Albemarle County Stormwater Utility Implementation Advisory Panel. June 13, 2017

Transcription

1 Albemarle County Stormwater Utility Implementation Advisory Panel June 13, 2017

2 Today s Agenda Background Advisory panel role Community engagement planning Update on County water resources program Utility components and development process Key milestones Future meeting schedule 2

3 Background October 7, 2015 Committee recommendations presented to the Board May 5, 2016 Updates to TMDL cost assumptions based on approved Chesapeake Bay TMDL Action Plan September 7, 2016 Board work session Affirmed level of service represented in the 10-year Program Plan Supported moving forward with establishing a stormwater utility 3

4 Advisory Panel Role Continue to represent stakeholder interests while also thinking from a County-wide perspective Advisory to staff, not Board appointed (no formal report-out to Board) Discussions will inform development of rate structure and credit policy: County staff will begin with brainstorming sessions Panel members will provide feedback/reactions Assist with community engagement process Focus on why and what to expect rather than if 4

5 Community Engagement Planning Emily Kilroy 5

6 Community Engagement Focus Areas Aligned with key milestones: Fiscal planning process/budget in fall/winter Board ordinance adoption April First bill distributed to customers in November Online Webpage What s my fee look-up tool Video In-person Listening sessions Community Advisory Committee meetings Farm Bureau, Ruritan, Chamber, Parent Council Media briefing 6

7 Updated Water Resources Program Greg Harper 7

8 Updated Water Resources Program New staffing Mandates MS4 Program inspection by DEQ Status of Chesapeake Bay TMDL program Grey infrastructure Infrastructure mapping July 5 th Board work session Green infrastructure Small watershed restoration project 8

9 Utility Components and Development Process David Bulova 9

10 Key Utility Elements GIS/Mapping Rate Structure and Credit Policy Ordinance Master Account File/Billing Mechanism Customer Service 10

11 GIS/Mapping Detailed evaluation of parcel and planimetric data: Impervious cover, land use, and property data Stormwater facilities data Identification of exclusions: Public road ROWs (VDOT) Other MS4s (UVA, VDOT, and Piedmont Virginia CC) Boundary issues with Albemarle and Charlottesville solved by MS4 exclusion City of Charlottesville, School Board, and jointly owned properties (per Code of Virginia and revenue sharing agreement) Exclusion of County-owned properties is a remaining policy issue 11

12 GIS/Mapping Issues Athletic field under-capture 12

13 GIS/Mapping Issues Driveways/parking lots versus roads 13

14 GIS/Mapping Issues Building footprint under/over capture 14

15 GIS/Mapping Issues Land use classification clean-up 15

16 Rate Structure Many issues have already been addressed: Based on 500 SF impervious area County-wide Some larger policy issues remain: Potential exclusion of driveways Inclusion/exclusion of County properties Preference on rate volatility/stability Other issues? Most are technical: Inflation factors Impervious area growth factors Cash on hand and minimum fund balance Reserve policy (operating and capital) Rounding Debt policy and debt service Other sources of revenue Lickinghole Creek Basin 16

17 Rate Structure Exclusion of driveways for SFR properties 17

18 Preliminary Impact of SFR Driveway Exclusion Land Use Type SFR Detached w/ Driveways SFR Detached w/o Driveways SFR Attached w/ Driveways SFR Attached w/o Driveways Parcels Total Impervious Area Average Impervious Area # of Billing Units (500 SF) 25, ,128,019 7, , ,835 73,659,833 2, , ,493 3,598,752 2,410 7, ,493 2,432,873 1,630 4,855 3 Average # of Billing Units 18

19 Credit Policy Acknowledges that on-site stormwater infrastructure can reduce the long-term cost of public stormwater services. A credit is not a reimbursement program. Credit systems can be very simple reactively recognize investments made by property owners. To more complicated designed to incentivize voluntary installation of stormwater management enhancements. Regardless, there must be a verifiable benefit. A stormwater utility is a fee for service. 19

20 Credit Policy Considerations Administration how important is it to minimize the County s administrative burden (simple versus complicated)? Validation some practices require more effort to validate effectiveness. Availability who is eligible to participate? Differentiation Water quality versus quantity? Efficiency? Voluntary versus regulatory? Supporting goals? State permitted facilities should properties with a state stormwater industrial permit be given credit? Enforcement what is the process for eliminating credit if facility is not maintained? Cap what is the maximum credit; should there be a minimum fee?

21 Master Account File/Billing 21

22 Ordinance Purpose and Authority Definitions Establishment of Fee/Exemptions Establishment of Enterprise Fund Fee Calculation Methodology Fee Credits Billing and Enforcement Appeals and Adjustments 22

23 Customer Service Web-based mapping tool. Staff training on common customer issues and how to handle them. Simple, straightforward appeals process. 23

24 Key Milestones and Timing Greg Harper and David Bulova 24

25 Key Milestones and Timing Working Backward from First Bill Due-Date May 2017 County Staff Kick-Off June Advisory Panel Kick-Off; Staff Brainstorming on Rate and Credit Policies July 5 th Board Update; Focus on Stormwater Program July and August Advisory Panel Meetings on Rate Structure September Board Strategic Work Plan Session on Utility September and October Advisory Panel Meetings on Credit Policy December Advisory Panel Meeting on Draft Ordinance 25

26 Key Milestones and Timing Budget Process with Advertised Rate April 2018 Adopt Ordinance May 2018 Adopt Budget May 2018 Master Account File Compilation Process June 2018 Begin Utility-Focused Communications Plan May 2019 First Bill Distributed June 2019 First Bill Due Date 26

27 Future Meeting Schedule July Meeting Date Possible dates: July 18, 20, or 25 August Meeting Date Possible dates: August 22 or 24

28 Open Questions and Discussion