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Home My WebLink About10-07-02 WS• CITY OF LAKEVILLE COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 7, 2002 Present: Mayor Bob Johnson, Council Members Mulvihill, Luick, Bellows and Rieb; City Administrator Bob Erickson; Community and Economic Development Director Dave Olson; and Deputy Clerk Judi Hawkins. ITEM NO. 1. STATUS UPDATE ON 2030 BLUEPRINT POLICIES. City Administrator Bob Erickson introduced special legal counsel James Thomson of Kennedy and Graven who was present to provide an executive summary regarding the proposed Elko/New Market interceptor. Mr. Thomson has reviewed the current actions of the Metropolitan Council for the purpose of determining if there is any basis for challenge. The Metropolitan Council has recently authorized execution of a contract with Bonestroo and Associates, in an amount not to exceed $350,000, to complete three tasks. The three tasks include aerial photography and digitized mapping, natural resources and environmental inventory and public involvement programs. Kennedy and Graven has not been provided with a copy of the contract. • The Met Council has awarded a $75,000 grant to Scott County to assist with completion of a comprehensive plan update for the Elko/New Market/New Market Township area. The Met Council will also provide $75,000 for consulting services for asub-regional planning study for Scott County's comprehensive plan update. Mr. Thomson stated that the Met Council is a legislatively created body and-can only act as authorized, not arbitrarily or unreasonably. The agency is authorized to review projects of metropolitan significance and is compelled to comply with their own policies. Mr. Thomson discussed three possible options that might be considered by the City of Lakeville under the circumstances. The City could continue to monitor the project, seek assistance from the Legislature, or initiate litigation against the Council under the Minnesota Environment Rights Act. The Met Council is moving ahead with the proposed interceptor based on their proposed 2030 Blueprint, not on the adopted 2020 Blueprint, however the 2030 plan could be adopted by December. If the plan is adopted, the Met Council could be seen as acting unreasonably, since they have not provided adequate time for public hearings and input. Mayor Johnson .inquired whether the Met Council would eliminate our legal position by adopting the 2030 Blueprint in advance of a decision by the courts. Mr. Thomson • stated that he would prefer to answer specific questions in a closed session. Council Member Mulvihill stated that the proposed interceptor 'project is being pursued as a "pilot" project without the rural growth centers policy being officially adopted. Community and Economic Development Director Dave Olson stated that at the Blueprint 2030 meeting held in Rosemount last week, the Met Council estimated the number of persons to be accommodated by the interceptor to be 18,000. He feels that adequate analysis of growth and cost has not been done and the projected costs are not nearly sufficient. Unprojected expenses will need to be made up somehow. Council Member Luick stated that the Metropolitan Council only has jurisdiction over the seven-county area, not the entire 13-county area.. He feels they are expanding their authority and not accurately accounting for growth. He stated this is "backward planning." Mayor Johnson asked where. Lakeville's neighboring cities stand on the issue. City Administrator Erickson stated that all cities served by Empire are either supportive of Lakeville's efforts or are neutral. Council Member Mulvihill added that she is disappointed with the Met Council's $75,000 grant to assist with Scot County's Comprehensive Plan. Lakeville did not receive any financial assistance on their plan, which has been used as a model by many cities. . Mayor Johnson stated that he needs more information pertaining to options two and three suggested in Mr. Thomson's summary. City Administrator Erickson has spoken to City Attorney Roger Knutson who concurs that an Executive Session would be the most appropriate venue to discuss this issue. Mayor Johnson and City Council Members discussed setting an Executive Session at their Council meeting later this evening. The Executive Session would be followed by a budget work session. October 14th at 4:00 PM was suggested. ITEM NO. 2. ADJOURN. The work session adjourned at 6:45 PM. Respectfully submitted, 7 udit~ R. Hawkins, Deputy Clerk r: