would utilize buffer enforcement dollars that Lyon County receives annually from the State of Minnesota. At the meeting, the Lyon County Commission motioned to fund 40% of the project cost, up to $16,320, contingent upon the City of Marshall also funding 40% of the project costs. The proposed cost split is $16,320 from both the City and Lyon County, and an $8,160 cost share from the property owner at 112 Park Avenue. Should the City elect to participate in funding this riverbank stabilization project, funding would likely come from the Surface Water Management Utility (SWMU). Each property within the city limits of Marshall contributes funding to the SWMU in an amount that is proportional to the runoff quantity and water quality impact of each property. Because commercial and industrial land uses are typically more intensely developed, those types of properties contribute more runoff and therefore they contribute more funding into the SWMU. The SWMU is established under the authority of Minnesota Statute 444.075. The Statute allows for the expenditure of funds as needed to build, obtain, repair, reconstruct, improve, or enlarge all facilities. In addition to being a public waterway, the Redwood River may be considered part of the city’s drainage facilities because it plays a key role in surface water drainage for the City of Marshall. Additionally, one of the missions of the SWMU is to protect PI/T – 01/23/2025 -1- environmental diversity, and preventing sediments from being washed into the river would help to protect the Redwood River and its environmental diversity. If the Council moves to fund river slope repair projects, city staff believe it would be prudent to create a program that is approved by the City Council. The program could have a specific annual budget that is allocated annually, and project submittals could be reviewed for consideration of funding. It is worth noting that all projects are required to receive a MnDNR permit for working along a public water. If this is the desire, city staff could bring forward a proposed program for future consideration. Anderson presented the item. Discussions have been held with Ron and Kerry. Currently the City does not have a program. It has been suggested that the Surface Water Management Utility (SWM) is a potential funding source. In review the State Statute and City authority of this fund, it would not be illegal to participate with these funds per Statute 444.075 with confirmation from City Attorney. Anderson reviewed current uses of SWM funding. Justification for this use of this fund would be an acknowledgment that city uses river for city drainage, it is a part of the drainage system and as such, the public purpose for spending the money would be to maintain and operate the Redwood River as a drainageway. Currently have not spent funds for riverbank stabilization on private properties but only public properties/infrastructure. Potential review and consideration to create a program to legally fund these projects whereby creating a framework, annual City contribution amounts, scoring and rating. While this is being presented as a “pilot project”, the City has received numerous requests for these projects as there are many properties along the river within the city. Halgerson presented general information map “Redwood River Assessment/Inventory” map. Staff of DNR and Lyon County SWRCD floated the 3.5 mile stretch between the Fairgrounds and the City Street Department where the group identified areas of concern in the river. Ron stated wherever there is a change in flow it is evident of greater potential of erosion. The intent is to establish a “pilot project” whereby providing educational awareness and profile this as a starting point. Whole composition of how we deal with water management has changed immensely as water makes its way to Redwood River with 350 sq miles of upstream watershed and six streams that feed the Redwood River along with predominantly tiling. Kerry Netzke-RCRA presented powerpoint including history of Redwood River, establishment of Redwood River work group, project onset and shared assistance, impacts of Diversion Channel, able to determine as it is known what the high levels and low levels are going to be and can decide projects accordingly. Redwood River Workgroup established in Fall 2023. Workgroup discussions have evolved around the increased deterioration of the riverbank through the city, there's a lot of 1930 eras WPA projects through the town, riprap deterioration over 100 years, loss of fish passage, enforcing the ordinances on grass clippings, possible grant funding, DNR existing funds, 1W1P comprehensive watershed management plan. Netzke outlined the locations on the river of concern from the June 2024 observations from group kayak tour of the river and presented multiple of photographs of the highlight areas. Kerry summarized previous discussions with USACOE and that discussions remain ongoing. DNR has prepared some conceptual drawings. Schafer inquired on the permitting process with DNR, group plan permittable projects and waive request. Kerry provided summary of meeting with Lyon County Commissioners on December 17, 2024. Kerry indicated 1W1P funding will not be available until 2026 through State-funded Watershed Based Implementation Funding. Kerry uncertain of funding Redwood River watershed would be receiving, but the Cottonwood watershed will be receiving $1.9M/2 years. Buffer enforcement and compliance and ditch assessments was discussed. Skunk Hollow Road history discussed. Lozinski inquired on determination of a pilot project. Lozinski inquired to Moberg regarding County funding Moberg indicated County gets $130,000 annually. Lozinski restated this project was not budgeted in 2025, and Moberg provided information on stormwater bonding. Anderson commented on similar potential programs not yet implemented by the City, including rain barrel programs/rebates, rain garden program and matching grants. This stabilization project is not keeping water out of the system, but it is maintaining the conveyance, and would need to determine budget allocation and its effect on surface water rates. Halgerson stated that if we accept that Redwood River is part of drainage system, then we should be investing in such a project. Schafer summarized potential presentation to the City Council. Sharon Hanson inquired to Kerry about potential eligibility of LCCMR (Legislative- Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources) funding. Kerry indicated on the comprehensive watershed management PI/T – 01/23/2025 -2- plan being developed through 1W1P is based on prioritizing where impairments are coming from, targeting action areas and measurable goals. Kerry gave a summary between Area II and RCRCA. Anderson proposed a program that annually budgeted an amount that is built into the SWM budget with a set of rules, criteria and policy, which is made public with projects come forward as presented, reviewed by a board/committee and funded as monies are available and when monies are depleted, come back in following year. Kerry closed with commenting that this is educational providing information on the condition of the Redwood River, and the river should not be treated like a storm sewer, but rather as the water resource which it is. MOTION MADE BY LOZINSKI, SECOND BY ALCORN for City staff to look into creating a program for dealing with projects on stabilizing the streambank on the Redwood River within the City of Marshall. ALL VOTED IN FAVOR. THE MOTION PASSED 3:0. Other Business Project ST-002-2025: Bituminous Overlay Project – Anderson provided a map and listing of streets proposed for the project. After discussion, MOTION BY LOZINSKI, SECOND BY ALCORN to recommend authorization to advertise for ST-002-2025: Bituminous Overlay Project to the City Council. ALL VOTED IN FAVOR. MOTION PASSED 3:0. Adjourn Being no further business, MOTION BY LOZINSKI, SECOND BY ALCORN to adjourn. ALL VOTED IN FAVOR. MOTION PASSED 3:0. Meeting adjourned at 4:39 pm. Respectfully submitted, Lona Rae Konold, Administrative Assistant PI/T – 01/23/2025 -3-