CITY COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM

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Department:

Municipal Services & Operations

Commission Meeting Date:  August 7, 2018

Staff Contact:

Matt Bond, P.E., Stormwater Engineer

Recommendations/Options/Action Requested:

Adopt on first reading, Ordinance No. 9555, amending City Code Section 16-504, adjusting the rate for the stormwater system drainage charge.

Executive Summary:

Ordinance No. 9555 amends City Code Section 16-504 and adjusts the rate for the stormwater utility, increasing three percent (3%) per year until year 2021 as part of a five-year funding plan. Stormwater fees are charged by the equivalent residential unit (ERU). The rate per ERU will increase $0.13 per month, or $1.56 per year. The current ERU rate is $4.24 per month. An ERU represents 2,366 square feet of impervious surface (roof, pavement). All parcels of land in Lawrence are subject to this rate charge, including City and other tax-exempt properties.  A 2017-2023 forecast of revenues and expenditures for the Stormwater Utility Fund is included in the 2019 Budget, page 73.

 

The increase in revenue supports upcoming priority stormwater projects planned in the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) which include the following:

 

  • 13th and Brook drainage improvement
  • Naismith Drainage Channel
  • 17th and Alabama drainage improvement
  • Concrete channel west of Arrowhead, Princeton to Peterson
  • 19th Street, Maple Lane to Brook Street

 

In addition to funding the above CIP, the stormwater utility supports an engineer, an administrative position, an inspector, and a maintenance and operation crew.  The storm sewer network comprises of approximately 7,200 structures, 16 miles of open channel, 160 miles of storm sewer pipe, and four storm water pump stations. A video inspection program began in late October 2017, and it is anticipated that previously unknown maintenance issues with the storm sewer system will be discovered. With this proactive approach to maintenance, these issues will need to be repaired or replaced.  The additional revenue from the proposed rate increase will be key to funding these efforts. To date, approximately 55,000 linear feet of a storm sewer has been inspected out of a total of nearly 850,000 linear feet.  The fund also supports the street maintenance program for a portion of curb replacement.  

Strategic Plan Critical Success Factor

Safe, Healthy, and Welcoming Neighborhoods

Innovative Infrastructure and Asset Management

Core Services

Sound Fiscal Stewardship

Fiscal Impact (Amount/Source):

The fiscal impact to the City will be an increase in revenue generated by the 2019 rate increase for stormwater management fees of three percent per equivalent residential unit (ERU), to a rate of $4.37 in fiscal year 2019. The fee increase will generate approximately $107,000 in additional revenue.

Attachments:

Ordinance No. 9555

Project Descriptions

 

Reviewed By:

(for CMO use only)

☐TM

☐DS

☐CT

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