HomeMy WebLinkAbout01.27.2003COUNCIL WORK SESSION
January 27, 2003
4:30 p.m.
Council Chambers
Members present: Mayor Rooff, Kincaid, Welper, Greenwood, Clark, Jordan, Hurley, Getty.
Moved by Jordan, seconded by Welper that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes:
Seven. Motion carried.
Eric Thorson, City Engineer, reviewed Phase II of the Storm Water Management Program. The
document has been developed to allow the city to be in compliance with the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System permit requirements. City
staff has worked in conjunction with the cities of Cedar Falls, Elk Run Heights, Gilbertville and
Ament Engineering, Inc. to develop the Notice of Intent to be as consistent as possible to avoid
problems in the administration of the rules and regulations. The document must be submitted to
the Iowa Department of Natural Resources no later than March 10, 2003. Working as an ad -hock
committee, the committee feels the Notice of Intent will meet all requirements set forth by the
EPA and will still be practical, cost effective and consistent.
Jim Ellis, Ament, Inc., reported that the Phase II regulation is federally mandated. It was handed
down from the federal level to the state level to the DNR. Phase I affected cities with
populations over 100,000. All other cities were waived until March 10, 2003. All cities with a
population of less than 100,000 have to submit a Notice of Intent in order to receive a five year
permit. Mr. Ellis reported that the document contains the following best management practices:
public education and outreach, public participation and involvement, illicit discharge detection
and elimination, construction site erosion and sediment control, post -construction storm water
management in new development or re -development and pollution prevention and good
housekeeping in municipal operations.
Mr. Ellis reported that after March 10, 2003, the city proceeds with the five year implementation
stages. After five years, the Department of Natural Resources evaluates the program and then the
permit can be renewed. The program is developed individually for each city. The main reason
for the program is to look at construction site discharge. The cost for the program will be pushed
to years two through five. The costs are great enough that most cities eventually enact a storm
water management fee. The costs include: training, staff time, capital improvements, etc. Mr.
Ellis suggested that the city not enact a special fund, but to put off the fee as long as possible.
Mr. Thorson stated that Waterloo is working closely with Cedar Falls to make the program
consistent throughout the Cedar Valley. Mr. Thorson is unsure if the city will need a full-time or
part-time person, and there is the possibility of sharing a staff person with Cedar Falls. Mr.
Thorson stated the Notice of Intent will be submitted to the DNR and they will look at all the
programs before they approve any applications. It could be late spring or early summer before
the city hears back from the DNR. Mr. Thorson stated he does not want to establish a storm
water utility until we know what the costs will be. Mr. Thorson stated we should be able to
handle the cost in-house for FY04.
In answer to a question from Councilperson Hurley, Mr. Ellis reported that impaired water body
is when the water is not being used for purposes the DNR thinks it should be used or if there is
too high chemicals in the water.
Mr. Ellis reported that this is a federally mandated program. After the Notice of Intent has been
submitted if the city does not hear anything within 30 days, the city's permit is automatically
approved. If the city does not submit the Notice of Intent, the city will receive a notice of
violation and will have to pay $10,000 to $25,000 per day fine. Mr. Ellis stated that all best
management practices made part of the Notice of Intent must be followed.
Mr. Thorson reported the Notice of Intent will be forwarded to the city council for approval in
two weeks.
With no further business before the council, it was moved by Getty, seconded by Clark that the
meeting be adjourned at 5:03 p.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk