HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.14.2005• •
COUNCIL WORK SESSION
March 14, 2005
4:30 p.m.
Council Chambers
Members present: Mayor Hurley, Kincaid, Cole, Greenwood, Clark, Schmitt, Welper.
Members absent: Gunderson.
Moved by Welper, seconded by Kincaid that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Six.
Absent: Gunderson. Motion carried.
The purpose of the work session was to discuss the two proposed ordinances on tonight's council
agenda creating a Storm Water Management Authority.
Eric Thorson, City Engineer, stated that the city has been working with Ament Engineering and
the City of Cedar Falls, and Chris Wendland worked on the language for the ordinance. Mr.
Thorson stated there are costs associated with the Storm Water Management Program, and his
department has been doing as much in-house as possible, but they will need someone on staff
fairly soon. The Engineering Department has been doing public education and working with
other departments on the program. The city will have to come up with a funding source as they
have been using bond funds from other projects.
Jim Ellis, Ament Engineering, reviewed the proposed ordinances. There are two ordinances on
tonight's council agenda, and four total ordinances will need to be approved by the council
concerning the Storm Water Management Program. The first ordinance gives definition of the
program, authority and ability of council to set fees and decide what the fees could be used for.
The second ordinance is directed at illicit discharge of storm water as it relates to what is legal or
illegal to put into the system, what to do if there is illegal discharge, and fines, etc. The third
ordinance will deal with construction site erosion and the fourth ordinance will deal with post
construction erosion control. Mr. Ellis reported that Cedar Falls is on a little different schedule,
but Elk Run Heights and Raymond are following along with the same ordinances and are ready
to approve them. Mr. Ellis noted that the construction site ordinances deal with stabilizing
construction entrances, inland protection and reviewing the site before and after construction to
make sure everything is in place. The USPA is in charge of the program nationwide and the
Iowa Department of Natural Resources has authority in Iowa. Cities with population over
100,000 were required to have their programs in place by 1990, and cities under 100,000 were
required to submit a notice of intent by March 10, 2003.
Councilperson Clark asked if fees will be consistent with the other cities. Mr. Thorson
responded he believes so because fees have been discussed and other cities are interested in
establishing fees.
Mr. Thorson reported the ordinances was developed using federal documents and looking at
ordinances from the larger cities. Mr. Thorson stated that Code Enforcement Officers, Waste
Management Services and the Engineering office will monitor for compliance. Violation of the
ordinances will result in a municipal infraction. Mr. Thorson stated that the city has already
implemented the plan for developers during the plan review and when we are working on city
property. Currently, a permit must be submitted to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources,
and when the plan is in place the permit will be issued through the Engineering Department.
Mr. Thorson stated there has been discussion on what to base a fee on for city residents. Mr.
Thorson reported that Carroll, Iowa has adopted a fee schedule using a fix amount, with residents
paying a lower amount than commercial and industrial users. Basing the fee on the amount of
water usage or square footage has been discussed. A fee schedule will be brought back to the
council for approval.
Councilperson Welper stated that he received a call today from a resident who feels the city is
moving too fast and asked about washing cars in driveways. Mr. Thorson responded that cities
the size of Waterloo won't prohibit washing cars in driveways for a long time, and he doesn't
think the Iowa Department of Natural Resources will require that. Mr. Thorson stated that we
Council Work Session
March 14, 2005
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will be looking at the mud coming off the trucks onto the streets. Mr. Thorson stated he feels
that developers will try not to disturb the area so much and leave the vegetation when they are
developing a site.
Mayor Hurley reported that the ordinance does exempt residential or non-commercial washing of
vehicles.
Councilperson Greenwood asked if the city is presently measuring the types of pollutants in
storm water runoff. Mr. Thorson responded the Iowa Department of Natural indicates in its
permits what the city needs to look at, and they have eight different chemicals and oil that they
monitor. The city is currently required to take measurements in the spring, summer and fall.
This testing will set the base for the city and over time the city should see improvement.
Councilperson Greenwood asked if the storm sewer system is paid by sanitary fees. Mr. Thorson
responded that most new storm systems are installed by the developers. When it is a city
development, we use Local Option Tax funds or bond funds.
Mr. Thorson reported that the city has mailed out one educational brochure to residents and a
second brochure will be mailed at the end of March. In addition, staff will be talking with
neighborhood associations and listing items on the city's website to help with education of the
public on the Storm Water Management Program. Staff recently spoke with the Homebuilders
Association.
With no further business before the council, it was moved by Welper, seconded by Kincaid that
the meeting be adjourned at 4:52 p.m. Ayes: Six. Absent: Gunderson. Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk
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