City Council

Woodbury Special City Council Meeting Minutes Wednesday, February 19, 2020 Pursuant to the due call and notice thereof, a special meeting was duly held at the Woodbury Public Works Facility, 2301 Tower Drive, on the 19th day of February 2020. Call to Order Mayor Anne Burt called the special meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and noted the special meeting notice required by Minnesota Statute 13D.04 will be included in the official minutes of this meeting. Pledge of the Flag Audience, staff, and Council pledged allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. Roll Call Upon roll call the following were present: Mayor Anne Burt, Councilmembers: Andrea Date, Amy Scoggins, Steve Morris, and Jennifer Santini. Others Present: Christopher Hartzell, Engineering Director; Clinton Gridley, City Administrator; Jim Westerman, Utility Manager; Jason Hostetter, Utility Coordinator; Janelle Schmitz, Assistant Community Development Director; Jason Egerstrom, Communications Manager; Angela Gorall, Assistant City Administrator; Mary Hurliman, Public Works Director. Mayor Burt welcomed those attending the special meeting. She referred to the brochures that are located on the chairs entitled "Welcome to the Woodbury City Council Meeting" and noted there are Public Input Sign-Up Sheets, and invited audience members to sign them and give them to a staff member if they wished to comment during the meeting. Open Forum Mayor Burt acknowledged receipt of one green sheet submitted by Donald Adams, 7881 Wood Park Boulevard. She stated that Mr. Adams wishes to speak during the Discussion portion of this special meeting. Discussion A. Temporary Water Treatment Facility, Request for Land Disturbance Jim Westerman, Utility Manager provided a review of the agenda item and completed a presentation on the temporary water treatment facility proposal and the need for a land disturbance permit. Mr. Westerman reviewed the status on the facility’s design, the proposed location, the implementation and operation timeline, wells being impacted by PFAS, and an overview of the Tamarack Nature Preserve site and impacts to the site. Tree impacts in particular were reviewed, noting that forty (40) trees will be removed with the project. A mitigation and replanting plan was reviewed. Mr. Westerman reviewed the public process to date. Mayor Burt called for public comment. Mr. Donald Adams, 7881 Woodpark Boulevard, stated has been a resident for 27 years and he was unable to attend a previous public meeting. He met with Eric Searles, City Planner, and reviewed the project details. He noted a total of 81 homes are in the Parkwood Knoll area and a map of the subdivision was provided to the Mayor, providing an overview of the area, and was shared with other Councilmembers. Mr. Adams noted there is only one way in and out of the neighborhood and this site is very visible and he was told there will be planting to hide the facility, but it is quite tall and that it cannot be hidden due to the location in the park. Mr. Adams questioned why it needs to be built right in the middle of the park stating that the wetland has not been wet, as shown in the map, in 25 years and it seems that this land could be available for the facility. He noted that none of us are opposed to having water treatment in the area, he just wants to see it moved into more of the wetland area, which will also make it lower and less visible. He noted concern with a stormwater pond next to the park and this may be a hazard to kids at the park. He questioned if a wetland credit could be purchased. He noted that the boardwalk area will be upgraded this summer in the park and that parking for the site is very important as it is heavily used. He is concerned it is a commercial building in a neighborhood and in a park and will be very visible particularly in winter. Mayor Burt asked about the wetland and restrictions present. Mr. Westerman noted that a wetland delineation was completed and submitted to the watershed district and that a final delineation will be completed this spring. Everything to date has identified the area as a wetland and is thus not available for construction, in particular also due to time constraints. Moving the building south was not identified as an option and would impact trees further as well.  Woodbury Special City Council Meeting Minutes Wednesday, February 19, 2020 Mayor Burt noted that it was surprising how this site was identified in 1985 as a possible location for a treatment facility and that the site was also in other City comprehensive plans. City Administrator Gridley reviewed the request before the Council tonight was just for the land disturbance permit. Councilmember Date asked for further review of the facility design/height and commercial look. Mr. Westerman reviewed further details on the type of building and how the funding is also affecting design, construction materials and timelines. Councilmember Scoggins questioned what other sites were considered. Mr. Westerman reviewed that the facility could be built in many locations, but would then require piping infrastructure to the facility. Several other options were reviewed and determined as not viable for this use. Councilmember Scoggins questioned if the pine trees in the area will be removed and Westerman reviewed a map of trees planned for removal and which on the site will remain. Mr. Westerman further reviewed the site plan for the facility reviewing how vehicle traffic will flow and proposed parking. Councilmember Santini commented on encouraging coordination with the Friends of the Tamarack Preserve on tree replanting and Westerman noted that this has occurred and will continue. Councilmember Santini also questioned the potential liability of having the facility near a playground. Mr. Westerman noted that this has been reviewed and planning has been consistent with other practices for any other well site. Councilmember Morris requested architectural drawings and street level views of the facility for a future meeting to evaluate views of the building. Mr. Westerman noted that renderings are available and will be provided. City Administrator Gridley noted the water treatment is “temporary”, but this may not mean the building is removed in the future noting this will be further discussed in the future. Mayor Burt clarified what funding is from settlement dollars and the restrictions that come with use of the funding. Councilmember Morris asked if the facility could be moved further to the south and Mr. Westerman noted that a driving factor not to do this was the tree cover in the area and piping that would then also be necessary. Councilmember Morris further questioned if this still could be considered as an option to better hide the view of the facility. Councilmember Scoggins was supportive of the location and of the action before the Council at this time. Mayor Burt highlighted the significant issues and time constrains involved with a wetland constraining the project. Councilmember Date was provided clarification that the trail will be replaced as part of the project. Councilmember Date noted she thought that the building would be temporary. City Administrator Gridley reviewed the funding source and that it is for temporary water treatment and when done being needed, due to permanent water treatment being in place, then the City will have an asset that will be reviewed at that time if it should be kept, repurposed, or removed as determined by Council. Councilmember Date commented that much of the steps taken at this time are somewhat less than ideal, but necessary due to the timeline. Councilmember Date commented that no City funding to date has been allocated so far. City Administrator Gridley reviewed how Council may be asked in the future to review the facility and possible contributions by the City to the project. Councilmember Date was concerned with if the City has its own money in the project it may make it harder in the future to then have all options available on what could be considered for the building. Mr. Westerman reviewed the funding details for the project and commitments to date from 3M. Councilmember Morris questioned what the grant will cover and it was clarified that the plan to date is all covered, but pending final approvals. What will be covered by the consent decree vs. the settlement funding was reviewed and discussed. Councilmember Santini moved and seconded by Councilmember Scoggins to authorize issuance of a Land Disturbance Permit in advance of site approvals subject to the following conditions: A tree replacement and landscaping plan shall be reviewed and approved by the Environmental Division. Voting in Favor: Date, Scoggins, Morris, Santini, Burt Absent: None Page 2 of 3  Woodbury Special City Council Meeting Minutes Wednesday, February 19, 2020 Adjournment Mayor Burt moved and seconded by Councilmember Morris to adjourn the Special City Council meeting at 7:55 p.m. Voting in Favor: Date, Scoggins, Morris, Santini, Burt Absent: None Respectfully submitted, __________________________________________ Angela Gorall, Assistant City Administrator Approved by the Woodbury City Council on February 26, 2020 Page 3 of 3