8.g City Administrator report1
Neil Soltis
From:Greene, Wendy L <WLGreene@bherenewables.com>
Sent:Thursday, April 25, 2019 6:00 PM
To:Jay Riggs; Jim Shaver; Neil Soltis; Byron Karns; Ben Meyer; Carl Almer; Sorensen, Jenifer
(DNR); Richter, Joe G (DNR); thomas.j.hingsberger@usace.army.mil; Nistler, Nicholas
(MPCA)
Cc:Poteet, Neal; John P. Hanson
Subject:RE: Update for Argo Navis Community Solar Garden - Scandia, MN
Attachments:BHE_REV 0 for Bids_Mar 12 2019.pdf
Categories:issues for council
Hello All,
In response to Jay’s request for an update, please see an estimated schedule of upcoming work to be implemented in
the area east of the original EOF location at the Argo Navis Community Solar Garden. All work to be implemented will be
proposed in accordance with discussions already held between BHER and the TEP members, as well as through
continued communication and coordination.
Timing Task Notes
May 6 - May 10,
2019
Site Investigation Dan Tix (Barr Senior Wetland Ecologist) - Timing dependent on area
vegetation and conditions
May 10 – June 10,
2019
Preliminary Slope
Stabilization and
Wetland Remediation
Plans Submitted to
TEP for Review
Draft plans will be routed to the TEP as soon as they have
undergone internal review by BHER
June 2019 TEP/BHER
Coordination Meeting
As necessary during initial draft review
July 2019 Final Slope
Stabilization and
Wetland Remediation
Submitted to TEP
Pending coordination with TEP and internal review by BHER
July/August 2019 Construction
commences
Dependent on specific plan requirements
Other Argo Navis Updates
Initial construction for improvements to the on-site stormwater system commenced in March 2019 in
anticipation of possible flood conditions throughout the state. This was short-term and prior to full contract
execution. Work will continue on both Phases I and II of the project (see attached drawings) re-commencing
Monday, April 29, 2019 and is expected to be completed in early July, 2019.
Matt Berg with Endangered Resource Services has been retained to conduct the mussel survey as requested by
DNR. He will conduct the survey when conditions allow and I will keep the TEP notified as to progress on this.
BHER continues to work with CMSCWD on approval of the stormwater system design, Maintenance Agreement,
and Construction Agreement.
2019 Category B City: SCANDIA
Currently a Step 2 GreenStep City as of June 2018
- joined May 2014 -
Which assessment? Preliminary: for city review Final: recommendation to LMC
Assessor and date: Philipp Muessig, 4/30/19
Total BPs done: All required* BPs done? BP distribution requirements* met?
Recommend new June 2019 recognition at: Step 3
* required for Step 3 recognition
Best practices (required in bold) BP implemented? Action summary by # and star level achieved
Action rules (req. actions in bold)
BUILDINGS: distribution requirement is 2 BPs; are 2 done?
1. Public
Actions 1 & 2
YES 1.1 COMPLETE @ 2 STARS – current to fall 2017
1.2 COMPLETE @ 1 STAR -- occupancy sensors in restrooms - Community
Building and Ice Rink warming house
1.3 COMPLETE @ 1 STAR -- retrofit of interior & exterior fixtures at
Community Building to LEDs; exterior Dark Sky spec; $33,285 cost, Xcel
rebate of $5,069, annual cost savings est. at $3,240 (at most an 8.7 year
payback)
2. Private
any one action
3. New
any one action
4. Lighting/Signals
2 actions; one from 5-8
YES 4.1 COMPLETE @ 3 STARS -- all zoning districts require full cut-offs
4.5 COMPLETE @ 1 STAR -- solar light shining downward installed atop
flag pole for veterans memorial Lilleskogen Park
5. Reuse
any one action
LAND USE: 2 BPs required; are 2 done?
6. Comp Plan
Actions 1 & 2
YES
6.1 COMPLETE @ 1 STAR -- natural resource goals protecting open
spaces to retain the rural character of Scandia; also Guidelines for the
Protection of Scandia's Scenic Viewsheds
6.2 COMPLETE @ 1 STAR
6.3 COMPLETE @ 2 STARS
7. Density
any one action
8. Mixed Uses
any one action
9. Highway Development
any one action
10. Conservation Development
any one action
YES
10.1 COMPLETE @ 2 STARS -- Open Space Conservation Subdivisions
require 55%+ protected land
10.3 COMPLETE @ 2 STARS -- Woodland Preservation Plan is required
whenever significant trees or woodlands exist in a proposed construction
zone
TRANSPORTATION: 1 BP required; is 1 done?
14 YES YES
YES
YES
YES
11. Complete Green Streets
1; & one additional action
12. Mobility Options
any one action
YES 12.1 COMPLETE @ 1 STAR -- Friends of Scandia Parks and Trails did map
showing 4 cycling routes within the City
13. Fleets
any one action
14. TOD / TDM
any two actions
ENVIRONMENTAL MGT: 3 BPs required; are 3 done?
