HomeMy WebLinkAbout16-099 - ADMIN Resolution - City Council - 2016/08/15RESOLUTION NO. 16-099
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING
x" MINNEHAHA CREEK WATERSHED DISTRICT — PARK NICOLLET PARTNERSHIP
FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT AND WETLAND ENHANCEMENT PROJECT
WHEREAS, the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) and the City of St. Louis
Park have enjoyed a sustained and strategic partnership to protect, restore and enhance Minnehaha
Creek; and
WHEREAS, the MCWD and City of St. Louis Park's partnership has managed regional
stormwater runoff, expanded and enhanced riparian greenspace, provided vital community
connections, and facilitated economic development around the Minnehaha Creels Greenway; and
WHEREAS, the MCWD and the City of St. Louis Park are committed to continuing the
Minnehaha Creek Greenway partnership through the integration of municipal and water resource
planning; and
WHEREAS, in 2008 the MCWD and Park Nicollet Health Services collaborated to realign
1,400 feet of Minnehaha Creek, providing access to 10 acres of restored greenspace through a
1,900 foot boardwalk at Methodist Hospital; and
WHEREAS, in 2014, due to record flooding Park Nicollet experienced high water that
impacted the operation of its loading docks at Methodist Hospital; and
WHEREAS, Park Nicollet Health Services subsequently established goals of improving
flood protection for Methodist Hospital; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to resolution 14-087, in 2015 the MCWD and Park Nicollet
executed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) documenting their mutual interest in creatively
and collaboratively identifying a range of flood solutions for the hospital; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding Park Nicollet and
MCWD identified an opportunity to enhance site wetlands in a manner that would exceed
floodplain management requirements, improve ecological function and value, and enhance site
aesthetics; and
WHEREAS, in coordination with the City of St. Louis Park and pursuant to MCWD
resolution 16-030, in March 2016 MCWD and Park Nicollet executed a Cooperative Agreement
memorializing a mutual commitment to advancing the wetland enhancement project as a potential
floodplain compensatory storage solution, while conducting master planning for the Methodist
Campus; and
WHEREAS, under the Cooperative Agreement, Park Nicollet and MCWD advanced the
design of the wetland enhancement, coordinated regulatory requirements and wish to advance the
partnership for ecological improvements and floodplain management into the construction phase;
and
WHEREAS, the proposed project furthers Park Nicollet's mission to improve health and
well-being in partnership with our members, patients and community; and
Resolution No. 16-099 -2-
WHEREAS, the City of St. Louis Park finds this project consistent with its Comprehensive
Plan goals and its standing partnership with the MCWD to integrate public and private plans and
investments to expand and enhance the Minnehaha Creek Greenway.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT, by the City Council of the City of St.
that the City supports the MCWD-Park Nicoliet Partnership for floodplain
and wetland enhancement.
by the City Council August 15, 2016
City Manager Jake
Attest:
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