TITLE: Title
Stormwater Update and Service Delivery Report
PURPOSE: The purposes of this item are to: provide a report on stormwater activities and service delivery; request approval of a pilot outreach project in the upper Toms Creek watershed; and request direction to report back on the new revenue needed for increases in service delivery.
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DEPARTMENT: Public Works, Town Attorney
CONTACT INFORMATION: Randy Dodd, Stormwater Utility Manager, 919 918-7341; Joe Guckavan, Public Works Director, 919 918-7427; Nick Herman, Town Attorney, 919 630-1204
INFORMATION: A monthly report on program activities has been prepared that identifies 15 separate projects and initiatives that Stormwater staff are involved in. Noteworthy efforts include: preliminary engineering for the stream restoration project at Public Works and a culvert replacement on Broad Street; coordination with the State and FEMA for Public Assistance funding for these projects and damage recovery from Hurricane Florence; an outreach session and initiation of an engineering assessment in the upper Toms Creek watershed; and pursuit of the next steps for new FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds for residential acquisition and elevation projects. The attached report provides additional information on these and other efforts.
Since the adoption of a rate structure in June, 2018, the Stormwater program has been transitioning from a formative stage to an operational stage. Staff have prepared a staff memo to document the historical, current and planned increasing services, and expanded service options that the Town may wish to provide. The current program capacity is founded on a little over $800k of annual revenue, and two full time dedicated FTEs. Since the revenue dedicated for stormwater services has only been in place for one year, there are currently limited capital reserves to draw on.
Three service delivery options are offered going forward: one to continue as currently proceeding, and two with expanded/accelerated services that will require additional revenue. Stormwater staff recommend that the Board direct staff to report back by early 2020 with additional details on expanded/accelerated services and the associated revenue requirements. A relevant memo is also provided from the Town Attorney regarding constraints for the Town’s extension of stormwater services for private property.
An additional recommendation is that the Town pursue contractual support from the Center for Neighborhood Technology for a pilot residential project in the upper Toms Creek watershed based on their “RainReady” program. The Center for Neighborhood Technology is a nonprofit that has been providing national level leadership in the development of a range of neighborhood scale resiliency, sustainability, and green infrastructure programs. Their proposal for this work is included as an attachment.
FISCAL & STAFF IMPACT: There is no impact with receiving this report. The proposed pilot outreach project with the Center for Neighborhood Technology will cost $25k, and will involve some staff time for coordination.
RECOMMENDATION:r It is recommended that the Board adopt the attached resolution receiving the staff report, directing staff to report back by early 2020, and approving the neighborhood pilot project.