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Council discusses Isanti Hills rain gardens; leans toward homeowner‑led installation with modest incentives
Summary
Council members reviewed stormwater recommendations for the Isanti Hills rehabilitation project and discussed how to fund proposed rain gardens. The city engineer identified up to 17 potential rain garden locations; the council leaned toward a homeowner‑led approach with limited city incentives rather than full city funding.
Council members reviewed stormwater recommendations for the Isanti Hills rehabilitation project and discussed how to fund proposed rain gardens. The city engineer identified up to 17 potential rain garden locations; the council leaned toward a homeowner‑led approach with limited city incentives rather than full city funding.
Why it matters: Rain gardens are intended to retain stormwater on site, reduce runoff into the stormwater system and filter pollutants. Council members asked whether the installations would help with MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) compliance and whether cost‑share or incentives are available through conservation partners.
Staff described two options for rain garden installations: 1) the city pays under stormwater management (not assessable) or 2) the property owner installs a rain garden and uses the city’s rain garden incentive program, which currently provides up to $500 per project. Council members asked the engineer for estimated installation costs; one speaker recalled a rough figure of about $6,700 per garden but staff said hard numbers would be obtained.
Anoka County soil/soil and water conservation representatives had identified roughly 17 candidate sites where rain gardens would have the most benefit. Speakers noted the city’s sandy soils can both soak water quickly and allow sediment or pollutants to move into the drainage system; rain gardens are intended to slow infiltration and increase filtration.
Council consensus was to treat installations as homeowner‑led with possible incentive support; staff will prepare cost estimates and be ready to discuss the program at the upcoming open house. Council plans to continue the discussion and expects staff to return with cost details at the April 1 meeting.
Ending: Staff will get installation cost estimates for rain gardens at the identified sites, confirm available external incentives, and present the information at the open house and at the April 1 council meeting.
