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3.5 Otsego Creek EAW Request for City Council Action DEPARTMENT INFORMATION ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT REQUESTOR: MEETING DATE: Planning City Planner Licht 10 April 2023 PRESENTER(s) REVIEWED BY: ITEM #: Consent City Administrator/Finance Director Flaherty City Engineer Wagner 3.5 – Otsego Creek EAW STRATEGIC VISION MEETS: THE CITY OF OTSEGO: X Is a strong organization that is committed to leading the community through innovative communication. X Has proactively expanded infrastructure to responsibly provide core services. Is committed to delivery of quality emergency service responsive to community needs and expectations in a cost-effective manner. Is a social community with diverse housing, service options, and employment opportunities. X Is a distinctive, connected community known for its beauty and natural surroundings. AGENDA ITEM DETAILS RECOMMENDATION: City staff recommends approval of the Otsego Creek EAW for publication and distribution. ARE YOU SEEKING APPROVAL OF A CONTRACT? IS A PUBLIC HEARING REQUIRED? No No BACKGROUND/JUSTIFICATION: The City is proposing a public improvement project consisting of modifying Otsego Creek within the Prairie Pointe plat. This will include excavation and filling within the existing creek in the project site to re- meander the main channel and add overflow berms. Other construction activities will include installation of turf reinforcement mats, select tree removal, reseeding banks, and installation of two twin culverts. Work will be completed by contractors hired by the City. The Project site is a natural area and will remain as such post project. No equipment, process, or structures are present at the site in existing conditions and will not be added or modified by the Project. The construction of the Project is anticipated to start in Fall 2023 and be completed in Spring 2024. The project requires preparation of an Environmental Assessment Worksheet in accordance with Minnesota Rules 4410.3200, Subp. 27 for stream diversions. City staff and AE2S have prepared the EAW document. The EAW is to be published and distributed to government agencies and noticed publicly in accordance with Minnesota Rules 4410.1500. Public notice includes publication in the Elk River Star News and posting on the City website. The EAW is also published by the Environmental Quality Board (EQB) via their website for public comment during a 30-day comment period. EQB notice of availability of the EAW will be published on 18 April 2023 with the comment period ending on 18 May 2023. At the close of the 30-day comment period, City staff will prepare responses to any comments that are received for consideration by the City Council. The City Council will also consider findings of fact as to whether the project has potential for significant environmental effects that would warrant consideration of an Environmental Impact Statement. City Council consideration of EAW comments and findings of fact regarding the project’s potential for significant environmental effects is likely to occur at the meeting on 22 May 2023. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS ATTACHED: ▪ Otsego Creek EAW (Not printed due to size) o Available at https://www.ci.otsego.mn.us/publicnotice POSSIBLE MOTION PLEASE WORD MOTION AS YOU WOULD LIKE IT TO APPEAR IN THE MINUTES: Motion to approve the Otsego Creek EAW for distribution and publication. BUDGET INFORMATION FUNDING: BUDGETED: N/A N/A