Sponsor: Parks & Recreation
Title
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Access and Maintenance Agreement for Rice Creek Stormwater Treatment Ponds in the Rice Creek Regional Trail Corridor.
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Recommendation
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1. Approve an Access and Maintenance Agreement with the city of Shoreview for the Rice Creek Stormwater Treatment Ponds in the Rice Creek Regional Trail Corridor.
2. Authorize the Chair and Chief Clerk to execute the agreement.
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Background and Rationale
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Prior to 1999, the city of Shoreview constructed two stormwater treatment ponds on city property to receive runoff from Rice Creek Parkway and support long-term development on adjacent lands. In 1999, there was a land swap between the city and county in the northwest corner of the Rice Creek Regional Trail corridor to accommodate Rice Creek Parkway and future development needs. As part of that land swap, the county acquired property that included the two stormwater treatment ponds. As development has occurred adjacent to Rice Creek Parkway, the city constructed stormwater reuse infrastructure consisting of an intake pipe, a pumphouse, and associated underground piping on the property as shown in the Agreement Exhibit A and B. The city has a need for long-term access and maintenance of the two stormwater treatment ponds and associated stormwater infrastructure located on county property in the Rice Creek Regional Trail corridor.
The Access and Maintenance Agreement enables the city to access the ponds on county property and perform routine and non-routine maintenance activities. Routine maintenance activities consist of sediment and vegetation removal adjacent to stormwater infrastructure outlets and intakes, selective removal of vegetation to allow access to the ponds to perform required maintenance, repair and replacement of riprap located adjacent to the ponds, and removal of sediment from stormwater infrastructure. Non-routine maintenance consists of access of large equipment for replacement of existing stormwater infrastructure, and removal of sediment from ponds. The city will be responsible for restoration of impacted areas including hard surface bituminous and concrete pavement areas, turf, natural areas, and park related site amenities from routine and non-routine maintenance activities. All costs associated with the operation and maintenance of the ponds and pond infrastructure is the sole responsibility of the city. The city shall not assess the county for any costs associated with future operation and maintenance of the ponds and infrastructure.
If the city has a future need for acquisition of a permanent easement for the ponds and stormwater infrastructure, the city shall be responsible to examine property titles, prepare necessary permanent easement documents, provide easement documents for county review and recording easements at no cost to the county. If a future permanent easement is granted to the city from the county, the location and width of that future permanent easement is shown on Exhibit B for reference.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☐ Well-being ☐ Prosperity ☒ Opportunity ☐ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
This is a project led by the city requiring access and maintenance to the stormwater treatment ponds on county property; however, these improvements will have local benefits by supporting improved stormwater management for adjacent land developments that utilize these ponds. Benefits will be gained through advancing development opportunities on adjacent vacant land in an area that has a racial makeup of 27% people of color in the city. In addition, these improvements support investments in racially and ethnically diverse communities of color by providing long-term well-being and contribute to greater racial equity goals.
Community Participation Level and Impact
There was no county related community participation related to the Access and Maintenance Agreement. This is a city-led project regarding access and long-term maintenance improvements to stormwater treatment ponds on county property. Prior to the start of the project, the city notified the county of access and maintenance needs.
☒ Inform ☐ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
The city is completing all aspects of this project at no cost to the county.
County Manager Comments
No additional comments.
Last Previous Action
On August 25, 2020, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners approved a Temporary Construction Easement and Maintenance Agreement with the city of Shoreview for access to county property for the installation of a trail extension (Resolution B2020-160).
Attachments
1. Access and Maintenance Agreement
2. Agreement Exhibits