Charlotte City Council
Environment Committee
Meeting Summary for March 17, 2008
COMMITTEE AGENDA TOPICS
I.
II.
III.
IV.
Subject:
Focus Area Plan Review
Action:
The Committee voted unanimously to approve the changes to the
Environment Focus Area Plan and recommend approval by City Council.
Subject:
Stormwater Enterprise Fund Report
Action:
None.
Subject:
Information Updates
Action:
None.
Subject:
Next Meeting
April 21 at 3:30 p.m. in Room 280
COMMITTEE INFORMATION
Present:
Time:
Edwin Peacock, Nancy Carter, Susan Burgess, Warren Cooksey and
Andy Dulin
3:30 p.m. to 4:55 p.m.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Agenda Package
2. Presentation: Stormwater Enterprise Fund
3. Presentation: Bruce Anderson, Chair of Stormwater Advisory Committee
Environment Committee
Meeting Summary for March 17, 2008
Page 2
DISCUSSION HIGHLIGHTS
Committee Discussion:
Committee Chair Edwin Peacock welcomed everyone to the meeting and asked those in
attendance to introduce themselves.
I.
Focus Area Plan Review
Julie Burch reminded the Committee of their review of the Focus Area Plan at the last
meeting and pointed out the new target that was added related to 95% of rezonings.
Carter:
Will this be overseen by the Environment Team?
Burch:
Do you mean the Cabinet? This target is actually related to Planning and
Debra Campbell and her staff have a measure within their business plan to
track this. Their measure is actually 90% versus 95%, but they are
comfortable with the 95% goal. So, this target’s “home” is in Planning,
but Ms. Campbell is part of the Environmental Cabinet.
Ms. Burch continued that the second item for review is Council member Peacock’s
proposed changes to the first page of the Focus Area Plan. Staff was asked to look at this
and we have done that and feel that it fundamentally says the same thing. The only thing
that gives staff a little heartache is “world” leader in the tagline. That implies a level of
resources that we currently do not have. The other thing is the “we believe” statements.
The other focus area plans don’t say “we”, they say “the City.”
Carter:
I am very impressed with this document; it is a very coherent document.
Can we do some minor wordsmithing?
Peacock:
I tried to keep the general content the same, but make this a more userfriendly document for citizens to read about the environment. But, I
would welcome input to make this read more clearly.
[Committee’s final version with all changes is attached.]
Carter:
I wonder if world leader versus national leader puts us in a context to
succeed. The world principles are more idealistic. National might be
more functional. This is an excellent document on all levels.
Dulin:
So, you’re suggesting we change world to national?
Environment Committee
Meeting Summary for March 17, 2008
Page 3
Peacock:
Because we can go further nationally?
Burgess:
We are way behind Europe. To supersede them would take enormous
effort.
Peacock:
I thought if we shot for the stars and landed on the moon that would be
good, but I am comfortable with the word “national.”
Cooksey:
Or, we could say “seeking to become …”
Burgess:
I see two things missing, one being energy conversation. Energy is not
mentioned.
Peacock:
We could include that in the first bullet after promotion.
Burgess:
I think it needs to be there, something about conserving energy. Also
looking at alternative energy for vehicles. But, the other thing I see
missing is a reference to the tree canopy. We take great pride in our tree
canopy and it should be mentioned.
Burch:
We could add that at the end of the first bullet.
Burgess:
We should strongly encourage energy independence; we should do our
part to be less dependent.
Burch:
The bullet could read … the energy we consume …
Peacock:
I think that is part of a larger national debate, I’m not as concerned with us
leading that charge. We can do other things to lead by example.
Cooksey:
An element I see missing from the original is the interrelationships. It was
in the last sentence of the first paragraph and the original first bullet point.
I recognize the desire to keep compact statements, but I recommend
keeping the first bullet. There is a key reason this focus area exists and it
is supported by a Cabinet that is made up of various business units, so I
think the interrelated concept is good to keep.
Peacock:
That is referenced in the first bullet in red, so you’d like to see
interrelationships left in?
Cooksey:
In terms of flow, I think it should be the first or second bullet in the new
document.
Peacock:
Burch:
Is this consistently used?
We tend to say it in the other Focus Area Plans. It is referenced in the
Environment Committee
Meeting Summary for March 17, 2008
Page 4
Housing & Neighborhood Development Focus Area Plan.
