R2014-27 ACCEPTING THE BID AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A CONTRACT FOR 2014 MISCELLANEOUS SANITARY SEWER IMPROVEMENT

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Background: As discussed during Study Session at the October 7, 2013 City Council meeting, the City of Decatur has identified over$60 Million in needed drainage improvements as well as a need for a higher level of preventative maintenance of the stormwater system. A stormwater utility was presented as a funding source to start improving the drainage problems in Decatur. The attached amendments to the Stormwater Ordinance, City Code Chapter 38, establish a stormwater utility in accordance with the study session presentation, including the following: 1. Establish an Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) which equals 4,500 sf of impervious surface area on a residential property. 2. All non-residential property and all residential property over 1 acre will have their total number of ERU's calculated based on the impervious surface area on the property. 3. Establish a Stormwater Service Charge(SWSC) for all properties within the City of Decatur. 4. Billing for the Stormwater Utility Service charge will begin October 1, 2014. 5. Phase 1 of the Stormwater Utility(October 1, 2014- September 30, 2014)will charge the base SWSC fee only; $3.00 per parcel per month. 6. All tax-exempt properties will be exempt from Phase 1 billing. 7. Phase 2 of the Stormwater Utility, beginning October 1, 2015, will charge the base fee of $3.00 per parcel per month and $0.67 per ERU per month. 8. Tax-exempt properties will begin paying the SWSC and ERU fees when Phase 2 billing begins on October 1, 2015. 9. There will be credits available to all property owners to reduce the SWSC beginning October 1, 2015. A provision was added to make the billing procedure for the stormwater service charge similar to drinking water and sanitary sewer user fees. These bills are sent to the actual property address. Tenants may pay the bill, but the property owner is ultimately responsible for making sure the fees are paid. POTENTIAL OBJECTION: Staff has met with major property owners, including tax exempt organizations and received overwhelming support for the stormwater utility. While none are happy to receive an additional fee for service, there was overwhelming support for taking action to begin addressing stormwater drainage problems. INPUT FROM OTHER SOURCES: None STAFF REFERENCE: Richard Marley, Public Works Director and Mary Cave, Civil Engineer II. Richard Marley will be in attendance at the City Council meeting to answer any questions of the Council on this item. Page 12