97-058 - 09-02 Requesting County Assistance in Oversight of Minnehaha Creek Watershed District Resolution 97-58 September 2, 1997
Member Micks introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION REQUESTING COUNTY ASSISTANCE IN THE
OVERSIGHT OF THE MINNEHAHA CREEK WATERSHED DISTRICT
WHEREAS, the City of Golden Valley lies [partly] within the boundaries of the
Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD); and
WHEREAS, the City has significant concerns that the MCWD has not demonstrated
good governance in the conduct of its statutory responsibilities; and
WHEREAS, such concerns relate to such matters as: a lack of intergovernmental
comity and cooperation; a failure to give timely, responsive, and reasonable consideration
to public and private project applications; an apparent unwillingness to give fair
consideration to alternatives for funding MCWD projects; the absence of sound, accurate
and thorough budgeting; a lack of consistency in dealing with municipalities within the
district; a failure to recognize limitations on legal authority of the District and to appreciate
and accommodate local concerns; unreasonable restrictions on minor developments,
redevelopments and public improvements; a failure to utilize professional staff effectively;
excessive expenditure of public funds for administration, per diem, consultants and travel
expenses; inflexible application and unreasonable interpretation of District rules; and the
failure to evaluate fully the cost effectiveness of storm water management and water
quality improvements and structural and nonstructural alternatives to such improvements;
and
WHEREAS, the actions of the District have resulted in: an unnecessary duplication
of effort among political subdivisions; unnecessary delays and increased costs of
development and redevelopment projects and public improvements; an extraordinary
commitment of public money and staff resources in dealing with the District; an excessive
tax burden on the citizens of the City; delayed provision of needed public facilities; and a
declining confidence in the governance of the affairs of the District; and
WHEREAS, a number of the cities within the MCWD also lie within other watershed
districts or participate in joint powers watershed management organizations where they
have not experienced similar problems; and
WHEREAS, the City has no means of exercising control over the affairs of the
MCWD for the benefit of the City and its citizens, and lacks the resources to monitor,
oversee, and negotiate with the District independently.
Resolution 97-58 - Continued September 2, 1997
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Golden
Valley that:
1. The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners is hereby requested to undertake
a thorough investigation of the activities of the MCWD, to monitor and oversee
the ongoing activities of the District, to facilitate dialog between the District and
affected municipalities, to consider diligently the costs effectiveness of capital
projects proposed by the District and structural and nonstructural alternatives to
such projects prior to approval thereof, and to take such other actions as the
County deems appropriate to ensure the accountability of the District and
address concerns described above.
2. City staff is directed to explore with other cities in the watershed district joint and
cooperative efforts to monitor and oversee the activities of the MCWD, in
cooperation with Hennepin County.
Mary E. nderson, Mayor
ATTEST:
Shirley J. N o , Ci y Clerk
The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was seconded by Member Johnson
and upon a vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof: Anderson,
Johnson, LeSuer, Micks and Russell; and the following voted against the same: none,
whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted, signed by the Mayor
and her signature attested by the City Clerk.