Letter Olsen Watershed DistrictSally Olsen
District 44A
Hopkins Minnetonka -St Louis Park
Committees:
Education
Education Finance Division
General Legislation and Veterans Affairs
Health and Welfare
Duane R. Ekman, Chairman
Minnesota Water Resources Board
555 Wabasha
St, Paul, MN 55102
Dear Mr. Ekman:
August 19, 1983
Minnesota
House of
Representatives
Harry A Sleben. Jr Speaker
RE: Minnesota Statutes Section 112.37, subdivision 7.
I am writing to you regarding the provision in Chapter 509, Laws of 1982,
which provides for an increase in the number of managers on the boards of
watershed districts in the State of Minnesota. On May 20, 1983, I had
communicated with the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District regarding this
matter and asked for their consideration in increasing the size of that
particular watershed district's board. I find that on May 19, the watershed
district took action not to increase their size from the current number of
five. The minutes indicate that, "President Cochran advised the board
that he had received a number of calls from mayors of municipalities within
the district inquiring what the board's position would be on this issue and
asked the managers for their comments. Manager Andre stated that he saw
no need at this time to recommend an increase in the size of the board." At
that meeting, the board took action to remain at five members and to commu-
nicate this action to you.
I also note that in the Riley- Purgatory Creek Watershed District minutes of
their meeting of June 1, 1983 regarding this same matter, the following is
recorded, "Mr. Richards reported on his findings about various metropolitan
area watershed district managers' consideration of the size of watershed
district boards. For those metropolitan districts responding, the managers
were advised that all watershed boards are recommending that they remain at
five in number."
Since I had had communication with some of the municipalities downstream in
the Minnehaha Watershed District, I knew that they were interested in increas-
ing the size of their board. I include, for your information, a copy of a
letter dated June 8 from the City of St. Louis Park to Mr. David Cochran of
the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District indicating the council's unanimous
vote to support the expansion of the watershed district board. This letter
states, "We strongly urge you to expand the number of members on the board."
I had an opportunity to discuss this matter with Representative Connie Levi,
who was one of the authors of the Chapter 509 legislation. She indicated that
Reply to 312 State Office Buitdrng, St Paul. Minnesota 55155 Office (612) 296 -3964
3307 Decatur Lane, St Louis Park. Minnesota 55426 Home. (612) 933 -1433
Duane R. Ekman
August 19, 1983
Page Two
she and Senator Gene Merriam, the Senate author, included this provision
to promote the expansion of these watershed district boards. The information
which I have cited above would seem to indicate that the watershed district
boards are not following through on what we believe to be legislative intent.
I would appreciate hearing from you soon on this matter.
Sincerely,
cc: David Cochran, President
Minnehaha Creek Watershed District
P. 0. Box 387
Wayzata, MN 55391
Sally Olsen
State Representative
Cam Andre, Manager
Minnehaha Creek Watershed District
P. 0. Box 387
Wayzata, MN 55391
James L. Brimeyer, City Manager
City of St. Louis Park
c/o Sharon Klumpp For distribution to Mayor, Council and Dick Koppy
5005 Minnetonka Blvd.
St. Louis Park, MN 55416
Riley- Purgatory Creek Watershed District
Eden Prairie City Hall
8950 Eden Prairie Road
Eden Prairie, MN 55343
George MacDonald
3306 Decatur Lane
St. Louis Park, MN 55426
Sally Olsen
District 44A
Hopkins Minnetonka St Lows Park
Committees:
Education
Education Finance Division
General Legislation and Veterans Affairs
Health and Welfare
Mr. Duane Ekman, Chairman
Minnesota Water Resources Board
555 Wabasha
St. Paul, MN 55102
Dear Mr. Ekman:
cc: David Cochran
Cam Andre
James L. Brimeyer
George McDonald
September 29, 1983
Reply to 312 State Office Building, St Paul, Minnesota 55155
3307 Decatur Lane, St Louis Park, Minnesota 55426
Sincerely,
Minnesota
House of
Representatives
Harry A Sieben, Jr Speaker
In late August, Mel Sinn, Acting Executive Director of the State Water
Resources Board, responded on your behalf to my letter of August 19
concerning the provision in Chapter 509, Laws of 1982, which provides
for an increase in the number of managers on the boards of watershed
districts.
