The meeting focused on the city's Municipal Stormwater (MS4) Program, which operates under federal Clean Water Act requirements and requires annual permits from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Dodge explained that the program ensures construction and development activities don't pollute state waters. The city maintains 236 stormwater management facilities, 113 miles of storm sewer lines, and over 1,400 catch basins.

In 2021, the city issued 172 notices of violation for erosion and sediment control violations at construction sites, reflecting significant building activity. Staff conduct weekly inspections of construction sites larger than one acre and follow-up inspections after major rainstorms. The city also identified one illicit discharge and issued a notice of violation requiring cleanup. For the Northwest Area—a 3,000-acre region with natural basins—the city enforces stricter stormwater requirements (2.6 inches) compared to the rest of the city (1 inch) to protect these sensitive areas.

The city educates residents through newsletter articles reaching over 36,000 residents and partners with Dakota County on "Landscaping for Clean Water" workshops. Staff receive annual training on stormwater management, and the city inspects its own operations, including parks and salt stockpiles, to prevent pollution.

Residents asked about potential volunteer programs for lake cleanup and vegetation maintenance, as well as collaboration with the Department of Natural Resources on lake species testing. The city acknowledged funding limitations prevent establishing these programs currently but confirmed it actively enforces contractor compliance, including issuing stop-work orders for non-compliance. Future goals include developing a televising program for infrastructure management, pursuing stormwater grants, and improving the Capital Improvement Plan to identify additional funding sources.