Carter:
Mr. Cooksey raises a good point. The environment crosses the boundaries
of Public Safety, Transportation and Neighborhood Development.
Peacock:
That phrase could be added to the end as a closing statement.
Carter:
Would that be sufficient?
Burch:
In the original version, it was included intentionally. For example, the
Transportation Action Plan supports the Environment. It shows they make
connections.
Peacock:
I think adding that phrase is well pointed out. I was probably too eager to
take things out. Can we make that sentence as a final statement?
Burch:
Yes. And, then if the Committee can take final action and vote.
Burgess:
I move approval.
Carter:
Second.
Motion passes unanimously (Peacock, Carter, Burgess, Cooksey and Dulin - for)
Burch:
II.
This will be on your agenda Monday night.
Stormwater Enterprise Fund Report
Ms. Burch advised the Committee that Tim Richards would be making a presentation on
the Stormwater Enterprise Fund. Next month there will be a presentation on the Utilities
Enterprise Fund. This is for information only. Bruce Anderson, Chair of the Stormwater
Advisory Committee is in attendance today and will also make a few remarks.
Tim Richards began his presentation [copy attached]. He also provided the Committee
with a copy of the Stormwater Services Annual Report.
[Types of Work: Collaboration with City Strategic Programs – Slide]
Carter:
Is this for stormwater conservation?
Richards:
No, this is capital projects. We do some cost-sharing with best
management practices (bmps) for single-family residences.
[FY2008 Storm Water Services Program Highlights – Slide]
Environment Committee
Meeting Summary for March 17, 2008
Page 5
Burgess:
What does NPDES stand for?
Richards:
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
[FY2009 Storm Water Services Program Highlights – Slide]
Peacock:
Is the Post Construction Controls Ordinance absorbed now? Is this money
for maintenance?
Richards:
We have been providing the resources from Stormwater Services.
Carter:
Isn’t maintenance the responsibility of the homeowners association?
Richards:
Commercial developers maintain their bmps, but we maintain singlefamily residences. The homeowner or homeowners association would
take care of routine maintenance, such as grass mowing, trash, etc., but if
a dam needed to be rebuilt or a rain garden, we would do that. This was a
decision by the stakeholder’s committee. We felt it would be good for us
to take this on because most homeowners associations would not have the
necessary money to make repairs.
[PCCO Transition – Slide]
Peacock:
We have a representative from REBIC here, how do you all feel about the
communication of the Post Construction Controls Ordinance?
REBIC:
There was great debate during the development of the ordinance and
Stormwater Services has prepared a manual for folks to use. There has
been great communication.
Richards:
We also sent notices out regarding training.
Peacock:
So, you asked the customer what they wanted, they told you and you are
giving it to them?
Richards:
Yes.
[FY2009 Storm Water Services Programs – Challenges – Slide]
Peacock:
Who are your collaborative partners?
Richards:
CATS, Neighborhood Development, other departments, Economic
Development, and developers. We are starting to get estimates from
Neighborhood Development early on, which has been extremely helpful.
Burgess:
When you are increasing culverts and resurfacing roads, whose budget
does that come out of?
Environment Committee
Meeting Summary for March 17, 2008
Page 6
Richards:
It depends. If they are making the roadway larger, CDOT would fund.
But, if it just needed to be repaired, we would pay.
[Requests for Service – Slide]
Burgess:
Where are the medium priorities on the slide?
Richards:
High priority incorporates medium priority.
[FY2009 – Storm Water Services Program – Program Focus]
Dulin:
In the first bullet regarding ponds and streams, is that different than
studying dams?
Richards:
It is in the same group.
Dulin:
Where are we in that process?
Richards:
We have identified the list of eligible ponds.
[Long Term Plan – Slide]
Carter:
How much does a project cost? Is it more cost effective for a homeowner
to achieve their own repairs?
Richards:
There would be legislative changes needed for people to pay for their own
repairs. State law requires a bid process. Property owners can pay a
portion to move up their project or pay the difference in a project for
upgrades.
[Summary – Slide]
Burgess:
What are the commercial fees?
Richards:
We did not prepare those specifically, but they are based on the same
square footage and are charged by the acre.
Hecksher:
They are based on the Tier 2 rate.
Cooksey:
If the monthly fee is per square foot, do you have a sense of what
percentage is less than 2,000?
Hecksher:
Less than 2,000 is about 10% and greater than 2,000 are about 90%.
Cooksey:
When we get into the discussion about changing tiers, this will be useful
information to know the number affected.
Bruce Anderson, Chair of the Stormwater Advisory Committee, was introduced and
Environment Committee
Meeting Summary for March 17, 2008
Page 7
made a brief presentation [copy attached].
Council member Peacock thanked everyone for the update.
III.
Information Updates
Chatham Olive from the Sierra Club invited the Committee and all those in attendance to
the Charlotte Clean & Green event scheduled for Saturday, April 19 at the main quad at
Central Piedmont Community College. The US Green Building Council will be holding
two workshops (small fee) and ten classes (free) that can be registered for onsite. The
event has four tracks: energy, green, stewardship and food. There will be lots of exhibits
and great food donated by Earthfare as well as a BBQ lunch. CATS will be providing
shuttle service to the Earth Day events at Rays Splash Planet.
Peacock:
Does Kim McMillan have this information to distribute?
Olive:
event.
Yes. We’ve been working with the City and County to promote this
Peacock:
We want to make sure they get with our partners in the media.
Olive:
The Business Journal and WFAE are partnering with us.
Julie Burch then introduced Heidi Pruess, the County’s Environmental Policy
Coordinator to give a brief update on the upcoming Environmental Summit.
Ms. Pruess advised the Committee the Summit would be held on May 2 and all elected
officials in our 14 country region have been invited. This is sort of the culmination of all
past events and a chance to brainstorm going forward. Ronnie Bryant will make the
keynote presentation. Hopefully, the outcome will be to come up with the top two or
three items we can agree on as a region.
IV.
Next Meeting
The next meeting is April 21 at 3:30 p.m. in Room 280. The agenda includes a
discussion on the Utilities Enterprise Fund.
Meeting adjourned.
Environment Committee
Monday, March 17, 2008 at 3:30 p.m.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center
Room 280
Committee Members:
Edwin Peacock, Chair
Nancy Carter, Vice Chair
Susan Burgess
Warren Cooksey
Andy Dulin
Staff Resources:
Julie Burch
AGENDA
I.
Focus Area Plan Review
Staff Resource: Julie Burch and Cabinet Members
The Committee is asked to approve the proposed ’08-’09 Focus Area Plan for the
Environment. The attached draft reflects the Committee’s discussion on February 18,
including Chair Peacock’s proposed changes to the “Environmental Principles” on page
one. Also attached is a marked-up copy to show the changes from the current adopted
principles.
II.
Stormwater Enterprise Fund Report
Staff Resource: Tim Richards
This report is for the Committee’s information as part of the Council-approved budget
process. The Chair of the Stormwater Advisory Committee will also make brief remarks.
III.
Information Updates
Chatham Olive, Sierra Club, will update the Committee on the first annual “Charlotte
Clean and Green” events, April 18-21. Staff will update the Committee on plans for the
May 2 Regional Environmental Summit for Elected Officials.
IV.
Next Meeting
April 21 at 3:30 p.m. in Room 280
Agenda: Utilities Enterprise Fund Report
Distribution:
Mayor/City Council
Mac McCarley
PCCO Stakeholders
Curt Walton, City Manager
Leadership Team
Environmental Cabinet
Brenda Freeze
Environmental GDP Stakeholders
City of Charlotte
FY2009 Strategic Focus Area Plan DRAFT
“Charlotte will safeguard the environment,
balancing environmental health, sound fiscal
policy, and growth.”
The City of Charlotte recognizes that environmental stewardship is fundamentally important to our quality of
life and to a strong economy, both now and in the future. Protecting and improving the environment is a
necessary element of the City’s mission to enhance the quality of life for our citizens. The actions associated
with the other City Council Focus Areas – Community Safety, Housing and Neighborhood Development,
Economic Development, and Transportation - are supported and enhanced by stewardship of our natural
resources and the environment.
