Laserfiche WebLink
<br />I <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />Council Meeting Minutes <br />September 27, 1994 <br /> <br />Page 3 <br /> <br />Council Business <br /> <br />Benke requested that Council receive the staff report, Establishment of a Stormwater <br />Utility, but not take formal action. Because the agenda listed this item incorrectly <br />as a Stormwater Drainage Plan and feedback has been received, additional time is <br />needed before Council action. <br /> <br />Civil Engineer I, Brian Olson, presented for consideration the Stormwater Utility <br />Plan. <br /> <br />Several metro communities have already established some form of stormwater <br />utility. A stormwater utility is similar to a sanitary sewer utility and involves fees <br />for the collection and management of storm runoff. Each household or business <br />would pay based on what the property produces in runoff rather than the property <br />value. <br /> <br />Currently, nearly 50% of the cost for managing stormwater is collected from single <br />family homeowner property taxes. A stormwater utility would reduce that cost <br />share to about 35 % . <br /> <br />A stormwater utility maintenance fund would finance: administration and planning <br />for projects that increase water quality or effectiveness of existing storm sewer <br />systems; maintenance of pipes, ponds and ditches; removal of weeds and sediment <br />in lakes and ponds to increase water quality or storage capacity; enhance wetlands to <br />increase water quality and retard flow; and replace existing systems in disrepair or <br />inadequately sized for current and future conditions. Currently, the maintenance <br />items are financed from the tax levy and reconstruction projects through <br />assessments. A stormwater utility fund would eliminate assessments and decrease <br />funds required to maintain an aging system. <br /> <br />The basis for a stormwater utility fee is the land classification and acreage. Because <br />development of single family residential land was similar regardless of parcel size, a <br />single rate is used. Unimproved vacant lots will not be charged because they do not <br />produce additional runoff. Another exception would be public right-of-ways and <br />land owned and maintained by the City. Calculations of runoff and the percentage <br />of impervious surface was performed for each land classification. Olson stated the <br />proposed quarterly stormwater utility rates for each property classification. <br /> <br />An important element of the utility fund is the credit system. Three reasons for <br />receiving credits are: significantly less development, increasing water quality, and <br />decreasing runoff. Staff determined criteria for each of these reasons. <br /> <br />Olson noted a runoff evaluation performed for common types of City residential <br />lots. It was determined that the small amount of difference found between the lots <br />does not justify a two tier rate. The extra costs to administer a two tier residential <br />fate would not be cost effective. <br /> <br />Olson noted Project 92-2, Oakwood Drive Storm Sewer Improvement, is a past <br />project that could be impacted by this plan. Because the fund would had completely <br />financed this project, it is recommended the City reimburse these residents and <br />cancel the remaining levied assessments if the plan is adopted. City Attorney <br />Charlie LeFevere confirmed that the reimbursement could be performed. <br /> <br />Council Business <br /> <br />Stormwater Utility <br />Plan <br />Report 94-221 <br />