DEPARTMENT: Environmental Resources
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Appointment To Lower Minnesota River Watershed District Board Of Managers
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Appoint a Dakota County representative to the Lower Minnesota River Watershed District (LMRWD) Board of Managers.
SUMMARY
The LMRWD is located just south of the Twin Cities along the Minnesota River. Portions of the communities of Mendota Heights, Mendota, Lilydale, Eagan, and Burnsville are located within the LMRWD boundaries in Dakota County (see Attachment: Map of Dakota County portion of MLRWD). The LMRWD is a Special Purpose Unit of government formed under Minn. Stat. § 103D. Upon establishment, the LMRWD became a legal entity for providing local participation to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to construct a navigational channel. With this purpose in mind, a nine-foot navigation channel was developed from the mouth of the Minnesota River to mile 14.7 at Savage, Minnesota. Construction of the project began in 1966 and was completed in 1968. The LMRWD is still actively involved today with the maintenance of the channel and also works with local units of government, private citizens, and local organizations to provide strategic resource evaluation and management.
Patricia Mraz, the former Dakota County representative on the LMRWD Board of Managers, will no longer be serving due to a change of residence outside the LMRWD. Patricia Mraz’s change in residency created an appointment opportunity on the LMRWD Board of Managers for a Dakota County representative. The LMRWD and Dakota County collaborated in the recruitment of candidates for appointment and contacted former applicants to fill the position. One candidate applied and was determined eligible.
Minn. Stat. § 103D.311 maintains that a “person may not be appointed as a manager who: (1) is not a voting resident of the watershed district; and (2) is a public officer of the county, state, or federal government, except that a soil and water conservation supervisor may be a manager.” Theresa Kuplic applied to be appointed as Dakota County representative on the Board of Managers of the LMRWD and meets the eligibility requirements set forth in the statute.
Members of the LMRWD Board of Managers serve three-year terms. The current incumbent term for the member appointed to the LMRWD Board of Managers for Dakota County began February 28, 2021.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends appointment of Theresa Kuplic as the Dakota County Member of the Board of Managers for the LMRWD for the remainder of the incumbent term ending February 29, 2024.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, the Lower Minnesota River Watershed District (LMRWD) is located just south of the Twin Cities along the Minnesota River and includes portions of the communities of Mendota Heights, Mendota, Lilydale, Eagan, and Burnsville; and
WHEREAS, the previous Dakota County representative on the LMRWD Board of Managers resigned her position due to a change in residence outside of the Watershed; and
WHEREAS, the LMRWD and Dakota County collaborated in the recruitment of candidates for appointment; and
WHEREAS, one candidate applied and was determined eligible; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County staff discussed the appointment with the applicant; and
WHEREAS, Theresa Kuplic applied to Dakota County for potential appointment as the Dakota County Member of the Board of Managers for the LMRWD; and
WHEREAS, Theresa Kuplic meets the eligibility requirements set forth in Minn. Stat. § 103D.311; and
WHEREAS, staff recommends Theresa Kuplic be appointed to the Board of Managers for the LMRWD.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby appoints Theresa Kuplic to the Lower Minnesota River Watershed District Board of Managers for a term which expires February 29, 2024.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Map of Dakota County portion of LMRWD
BOARD GOALS
☐ A Great Place to Live ☐ A Healthy Environment
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☒ Excellence in Public Service
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT LEVEL
☐ Inform and Listen ☐ Discuss ☐ Involve ☒ N/A
CONTACT
Department Head: Nikki Stewart
Author: Mark Zabel