Charlotte is the center of one of the fastest growing regions in the country. While growth contributes to our
economic vitality, it also presents challenges for achieving and maintaining a healthy environment and a
sustainable regional economy. The City of Charlotte is committed to safeguarding the environment, which is integral to
quality of life, in ways that balance environmental health, sound fiscal policy, and growth. Consistent with these values,
the City will:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Recognize the important interrelationships between air quality, water resources, land preservation, and
energy and resource conservation;
Recognize that we share our environment with our regional neighbors, including other public and private
entities, and that we will work cooperatively with them;
Incorporate environmental goals and considerations in planning and decision making;
Conserve energy and other resources;
Protect natural ecosystems and habitats, including the tree canopy;
Make wise land use decisions regarding growth and development;
Adopt sound environmental practices in City operations; and
Support sustainability, which is defined as meeting the needs of our citizens today without compromising
the opportunity of future generations to meet their own needs.
The City of Charlotte recognizes that conscientious environmental stewardship and concern for the public
interest may require more than meeting mandates and minimum standards. The City will evaluate
environmental conditions and opportunities in order to determine what approach is best for our community’s
optimal environmental sustainability. The choices will include (1) determining that regulatory compliance is
sufficient, (2) being proactive and initiating positive action, especially to avoid more costly remedial action later,
(3) taking a leadership role and modeling best practices.
Successfully meeting environmental challenges is critical to Charlotte’s future. These principles will shape the
City’s approach to fulfilling our environmental responsibilities.
Page 1
City of Charlotte
FY2009 Strategic Focus Area Plan
Environment
DRAFT
Safeguard the Environment
ENV.1
►
Focus Area Initiative:
Support sustainability by making wise decisions regarding growth and
development, recognizing the interrelationships between air quality,
water resources, land preservation, and energy and resource conservation
Measure:
Continue implementing Centers, Corridors, and Wedges Growth
Framework
Encourage minimum of 40% of new housing unit permits, 70% of new
multi-family unit permits, 75% of new office development square
footage, and 75% of new employment located within the centers and
corridors this Fiscal Year
Target: PLANNING
►
Measure:
Target: PLANNING
►
Measure:
Target: PLANNING
Prior Year:
►
ENV.2
►
Implement Post Construction Controls Ordinance on July 1, 2008
Implement the PCCO Transition Plan by June 2008
Post Construction Controls Ordinance adopted November 26, 2007
Focus Area Initiative:
Protect natural ecosystems and habitats, including the tree canopy
Measure:
Target: E&PM
Identify and protect environmentally sensitive areas
Implement first phase of Environmental Inventory Strategy to include
determining needs, cost, and schedule by June 2008
Implement deliverables determined from first phase of the Environmental
Inventory Strategy by June 2009
Environmental Inventory Strategy developed December 2007
Prior Year:
Measure:
Target: E&PM
Target: E&PM
►
Implement the General Development Policies Phase II - Environment
Initiate strategies to address 5 of the 15 General Development
Environmental Policies by June 2009
General Development Policies Phase II - Environment adopted
November 12, 2007
Measure:
Target: E&PM
Prior Year:
Target: E&PM
►
Percent of rezoning decisions consistent with adopted plan
recommendations
95% of rezoning decisions consistent with adopted plans and/or staff
recommendation
Measure:
Target: E&PM
Maintain a significant and healthy tree canopy
Conduct a baseline assessment of City’s tree canopy
(Pending project and funding approval in FY2009 budget)
Adopt revised Tree Ordinance by June 2008
Protect stream corridors, ponds, and wetlands through public acquisition
of additional conservation easements and enhancing existing buffers
Conduct a baseline analysis of land protected for environmental purposes,
either through easements or other conservation practices by June 2008
Page 2
City of Charlotte
FY2009 Strategic Focus Area Plan
Environment
DRAFT
ENV.2 (cont.)
►
Measure:
Target: UTILITIES
Prior Year:
ENV.3
Maintain permit compliance with treated wastewater
100% compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit
requirements for all five wastewater plants
FY2007 - 8 violations
Focus Area Initiative: Lead by example, adopting sound environmental practices in City facilities and
operations
►
Measure:
Target: BSS
Prior Year:
Target: CATS
Prior Year:
Target: CATS
Target: CATS
►
Measure:
Target: E&PM
Target: E&PM
Target: BSS
Target: E&PM
Target: UTILITIES
Target: E&PM
Implement strategies to reduce City fleet emissions
Increase percentages of City fleet using alternative fuel or emission efficient
technologies
34 hybrids (+9.7%) 98 (+63%) flex fuel vehicles (excludes CATS)
Retrofit by December 2007, with emission reduction equipment 25% of Charlotte Area Transit System’s fixed route bus fleet
Retrofitted 34.7% fixed route bus fleet (119 buses) with emission reduction
equipment
Procure four hybrid buses for service expansions by June 2009
(Pending project and funding approval in FY2009 budget)
Reduce idling by 5% from FY2007 baseline data in Charlotte Area Transit System’s fixed route bus fleet
Incorporate environmentally responsible elements in the design, construction,
and operations of City facilities
Collaborate with all Key Businesses to develop a baseline energy consumption
model for facilities by June 2008
Develop Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Action Plan by December 2008
Establish baseline by June 2008, for City-wide purchasing of environmentallyfriendly products
Document current waste minimization practices and recycling programs in all
City facilities by June, 2008
Achieve the City’s first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
(LEED) certification at the Utilities Environmental Services Facility from the
U.S. Green Building Council
Design, construct, and retrofit facilities using sustainable design criteria such as
American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers
(ASHRAE), EPA/Energy Star Standards, and LEED, as appropriate
Page 3
City of Charlotte
FY2009 Strategic Focus Area Plan
Environment
Develop Collaborative Solutions
ENV.4
Focus Area Initiative:
►
Measure:
Target: CITY MGR
►
Measure:
Target: CORP COMM
Target: UTILITIES
►
Measure:
Target: UTILITIES
DRAFT
Collaborate with local and regional public and private partners and
neighborhoods to enhance environmental quality and long-term
sustainability
Continue collaboration and actively participate in public and private
sector partnership’s environmental and visioning initiatives
Continue collaboration and participation with Sustainable Environment
for Quality of Life, Centralina Council of Governments, Regional
Visioning Council, and other partners’ current initiatives
Increase Charlotte-Mecklenburg citizens’ awareness of the environment
as a priority for the community and the organization
Develop an external communication strategy and begin communicating
the City’s environmental principles, initiatives, and programs to
Charlotte-Mecklenburg citizens by June 2008
Continue intensive public relations efforts and elevate the water
conservation message with paid advertising from January to April 2008
Continue a leadership role in the Catawba-Wateree Water Management
Group to enhance regional water supply planning and collaborative
drought response.
Lead the group with Utilities staff as chair of the Water Management
Group and actively involved in committee work in 2008
►
Measure:
Target: SWS
Increase single family recycling from 45% to 65%
Implement single-stream recycling program by July 2010
►
Measure:
Target: SWS
Continue implementing the multi-family recycling education program
Educate 20 non-participating multi-family property managers on the
benefits of recycling by July 2009
►
Measure:
Collaboration with NCDENR and public and private partners in the nonattainment area to accelerate the trend toward meeting the current 8hour ozone air quality standard by 2010
Gain approval, through collaboration with NCDENR, of Statewide State
Implementation Plan (SIP) by October 2008
Work with regional partners to develop options for air quality initiatives
by October 2008, in addition to those required by the SIP, and adopt
Charlotte-specific air quality initiatives by October 2008
Target: CDOT
Target: CDOT
Promote Learning & Growth
ENV.5
Focus Area Initiative:
►
Measure:
Target: CORP COMM
Support the enhancement of City employees’ awareness of the
environment as a priority
Continue implementing the internal communication strategy for the
environment focus area
Continue communicating the City’s environmental principles, initiatives,
and programs to City employees
Page 4
DRAFT
Chairman Peacock’s Suggestions for Input & Comments
For Staff & Committee Members
FY 2009 Strategic Focus Area Plan
Environment
“Charlotte will become a world leader in environmental initiatives to preserve our
natural resources while balancing growth with sound fiscal policy.”
The City of Charlotte recognizes that the environmental stewardship both now and in
the future is fundamentally important to our quality of life and essential to maintaining a
vibrant economy. Protecting our natural resources and promoting conservation on all
levels enhances our City’s mission to preserve the quality of life for our citizens.
Charlotte’s economic vitality presents challenges to maintaining a healthy environment.
The City is committed to the following beliefs:
•
•
•
•
We believe in the promotion of conservation best practices and the protection
of our natural resources: the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the
natural ecosystems we cherish.
We believe in making sound land use decisions regarding our future growth
and development. We’re aware that to sustain a high level of growth today, we
can not jeopardize our future generation of citizens.
