AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Receive a Staff presentation and hold a Public Hearing to receive comments for or against Ordinance 2020-41, amending Chapter 86, Article 8, Division 1 and 2 of the San Marcos City Code to, among other things, change the rate structure of the Stormwater Utility to an impervious basis for all customer classes, and to update provisions regarding the maintenance and repair of structural controls in connection with the municipal separate Storm Sewer System (MS4); including procedural provisions; providing for the repeal of any conflicting provisions; and providing an effective date and consider approval of Ordinance 2020-41, on the first of two readings.
Body
Meeting date: June 2, 2020
Department: Engineering / CIP
Amount & Source of Funding
Funds Required: 0
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Fiscal Note:
Prior Council Action: Council workshop on February 4, 2020
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Sustainability
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Background Information:
The City of San Marcos implemented a Drainage Utility fee in 1999. The drainage (stormwater) utility fee is a funding source for drainage capital improvement projects, the operation and maintenance of the City’s drainage infrastructure (pipes, channels, detention and water quality facilities) to reduce flooding, improve water quality, and maintain regulatory compliance of our municipal separate stormwater system (MS4).
In 2018 the City started a study to update and explore potential stormwater utility rate structures and requirements, with a goal to establish financial framework for more equitable and sustainable funding program. The study considered the determination of impervious cover for each parcel and an evaluation of existing billing accounts and parcel matching. Study recommendations included a revised stormwater utility rate structure and changes to the billing system. The study also included the development of a stormwater program cost analysis (rate model) and an update to the stormwater utility ordinance. Recommended stormwater rate classifications considered the following:
• New Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) value = 2,575 square feet
• Residential Class (R1, R2 and R3)
• Non-Residential Class (NR)
• Exemptions (City and Texas State University parcels)
• Residential parcels with 1-4 units
• Residential parcels with 5+units
• Non-Residential (former Commercial and Multi-Family)
In addition, as part of the maintenance and repair of pollution prevention structure controls, an amendment is proposed regarding the inspections of structure controls from an annual basis to occurring once every three years.
To implement recommended changes regarding the stormwater utility fee and inspections of the pollution prevention structures will require amending the following Ordinance.
ORDINANCE; Chapter 86 - Utilities, Article 8 - Stormwater Utility
Division 1 - Stormwater Utility Fee. The ordinance amends the overall rate structure of the utility to an impervious basis for all customer classes, stormwater codes, the relationship between the 3 residential tiers, the equivalent residential unit (ERU), among other minor changes.
Division 2 - Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4). The ordinance amends the section regarding the maintenance and repair of structural controls.
These amendments will be effective on October 1, 2020.
Council Committee, Board/Commission Action:
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Alternatives:
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Recommendation:
Staff recommends for approval