HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.27.2004•
COUNCIL WORK SESSION
May 27, 2004
9:00 a.m.
Council Chambers
Members present: Mayor Hurley, Kincaid, Cole, Clark, Schmitt, Gunderson, Welper.
Members absent: Greenwood.
Also present: Mayor Jon Crews, John Paige, Councilperson Stan Smith, Jim Ellis.
Moved by Welper, seconded by Gunderson that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes:
Six. Absent: Greenwood. Motion carried.
Eric Thorson, City Engineer, reported that the cities of Waterloo, Cedar Falls, Raymond and Elk
Run Heights are working together on developing and designing a stormwater management
program to improve the quality of water in Iowa lakes and streams.
Mr. Thorson introduced Patricia Sauer, Environmental Scientist for Iowa Association of
Municipal Utilities. Ms. Sauer gave a power point presentation on NPDES Stormwater
Requirements for Phase II MS-4 cities. Ms. Sauer's presentation included the requirements, the
shift in the stormwater paradigm, suggestions for building effective stormwater programs,
statewide effort developing stormwater programs and how cities can finance stormwater
management programs, including stormwater utility fees.
Sediment is one of the pollutants of great concern in Iowa. Sediment comes from soil that is not
protected from erosional forces of water during rain storms. Contributors of sediment are
construction sites with little or no erosion and sediment control and agricultural fields that are
improperly managed, including poor tillage practices, low residue, and poor stream bank
protection. Sediment causes cloudiness in water that is harmful to fish and vegetation. Sediment
carries fertilizer and pathogens harmful to fish and humans. Other contaminants in stormwater
runoff include: motor vehicle fluids, street salt, fertilizers, pathogens and thermal pollution.
Sediment or eroded soil contaminants pollute rivers and lakes. Sediment runoff from
construction sites are typically ten to twenty times greater than agricultural lands.
The National Stormwater Program is a federally mandated program for all states resulting from
the amendments to the Clean Water Act. Effective March 2003 Phase II impacts cities with
specific populations and/or discharge to an impaired water body. The cities must have a
stormwater plan and permit for discharges and any construction activity of one acre or more of
soil disturbances. Phase II includes 41 MS-4 cities, two universities and anyone disturbing one
acre or more of soil. The regulations are enforced by IDNR Field and Central Offices and the
Environmental Protection Agency.
All cities have submitted their Notice of Intent and Stormwater Management Plans to the Iowa
Department of Natural Resources. Permits have been issued to Iowa State University,
Bettendorf and Waterloo.
The shift in the stormwater paradigm is shifting to management of water quality with regard to
flood management and water quality and the connection between land use and water quality.
Cities still need to manage for flood control, low frequency high intensity storms, but will need
to consider different management strategies for low intensity high frequency storms. The new
paradigm includes trapping water on —site, infiltrating, using vegetation adapted to improving
infiltration and post construction infiltration based BMPs, with low impact development.
Six minimum control measures in permit are: construction site erosion and sediment control,
post construction, low impact development to reduce the amount of impervious surface, public
education, public involvement, illicit discharge detection and elimination and good
housekeeping.
Suggestions for construction site erosion and sediment control include requiring review of
Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPP) when developer approaches city for approval of
Council Work Session
May 27, 2004
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development. The plans must be a combination of a narrative describing the timing and
installation of Best Management Practices and plan sheets showing the location of the Best
Management Practices.
Cities will need to determine the Best Management Practices to be used such as silt fences, rock
checks, channel protection, temporary ponding, access protection, inlet protection, dewatering
plan, protected areas, soil and stock areas.
Additional program suggested for construction sites include: requiring escrow accounts for
construction sites in case of unforeseen issues; requiring evidence of SWPP and general permit
from IDNR when issuing building permits; conducting inspections of sites; work with IDNR
field staff, and require those take out building permit to view short video on erosion and
sediment control. During post construction cities need to look at retrofits, adapting existing
infrastructure to manage water quality, rain gardens, rain barrels and green roofs.
A successful program and permit requirement involves information and education along with
public participation. Issues that will require public education are: creation of stormwater utility,
erosion and sediment control ordinances, post construction ordinances, illicit discharge
ordinances and stream buffer ordinances. Information/education includes informing municipal
officials, citizens, developers and contractors, industries and students from K-12 and college age.
Information could include brochures, website and public meetings.
Cities can finance stormwater management programs through taxes and/or user fees. User fees
are more equitable. Advantages to a stormwater utility are stable and adequate funding which
provides flexibility and are more equitable. Considerations when developing a stormwater utility
include: needs and goals, priorities and objectives, rate analysis, costs, organizational structure
and implementation of the utility. Rates could be based on percent of impervious area,
impervious area and gross area, gross area with intensity of development, flat rates, zoning,
residential, commercial, industrial and others. The fee could be billed using current utility
billing or a separate billing system.
It was suggested that the city re-evaluate its mowing of weeds/grass in ditches to help with
retention of water.
Mr. Thorson distributed copies of Waterloo's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
(NPDES) Permit. Mr. Thorson stated that ordinances will have to be in place over the next three
years. The cities are concentrating on having like ordinances so that regulations are uniform.
The city has spent about $8,500.00 to Ament Engineering for engineering services in conjunction
with the NPDES Permit.
With no further business before the council, it was moved by Welper, seconded by Cole that the
meeting be adjourned at 10:24 p.m. Ayes: Six. Absent: Greenwood. Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk
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