We believe that to achieve our goals of becoming a world leader in the
successful stewardship of our environment, we must maintain a cooperative
and open dialogue with Mecklenburg County, our regional neighbors, and the
business community.
We believe that The City of Charlotte should lead by example and promote
sound, cost effective environmental practices in City operations.
The City of Charlotte will take a proactive leadership role in modeling best practices for
its citizens. We recognize that conscientious environmental stewardship and concern for
the public interest requires more than meeting mandates and minimum standards. The
City will evaluate in order to determine what approach is best for our community’s
optimal environmental sustainability. By always be conscious of the need to meet
regulatory compliance standards we will avoid costly remedial action later.
DRAFT
Chairman Peacock’s Suggestions for Input & Comments
For Staff & Committee Members
Formatted: Left: 72 pt, Right: 72 pt, Top:
57.6 pt, Bottom: 57.6 pt
FY 2000 Strategic Focus Area Plan
Environment
“Charlotte will become a world leader in environmental initiatives to preserve our
natural resources while balancing growth with sound fiscal policy.”
The City of Charlotte recognizes that the environmental stewardship both now and in the future is
fundamentally important to our quality of life and essential to maintaining to a vibrant strong economy,
both now and in the future. Protecting our natural resources and promoting conservation on all levels
enhances our City’s and improving the environment is a necessary element of the City’s mission to enhance
preserve the quality of life for our citizens. The actions associated with the other City Council Focus Areas
– Community Safety, Housing and Neighborhood Development, Economic Development, and
Transportation - are supported and enhanced by stewardship of our natural resources and the environment.
Charlotte’s is the center of one of the fastest growing regions in the country. While growth contributes to
our economic vitality, it also presents challenges to for achieving and maintaining a healthy environment.
and a sustainable regional economy. The City of Charlotte is committed to safeguarding the environment,
which is integral to quality of life, in ways that balance environmental health, sound fiscal policy, and
growth. Consistent with these values, the City will the following beliefs:
• Recognize the important interrelationships between air quality, water resources, land
preservation, and energy and resource conservation;
• Recognize that we share our environment with our regional neighbors, including other public and private
entities, and that we will work cooperatively with them;
• Incorporate environmental goals and considerations in planning and decision making;
• Conserve energy and other resources;
• Protect natural ecosystems and habitats, including the tree canopy;
• Make wise land use decisions regarding growth and development;
• Adopt sound environmental practices in City operations; and
• Support sustainability, which is defined as meeting the needs of our citizens today without compromising
the opportunity of future generations to meet their own needs.
• We believe in the promotion of conservation best practices and the protection of our natural resources:
the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the natural ecosystems we cherish.
• We believe in making sound land use decisions regarding our future growth and development. We’re
aware that to sustain a high level of growth today, we cannot jeopardize our future generation of
citizens.
• We believe that to achieve our goals of becoming a world leader in the successful stewardship of our
environment, we must maintain a cooperative and open dialogue with Mecklenburg County, our
regional neighbors, and the business community.
• We believe that The City of Charlotte should lead by example and promote sound, cost effective
environmental practices in City operations.
Formatted: Font: Not Italic
Formatted: Font: Not Italic
Formatted: Indent: Left: 0 pt, First line: 36
pt, Widow/Orphan control
Formatted: Font color: Custom
Color(RGB(118,146,60))
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+ Aligned at: 0 pt + Indent at: 18 pt
Formatted: Font: Perpetua, 12 pt, Font color:
Custom Color(RGB(118,146,60))
The City of Charlotte will take a proactive leadership role in modeling best practices for its citizens. We
recognizes that conscientious environmental stewardship and concern for the public interest may requires
more than meeting mandates and minimum standards. The City will evaluate environmental conditions and
opportunities in order to determine what approach is best for environmental conditions and opportunities
in order to determine what approach is best for our community’s optimal environmental sustainability. By
always being conscious of the need to meet The choices will include (1) determining that regulatory
compliance standards we will is sufficient, (2) being proactive and initiating positive action, especially to
avoid more costly remedial action later., (3) taking a leadership role and modeling best practices.
Successfully meeting environmental challenges is critical to Charlotte’s future. These principles will shape
the City’s approach to fulfilling our environmental responsibilities.
