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Council hears MS4 stormwater presentation; members voice concern over costs as an unfunded mandate
Summary
At the Nov. 17 meeting, staff opened the annual MS4 public input meeting and explained it is required under the NPDES general permit administered by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Council members questioned program costs and noted funding falls to the city rather than the state.
City staff opened the required annual public meeting on the MS4 (municipal separate storm sewer system) program at the St. Francis City Council meeting on Nov. 17. Craig, the staff presenter, said the MS4 program is required by the NPDES general permit and administered by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency; it authorizes the city's discharge of stormwater and requires ongoing program work and reporting.
Craig said the purpose of the annual meeting was to gather public input on the city's program and invited comments; the public portion was opened at about 6:09 p.m. No one from the public spoke during that initial opening, and the public portion was closed shortly afterward. Council members then asked staff questions about the program's cost and administrative burden.
Council member Kevin asked whether the permit carries a direct fee beyond filing paperwork. Craig replied that the MS4 permit itself does not impose a simple per-year fee, but the program generates staff time and operational costs that the city bears. Councilors characterized the program as an "unfunded mandate," noting that requirements such as inspections and reporting create recurring work and expense. During the exchange, a separate construction-related NPDES permit (for projects that disturb more than one acre) was identified as a distinct program that carries a per-project fee of roughly $400.
A resident, Monty Oak, later asked how much the MS4 program costs the city annually. Staff directed him to contact Paul via the city website; Paul offered to follow up by email with cost details. The meeting transcript did not include a staff-provided, city-wide annual cost figure at the time of the meeting.
Council members requested that staff continue to provide clarity on program costs and funding; no formal vote or budget appropriation was recorded in this meeting regarding MS4 funding.
