8.d) Staff Report-White Bear Lake LawsuitSCANDIA
Staff Report
Date of Meeting: February 17, 2015
To: City Council
From: Kristina Handt, Administrator
Re: White Bear Lake v DNR Lawsuit
Background:
A discussed at the February work session, items related to the DNR`s settlement with the White
Bear Lake Restoration Association could have a significant impact on Scandia water users. A
draft resolution opposing the settlement agreement was reviewed at the work session. Following
that meeting we received a revised version from the City of Hugo and some of those changes
have been incorporated in the resolution in your packet.
Issue:
Should the City of Scandia join other communities in opposing the White Bear Lake v DNR
settlement?
Proposal Details:
The new version of the resolution has a similar intent to the previous one reviewed but added
some additional points, such as the last WHEREAS that references how state statute classifies
water into essential and non-essential priorities. Recreational uses, such as those on White Bear
Lake, are non-essential.
In summary the resolution opposes the settlement because studies have not been completed to
back up the claims by White Bear Lake Association with scientific facts, there is no benefits to
the City of Scandia or residents and therefore they should not have to pay for new systems,
boundaries were arbitrarily chosen, and the significant economic impacts of the settlement on
other communities.
Fiscal Impact:
None associated with approving the resolution.
Legislation is being proposed by Rep. Peter Fisher to place usage fees on private well owners.
This could have a significant impact on Scandia property owners as this would be a new fee. In
establishing the fee for residential users, the commissioner could consider lot sizes. Since
Scandia has large lot sizes this may also lead to a greater impact.
Options:
1) Approve the Resolution 2-17-15-04
2) Amend and then Approve the Resolution 2-17-15-04
3) Do not pass the Resolution 2-17-15-04
Recommendation:
Option 1.