15. Purchasing
1; and one additional action
YES 15.1 COMPLETE @ 2 STARS – 2018 council resolution amending
purchasing policy to add an objective to purchase sustainable whenever
practicable
15.7 COMPLETE @ 1 STAR -- tablets used by Council, Planning
Commission, other Committees: meeting packets posted to a Dropbox
16. Trees
any one action
YES 16.5 COMPLETE @ 2 STARS – required tree preservation plan for plats and
minor subdivisions, replacement standards (up to 2-for-1) for significant
trees
17. Stormwater
any one action
YES 17.5 COMPLETE @ 2 STARS -- City's Development Code stresses
reducing the need for stormwater controls/BMPs by minimizing
impervious surfaces, incorporating the use of natural topography,
installing green roofs, cisterns
18. Parks & Trails
any two actions
YES 18.5 COMPLETE @ 2 STARS – 2016 resolution: best efforts to utilize plants
favorable to pollinators, use native MN species, cease the use of
pesticides that would impact pollinators
18.8 COMPLETE @ 3 STARS – 2017 thorough volunteer policy for
maintenance in City parks, species mapping, removal of invasives, etc
19. Surface Water
if state public water: 4; and
one additional action
others: any one action
NO 19.4 COMPLETE @ 2 STARS – 2007 shoreland overlay district; added
shoreland management regulations to the development code
20. Water / Wastewater
1 & 2; and one additional
21. Septics
any one action
22. Solid Waste
one from 1-3; & one from 4-8
NO 22.6 COMPLETE @ 1 STAR -- City contracts with SRC for single sort
curbside recycling collection for all households
23. Local Air Quality
any one action
ECON & COMM DEVELOP: 3 BPs required; are 3 done?
24. Benchmarks & Involvement
1; and one additional action
YES 24.1 COMPLETE @ 2 STARS -- Friends of Scandia Parks and Trails assists
City with the GreenStep implementation/reports; reports to Council
24.4 COMPLETE @ 2 STARS -- ongoing free speaker events (some in
partnership with the Marine Community Library) on recycling, wasps,
building resiliency to climate change, silkworm moths, changes in
Minnesota birds, climate change and trees
25. Green Businesses
any two actions
YES 25.1 COMPLETE @ 1 STAR -- Economic Development resources on web
include RETAP
25.7 COMPLETE @ 2 STARS -- City maintains a listing of local businesses
topically organized and links, on its website
26. Renewable Energy
any two actions
YES 26.1 COMPLETE @ 2 STARS –2016 Solar farm & community solar garden
ordinance; 4 solar farms have been approved
YES
YES
26.5 COMPLETE @ 1 STAR -- 40 kW solar system on the roof of the Fire /
Public Works Building; performance displayed live on public web site
26.6 COMPLETE @ X STAR -- Community Solar Garden purchases (up to
120% of city electricity needs) expected to produce 127,771 kWh
annually; savings of $0.01 per kWh produced
26.7 COMPLETE @ 1 STAR -- solar energy systems (except for roof- &
building-mounted) are permitted accessory uses in all zoning districts:
only building permit review process (not CUP) for systems smaller than
800 s.f. in area
27. Local Food
any one action
YES 27.3 COMPLETE @ 3 STARS – City & Gammelgården Museum
collaborated in 2011 to bring a Farmers Market to Scandia; market is
promoted on the City website and in the Spring newsletter
28. Business Synergies
2, 3 or 4
29. Climate Adaptation
YES 29.2 COMPLETE @ 2 STARS -- City worked with Washington Co. to update
in 2018 the All-Hazard Mitigation Plan; City is creating its own
Emergency operations plan; emergency information via ECHO, Code
Red in English, Spanish, Hmong, Somali, via landlines, cells, text,
outdoor warning sirens, house-to-house contact, including alerting
individuals with special needs; fire station is emergency shelter
NO
From: Muessig, Philipp (MPCA) [mailto:philipp.muessig@state.mn.us]
Sent: Tuesday, April 30, 2019 4:53 PM
To: n.soltis@ci.scandia.mn.us
Subject: Scandia GSC assessment 2019
Step 3 it is Neil – congratulations! Very impressive the work of Friends of Scandia Parks; and the
city/county emergency planning is better than larger cities I’ve reviewed. All good for other cities to see.
- Philipp
Public Notice
Carnelian-Marine-St. Croix Watershed District
The Washington County Board of Commissioners announces they will be accepting
applications for the Carnelian-Marine-St. Croix Watershed District Board of Managers.
Applicants must reside in the Watershed District. Cities or townships included in the
Carnelian-Marine-St. Croix Watershed are:
Hugo, Grant, Marine on St. Croix, Scandia,
May Township, and Stillwater Township
To receive an application, please call the Washington County Office of Administration at
(651) 430-6009, or go on line at: http://www.co.washington.mn.us/index.aspx?nid=300
Applications must be received by July 16, 2019.
If you need assistance due to disability or language barrier, please call 430-6000 (TDD
439-3220) An Equal Employment Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer