TITLE: Title
Consideration of Town Code Amendment Creating a Stormwater Advisory Commission
PURPOSE: The purpose of this item is for the Board to consider an amendment to Chapter 3 of the Carrboro Town Code that would create a permanent resident advisory commission to assist in its stormwater management efforts.
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DEPARTMENT: Town Manager’s Office, Planning Department, Public Works Department
CONTACT INFORMATION: Nate Broman-Fulks, Assistant to the Town Manager, nbroman-fulks@townofcarrboro.org <mailto:nbroman-fulks@townofcarrboro.org>, 919-918-7314; Patricia McGuire, Planning, Zoning, and Inspections Director, pmcguire@townofcarrboro.org <mailto:pmcguire@townofcarrboro.org>; Anita Jones-McNair, Acting Public Works Director and Recreation and Parks Director, amcnair@townofcarrboro.org <mailto:amcnair@townofcarrboro.org>
INFORMATION: Carrboro has and continues to implement stormwater management activities to remain a leader in environmental health, comply with state and federal regulations on water quality and quantity, and respond to resident needs. Carrboro’s Vision 2020 states “Carrboro should be proactive in managing its stormwater, promoting active maintenance of facilities, reducing impacts of increased impervious surface, and minimizing impacts on waterways”.
Since the creation of Vision 2020, the Town has seen an increase in the frequency and severity of storms, leading to higher levels of stormwater impact on residences and existing infrastructure. During this same period, state and federal mandates requiring new and increased levels of stormwater management practices have been created. The Town’s current stormwater responsibilities and activities act on behalf of the community’s environmental values, react to state and federal requirements, and respond to residents’ needs.
Due to state and federal mandates and the increased impact of storms, the need for stormwater management activities has increased. The Town is responding to these needs. The possible creation of a permanent resident advisory board for stormwater, entitled Stormwater Advisory Commission (SWAC), is one step in the Town’s response.
At the June 6, 2017 Board of Aldermen meeting, staff presented a timeline for actions related to stormwater management. Approving the creation of the Commission will serve to accomplish Activity 3. Below is an update on the stormwater timeline for year one that was presented to the Board that night.
Implementation Plan - Year 1: July 2017 - June 2018
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Activity |
Update |
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1. Create Stormwater Management Utility |
The Utility was created and funded in this year’s budget. |
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2. Advertise and hire Stormwater Utility Manager |
The Town is currently advertising the position and accepting applications. |
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3. Create a permanent resident advisory commission |
For the Board’s consideration at this meeting. |
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4. Present permanent service delivery and funding structure options to the Board |
Options will be brought to the Board after the Stormwater Utility Manager and SWAC establish them. |
If the Board pursues the creation of the SWAC, the SWAC’s charge would include stormwater related work that the Environmental Advisory Board (EAB) has had in their powers and duties. In order to avoid confusion and clarify the powers and duties of the two commissions, an amendment to the EAB’s administrative mechanisms specified in the Land Use Ordinance is needed. Staff has prepared a draft ordinance (Attachment D) that can be scheduled for advisory board review and public hearing; a resolution setting a hearing for October 24th is attached.
Board Consideration
Staff asks the Board to consider the draft Carrboro Stormwater Advisory Commission Charter found in Attachment A. If the Board wishes to create this commission, it may do so by approving Attachment B, “An Ordinance Amending Chapter 3 of the Carrboro Town Code to Establish a Carrboro Stormwater Advisory Commission”.
If the Board approves the ordinance in Attachment B, staff asks the Board to consider approving the resolution in Attachment C setting a public hearing date for the consideration of an amendment to the Land Use Ordinance to modify the powers and duties of the Environmental Advisory Board.
FISCAL & STAFF IMPACT: Staff will serve as a non-voting liaison to the commission.
RECOMMENDATION:r Staff recommends the Board consider the draft charter for a Carrboro Stormwater Advisory Commission. If the Board wishes to create this commission, it may do so by approving attachment B, “An Ordinance Amending Chapter 3 of the Carrboro Town Code to Establish a Carrboro Stormwater Advisory Commission,” and approving Attachment C, a resolution setting a public hearing on a Land Use Ordinance Text Amendment to clarify the purview of the Environmental Advisory Board.