Formatted: Font: Not Italic
Formatted: Indent: First line: 0 pt, No
widow/orphan control
Formatted: No widow/orphan control
Formatted: Justified
Storm Water Services
Enterprise Fund Update
March 17, 2008
History
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services
• Joint utility
• Started in 1993
• Federal permit served as catalyst for program
• Flooding solutions looking for funding
• Requests for service
throughout the City
• Older, more urban
areas make up the
largest backlog
• Requests are added
as the City
annexes, urbanizes
and gets older
Types of Work
Infrastructure
• Flood Control
• Maintenance and
Repairs of Storm
Drains
• Water Quality
• Restoring Streams
A’s, B’s and C’s of Storm
Water Services
• A (High Priority) - Flooding of living space,
damage or imminent damage to structure(s) or
flooding that poses a threat to the traveling
public.
• B (Medium Priority) - Crawl space and/or
mechanical equipment flooding; severe erosion
threatening secondary structures; pipe or
drainage structure failure; or erosion adversely
affecting water quality
• C (Low Priority) - Blocked pipes or channels not
otherwise causing “A” or “B” priority problems;
Moderate erosion; or standing water from
publicly funded projects
Examples
C
A
B
Types of Work
Collaboration with
City Strategic Programs
• Neighborhood
Improvements
• Transportation
• Transit Corridors
• Economic Development
FY2008 Storm Water Services
Program Highlights
Capital - $33.5 million
•
•
•
•
Neighborhood-wide projects ($17.3 or 51%)
Repairs ($9.6 or 29%)
Water Quality ($4.0 or 12%)
Strategic Collaboration ($2.6 or 8%)
Operating - $12.6 million
•
•
•
NPDES Work Plan
Street Maintenance
Mecklenburg County
FY2008 Storm Water Services
Accomplishments
•
Post Construction Controls Ordinance (PCCO)
adopted in November, 2007.
•
High priority requests for service are addressed
within six months of request and medium
priority requests within one year.
•
Finalized Watershed Ranking procedures and
started scoring projects.
•
Completed four CIPs in FY07 and will complete
six in FY08.
FY2009 Storm Water Services
Program Highlights
Capital - $34.5 million
•
•
•
•
Neighborhood-wide projects ($17.8 or 51%)
Repairs ($9.9 or 29%)
Water Quality ($4.1 or 12%)
Strategic Collaboration ($2.7 or 8%)
Operating - $12.6 million
•
•
•
•
NPDES Workplan
Street Maintenance
Mecklenburg County
Post Construction Controls Ordinance
FY2009 Storm Water Services
Program
Challenges
•
Implementation of the PCCO in July, 2008.
PCCO Transition
• Projects submitted after July 1 will be subject to the
ordinance
• Design Manual in use by County since 2007
• Administrative Manual complete and ready for review
• Staff and Public training on May 8
• Flow chart and manuals available on web site
• Review staff funded by fees approved in November 2007,
Storm Water staff gradually increasing over next few years
FY2009 Storm Water Services
Program
Challenges
•
Implementation of the PCCO in July, 2008.
•
Drainage infrastructure issues continue to
grow faster than the funding needed to
resolve.
•
Anticipating funding needs with our
collaborative partners.
FY2009 Storm Water Services
Program
Program Focus
•
PCCO
•
Maintain High Priority backlog at 6 months or
less and Medium Priority at 12 months or
less.
•
Develop a plan to increase attention to low
priority requests within current budget
FY2009 Storm Water Services
Program
Program Focus
•
Start two to three new CIP projects and
feasibility studies on seven pond projects and
6,000 LF of stream restoration.
•
Implement a Minor CIP program to address
requests that are more than maintenance
repairs but less than major CIPs.
•
Increase PAYG fees supporting Capital
projects by $1 million.
