HomeMy WebLinkAbout17-132 - ADMIN Resolution - City Council - 2017/09/05RESOLUTION NO. 17-132
RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT
FOR THE MINNEHAHA CREEK WATERSHED DISTRICT
WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN
WHEREAS, the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (District) has drafted an update to its
Watershed Management Plan (WMP) which was distributed for public review and comment on
July 7, 2017;
WHEREAS, the draft WMP centers around the District's Balanced Urban Ecology policy
which prioritizes partnership with the land use community to integrate policy, planning, and
implementation in order to leverage the environmental, social, and economic value created when
built and natural systems are in harmony;
WHEREAS, the City of St. Louis Park is a founding partner in development of an integrated
planning and implementation framework, the Balanced Urban Ecology approach, and has worked
with the District to implement numerous impactful community projects along the Minnehaha
Creek Greenway, including projects at the Minnehaha Preserve, Methodist Hospital and Japs-
Olson;
WHEREAS, the draft WMP creates a framework in support of this policy which
emphasizes:
• Partnership and early coordination with cities and other public and private partners acting
on the landscape to align goals, plans, and investments;
• Focused implementation in areas of high resource need and opportunity so as to make
significant, measurable improvement to water resources;
• Flexibility to respond to needs and opportunities District -wide through capital
improvements, grants, technical support, and other programming;
WHEREAS, the draft WMP has been developed in coordination with a Policy Advisory
Committee, Technical Advisory Committee, and Citizens Advisory Committee which met
regularly throughout 2015-2016 to provide input on the proposed WMP framework;
WHEREAS, the City of St. Louis Park participated in the development of the draft WMP
through its Technical Advisory Committee and sub -watershed meetings;
WHEREAS, the draft WMP includes several projects aimed at improving water quality,
water quantity, ecological integrity, public access and community connectivity in the Minnehaha
Creek sub -watershed, including capital improvement projects within the City of St. Louis Park;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:
• St. Louis Park expresses support for the District's draft WMP and its approach of
partnership and integrated planning, focused implementation, and responsiveness to
opportunities;
• St. Louis Park will continue coordination of its policies, plans, and investments with the
District to maximize public benefit;
• St. Louis Park will review each proposed capital improvement project within the city
individually before committing funding.
No. 17-132
for kdrainistration: Adopted by the City Council September 5, 2017
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�mAing, City Manager e Sp or
Attest:
&Meliss Lenned"Clerk