DEPARTMENT: Environmental Resources
FILE TYPE: Regular Action
TITLE
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Authorization To Execute Joint Powers Agreement With Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization For Enhanced Street Sweeping Study
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize the execution of a Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) between the Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization (VRWJPO) and Dakota County (County) to administer a Vermillion River Watershed Enhanced Street Sweeping Study.
SUMMARY
As a regulated entity under the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s (MPCA’s) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Program (MS4) General Permit, Dakota County currently is assigned eight Waste Load Allocations (WLAs) for various pollutants, four of which are located in, or associated with the Vermillion River Watershed. Under the MS4 General Permit, permittees are required to implement pollution-prevention measures to address pollutant loading sourced from stormwater discharges. One such mechanism to reduce pollutant loading from municipal operations is street sweeping.
Improved water quality from street sweeping is a topic of emerging research in the state of Minnesota. Studies highlight enhanced street sweeping programs as highly cost-effective, non-structural best management practices (BMPs) capable of removing large quantities of Total Phosphorus (TP) and Total Suspended Solids (TSS).
Enhanced street sweeping goes beyond standard sweeping by using more frequent schedules and higher-efficiency equipment to capture not only large debris like leaves and trash but also fine sediments that carry pollutants such as phosphorus, nitrogen, and metals. Enhanced sweeping is primarily implemented to improve water quality and help municipalities meet stormwater permit and regulatory requirements.
This study will evaluate Dakota County’s existing street sweeping program within the Vermillion River Watershed and analyze opportunities for improvement to achieve higher levels of pollutant load reductions in targeted sub-watersheds. Additionally, within the VRWJPO, there are ten entities regulated under the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s MPCA’s MS4 General Permit, which will benefit from the study through the Vermillion River Watershed’s participation.
Several watershed districts and MS4 communities across the State of Minnesota have invested in enhanced street sweeping studies to help prioritize geographic areas for targeted enhanced street sweeping, as it is one of the most cost-effective BMPs for phosphorus removal. Regulated MS4s within the VRWJPO are aware of such studies and have expressed interest in completing a VRWJPO enhanced street sweeping study (Study) to improve area water quality. The VRWJPO, in partnership with the County, proposes to complete the Study to provide regulated MS4s data needed to implement this cost-effective BMP and help achieve their Waste Load Allocations, a regulatory requirement mandated by the MPCA.
The VRWJPO plans to bring the JPA to their Board on September 25 for approval and execution.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff requests the County Board authorize the Physical Development Director to execute a JPA with the VRWJPO for the Study.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
The cost to complete the Study is $83,530. The VRWJPO and the County will each contribute $41,765 in 2026 to complete the Study. Funds are planned in the current 2026 Draft Environmental Resources Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for this study, which is solely funded by the Environmental Legacy Fund. Should the 2026 Draft CIP not be approved as currently proposed, the JPA has a clause written within it for the County to not participate in the study.
☐ None ☐ Current budget ☒ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, under the municipal Separate Storm Sewer Program (MS4) General Permit, Dakota County currently is assigned eight Waste Load Allocations (WLAs) for various pollutants, four of which are located in, or associated with, the Vermillion River Watershed; and
WHEREAS, under the MS4 General Permit, permittees are required to implement pollution-prevention measures to address pollutant loading sourced from stormwater discharges. One such mechanism to reduce pollutant loading from municipal operations is street sweeping; and
WHEREAS, studies are pointing to enhanced street sweeping programs as highly cost-effective, non-structural best management practices capable of removing large sources of Total Phosphorus (TP) and Total Suspended Solids (TSS); and
WHEREAS, watershed districts across the state of Minnesota have invested in enhanced street sweeping studies to prioritize geographic areas for targeted enhanced street sweeping; and
WHEREAS, regulated MS4s within the VRWJPO have expressed interest in completing a VRWJPO enhanced street sweeping study (Study) to improve water quality; and
WHEREAS, the VRWJPO and County have agreed to cooperatively fund the Study and have funding planned to do so in their respective budgets.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Physical Development Director to execute a joint powers agreement with the Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization for an enhanced street sweeping study.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: DCA23339 JPA-VRWJPO-Dakota County Street Sweeping Study - DRAFT
Attachment: Presentation Slides
BOARD GOALS
☐ Thriving People ☒ A Healthy Environment with Quality Natural Resources
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☐ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACT
Department Head: Nikki Stewart
Author: Cole Johnson