Long Term Plan
• 1993 – 2006
– 10% increases to complete high priority maintenance
backlog
– 7.5% increases to continue aggressive attack on the
channels and large projects
• 2007 forward
– 7% increases thru 2010 to mitigate City cap
– Stepping down increases
Storm Water Fees
City of Charlotte Residents – FY08 Monthly Fees
Tier I (less than 2,000 sf)
Major
$1.27 (County-wide large system)
Minor
$3.75 (City small system)
Administrative
$0.85 (Cost for billing)
$5.87
Tier II (2,000 sf and greater)
Major
$1.27 (County-wide large system)
Minor
$5.51 (City small system)
Administrative
$0.85 (Cost for billing)
$7.63
Monthly Residential Fees
City Minor System Fee Only
$9.60
$10
FY09
$5.89
$8
$6
Fees
$4
$2.12
$2
$0
94
97
00
03
06
09
12
15
18
Fiscal Year
8%
Fee Structure
Currently less than 2,000* pays $5.87/month**
• For 1,500 sf, that is $.0039 / sf
• For 1,900 sf, that is $.0031 / sf
Currently greater than 2,000* pays $7.63/month**
• For 2,500 sf, that is $.0031 / sf
• For 3,500 sf, that is $.0022 / sf
• For 5,000 sf, that is $.0015 / sf
*square feet of impervious area
**includes City, County and Fixed fees
Monthly Fee per Square Foot
0.004
0.0035
0.003
0.0025
0.002
0.0015
0.001
0.0005
Square Feet
0
6
00
0
4
75
0
25
4
3
75
0
0
3
25
0
50
2
1
50
0
0
Requests for Service
FY17
8,480
9000
8000
7000
FY09
6000
5,180
FY17
5,980
High Priority
Low Priority Wet
Low Priority Dry
5000
4000
3000
2000
1000
239
239
0
93
97
01
05
09
13
17
Summary
•
Programs focus on meeting permit
requirements, mitigating dangerous flooding
situations, and contributing to the City’s quality
of life.
•
Minor CIPs and low priority erosion requests
that impact water quality will have active
discussions to plan, fund, and initiate
resolutions.
•
Explore revised fee structures for FY10 budget
discussions
Storm Water Advisory Committee
Roles and Responsibilities
– Policy
– Budget
– Appeals
• Erosion Control
• Fees
• Post Construction Controls
SWAC Chair – Bruce Anderson
Questions
Fee Comparisons
Portland
Sacremento
Philadelphia
Austin
Denver
Charlotte
Charlotte
St. Paul
Durham
Raleigh
Cincinnati
Los Angelas
$0
$3
Source: Black & Veatch 2007 Stormwater Utility Survey
$6
$9
$12
$15
$18
STORM WATER
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
(SWAC)
Charlotte City Council Environment
Committee
March 17, 2008
Committee Representation
• SWAC membership
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
(Actual)
residential
environmental
financial, legal
institutional
commercial property
developer or design professional
General contractor
(2)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(0)
(4)
(0)
A well balanced committee is essential to good
decisions.
Committee Representation
• It requires a minimum of 5 members to
make a decision and that is not enough if
there is a quasi-judicial hearing.
• We have a full complement of members at
this time, but delays in filling vacancies
have caused deferral of hearings.
Long Range Plans
• One hot issue is the maintenance of existing and
future erosion control structures.
• Costs are beyond the ability of most Home Owner
Associations.
• Storm Water staff and the SWAC continue to
discuss options for the most effective way to
prevent future failures of these facilities.
Budget
•
•
The proposed budget represents the best efforts
of the staff to fund the expenditures that are
absolutely necessary – given budget limits.
It does not address the negative publicity
associated with the large backlog of “low
priority” requests.
Charlotte Observer (8/1/06):
1.Step 1 – File complaint
2.Step 2 – Wait 12 years
Budget Shortfall
• There are currently over 5000 “low priority”
requests in the backlog.
• The proposed budget not only does not reduce
this backlog, but allows it to double by 2019.
• The SWAC has for the past four years reiterated
the fact that storm water fees are too low and
are subsidized by property taxes.
Budget Shortfall
• The real problem is not the relatively “low
priority” requests, but the impact of delaying a
response. Moderate erosion situations frequently
turn into severe erosion problems that cost much
more to repair.
• It is up to you to decide whether to pay now or
pay much more later!
Storm water fees
• Staff is currently evaluating the storm water fee
two-tier structure.
• Changing to a three- or even four-tier structure
would distribute the costs more fairly.
• I will point out that a new structure would allow
changes to the fees without specifying a
percentage.
Erosion Control Fine Appeals
• In Charlotte, there are few appeals to fines. That
is because the city and county provide education,
training, and certification so developers can
minimize problems at their sites.
• You should be very proud of the efforts of Storm
Water staff. They set the standard in the region
for protection of surface water.