Since I received that letter, I have once again visited with Repre-
sentative Connie Levi, one of the authors of that legislation. She
reaffirmed her prior statements orally and in writing (see her letter
of September 23, 1983, copy enclosed) that the legislative intent was to
expand the watershed district boards to provide for geographic represen-
tation from those areas not now represented on the boards without removing
incumbent board members.
Representative Levi also called Mel Sinn personally to discuss this matter.
'She indicated to me that prior to that conversation Mr. Sinn had a different
perception of legislative intent.
I believe that it is important to share this additional information with
the watershed district boards so that they can be clear that legislative
intent was to expand these boards.
Sally Olsen
State Representative
Office (612) 296-3964
Home (612) 933 -1433
Sally Olsen
District 44A
Hopkins Minnetonka St Louis Park
C mmlttees:
Education
Education Finance Division
General Legislation and Veterans Affairs
Health and Welfare
October 31, 1983
Reply to
Water Resources Board
State of Minnesota
555 Wabasha, Room 206
St. Paul, Minnesota 55102
Dear Board Members:
I regret that I am unable to appear before the Water Resources
Board on November 3, 1983, when you conduct your hearing on
expanding the size of the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District
Board from five to nine members.
Let me go on record as supporting the expansion to nine members.
Minimally, I would ask that of the nine members, one each be from
the cities of Edina, Hopkins, Minneapolis, Minnetonka and St.
Louis Park and one from Carver County. If it is required, one
more could be from Carver County and two from among the communities
surrounding Lake Minnetonka.
If there is no need for another member from Carver County, that
one member could be at large from Hennepin County. Each community
should submit at least three names from which the County Board
shall select the community representative.
I have sent you several communications on this matter. The downstream
communities believe they are underrepresented, while shouldering most
of the tax burden.
I urge your prompt action to expand
the legislative intent as expressed
the purpose of which was to provide
forcing current managers to give up
Sincerely,
Sally Olsen
State Representative
Minnesota
House of
Representatives
Harry A Sieben, Jr Speaker
the watershed board to fulfill
in Minnesota Statutes 112.42,
broader representation without
their seats.
SO/kr
cc: George MacDonald, 3306 Decatur Lane, St. Louis Park 55426
Tom Murphy, 3325 Decatur Lane, St. Louis Park 55426
Rep. Connie Levi
Mayors and City Council Members f St. Louis Park, Hopkins, Edina
and Minneapolis
312 State Office Building, St Paul. Minnesota 55155 Office (612) 296 -3964
3307 Decatur Lane, St. Louis Park, Minnesota 55426 Home (612) 933 -1433
Connie Levi
District 55A
Washington County
Committees:
Education
Education Finance Division
Local and Urban Affairs
Physical and Economic
Development Subcommittee
Rep. Sally Olsen
312 State Office Bldg.
St. Paul, MN 55155
CL:mm
September 23, 1983
Dear Sally:
This letter is in response to our conversation of September 21
regarding provisions in Chapter 509, Laws of 1982, for restructuring
metropolitan watershed districts.
The inclusion of the language in Chapter 509 had a definite
purpose. Concerns had been expressed by many municipalities and
townships about representation on boards of managers of watershed
districts and whether or not that representation (a) was responsive
to local jurisdictions and, (b) was geographically distributed. In
responding to the concerns of the communities, language was included
in Chapter 509 to allow for reorganization of watershed district
boards of managers to insure geographical representation and input
by the municipalities in the nominating process. We allowed for ex-
pansion of the size of the boards in order that existing managers
not be bumped to accomplish the above.
It is my hope that the watershed boards and the Water Resourc s
Board will be sensitive to the legislative intent of Chapter 509 in
this regard. It is my understanding that the Water Resources Board
will be holding hearings with opportunity for communities to have
input on this question. If you have communities who have concerns,
I would suggest that you urge them to attend these meetings and pro-
vide input to the Water Resources Board regarding their concerns.
I have visited with Mel Sinn from the Water Resources Board staff
and indicated to him my concern and reiterated the legislative intent
of these provisions. If I can be of any further help, please feel
free to call on me.
Sincerely,
Harry A. Sleben, Jr., Speaker
Connie Levi
State Representative
Minnesota
House of
Representatives
Reply to. 0 317 State Office Building. St Paul. Minnesota 55155 Office (612) 296 -4124