IV.5. Resolution of Support – Minnehaha Creek Watershed District Watershed Management Plan; Elverum (CR2017-110) August 29, 2017 Council Report 2017-110
RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT – MINNEHAHA CREEK WATERSHED DISTRICT
WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN
Proposed Action
Staff recommends adoption of the following motion: Move to approve Resolution 2017-
058 supporting the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District Watershed Management Plan.
With this motion the resolution will be forwarded to the Minnehaha Creek Watershed
District.
Overview
For the past several years, the City of Hopkins has worked closely with the Minnehaha
Creek Watershed District (MCWD) to solve problems and realize opportunities.
Hopkins is a founding partner with the MCWD in the development of an integrated
planning and implementation framework—the Balanced Urban Ecology approach. This
approach prioritizes partnerships with municipalities 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.
Through this partnership numerous impactful community projects along the Minnehaha
Creek Greenway have been or will be realized, including the expansion and
improvement of Cottageville Park and the redevelopment and regional treatment of
storm water on the Cold Storage site.
The proposed plan supports continued collaboration in order to achieve shared goals
and was developed with input from its municipal partners, including the City of Hopkins.
Supporting Information
• Resolution 2017-058
___________________________
Kersten Elverum
Director of Planning & Development
CITY OF HOPKINS
HENNEPIN, MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION 2017-058
RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FROM THE CITY OF HOPKINS
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 Hopkins 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 Cottageville Park and the forthcoming 325 Blake Road;
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 Hopkins participated in the development of the draft WMP through
its Technical Advisory Committee and subwatershed meetings; and,
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 subwatershed, including capital improvement projects within the City of Hopkins.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:
• Hopkins expresses support for the District’s draft WMP and its approach of partnership
and integrated planning, focused implementation, and responsiveness to opportunities;
and,
• Hopkins will continue coordination of its policies, plans, and investments with the
District to maximize public benefit.
Adopted this 5th day of September 2017.
By:
________________________________
Molly Cummings, Mayor
Attest:
______________________________
Amy Domeier, City Clerk