04-10-25 - Council Special Work Session Agenda

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CITY COUNCIL / CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING STAFF REPORT STAFF ORIGINATOR: Roberta Colotti, CIVIC, City Clerk MEETING DATE: April 10, 2025 TOPIC: Stormwater Utility INTRODUCTION At the January 9, 2025 Charter Commission meeting, Commissioner Trehus requested that the topic of the stormwater utility be added to the Joint Meeting agenda in April. He identified that residents with private wells and septic systems, receive an annual bill for stormwater management. BACKGROUND The City adopted a Stormwater Utility Fee in 2022. The rates have not changed since that time. Residential Rates Quarterly Base Rate Residential Fee $ 12 per Parcel Non -Residential Fee $175 per Acre of Impervious Surface ($12 Minium) If a property owner does not receive a quarterly water and sewer bill, they are invoiced for the stormwater utility fee annually ($48 for residential properties). The invoice is for the current calendar year and is typical mailed mid -April. Overview The storm water utility fee finances the cost of storm water management in a similar manner to water or sanitary sewer. The rate structure is based on the land use, parcel size, and total impervious coverage. For non-residential properties, the quarterly fee is based on the amount of impervious surface on a given property. All residential properties have the same quarterly fee. Basing this fee off impervious coverage and thus storm water runoff contribution makes the fee equitable. City staff spends numerous hours annually inspecting, maintaining, and repairing catch basins, storm sewer pipes, culverts, ponds, and other storm water treatment features. They also clean storm drains, sweep the streets, monitor active construction sites, and coordinate with other public agencies to ensure the system continues to function at a high level.