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Report regarding a resolution approving the report of stormwater management service charges, approving the stormwater management service charges for Fiscal Year 2019-20 and directing the stormwater management service charges to be collected on the official tax assessment roll. (Andrew Wemmer, Environmental Compliance Supervisor).
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council conduct a public hearing and, by a four-fifths vote, adopt a resolution approving the following actions:
(1) Approve the report of stormwater management service charges;
(2) Approve the stormwater management service charges for fiscal year 2019-20; and
(3) Direct the stormwater management service charges to be collected on the official tax assessment roll.
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
The Environmental Protection Agency imposes regulations that mandate local government to control and reduce stormwater pollution runoff. Regulatory authority is given under the Clean Water Act of 1977 the Water Quality Act of 1987. The framework for regulating stormwater discharge exists through a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit. The permit is implemented and enforced by the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB).
The NPDES Municipal Regional Permit (MRP) regulates stormwater compliance. The SWRCB renewed the MRP on November 19, 2015. This 152-page permit contains 22 provisions including:
• Municipal operations
• New development and redevelopment
• Industrial and commercial site control
• Illicit discharge detection and elimination
• Construction site control
• Public information and outreach
• Water quality monitoring
• Pesticides toxicity control
• Trash load reduction
• Mercury controls
• Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) controls
• Copper controls
• Control on other chemical compounds
San Mateo Countywide Water Pollution Prevention Program (SMCWPPP) is the countywide program that works with cities to help them meet the MRP. Fiscal year 2019-20 marks the 27th year of South San Francisco’s participation in this program.
Water Pollution Prevention Program
Examples of general program responsibilities include:
- Coordinate the overall program efforts;
- Submit annual reports to the Regional Water Quality Control Board;
- Develop and sponsor training workshops; and
- Develop educational/informational materials for dissemination within jurisdictions.
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- Examples of City specific program activities include:
- Street sweeping, storm drain cleaning and other maintenance-related activities that may increase stormwater quality;
- Minimizing or eliminating potential stormwater pollution sources at commercial and industrial facilities through inspection and educational outreach activities, and to effectively prohibit illicit discharges (such as oil, paint, or soapy wash water) to the City’s storm drain systems; and
- Educating the public about the differences between the sanitary sewer and storm drain systems and the causes of stormwater pollution.
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- Accomplishments of the South San Francisco FY 2018-19 Water Pollution Prevention Program to date include:
- Responded to over 31 spill or illicit discharge complaints of materials (i.e. paint, oil, fuel, or concrete materials) that had the potential to enter into the storm drain system;
- The Environmental Compliance Inspectors conducted over 134 erosion control inspections;
- The Environmental Compliance Inspectors conducted over 200 storm water inspections of food facilities, auto repair facilities, and industrial facilities;
- Reviewed over 176 building and construction plans and prepared written comments requesting incorporation of stormwater pollution prevention measures and post construction stormwater treatment measures;
- On September 18-19, 2018, the City of South San Francisco’s Environmental Compliance Program participated in Pollution Prevention Week. Staff setup an outreach booth at the Public Library and staff distributed 99 reusable bags and various other outreach materials to the community;
- The Environmental Compliance Program set up an outreach booth on August 4, September 8 and October 13, 2018 to provide pollution prevention outreach to the community at the SSF Farmers’ Market and staff distributed 288 reusable bags and various other outreach materials to the public;
- On Saturday, September 15, 2018, the City of South San Francisco in partnership with the County of San Mateo, sponsored a Creek Clean-Up Event of Colma Creek, north of the Utah Bridge, which was a three hour event with approximately 105 volunteers, including city staff and community members, collecting over 950 gallons of trash;
- On Saturday, September 22, 2018, the Environmental Compliance Program hosted an outreach table at the SSF concert in the Park, held at Orange Memorial Park, in order to provide pollution prevention outreach and information to over 250 members of the public. 300 reusable bags and various other outreach materials were distributed to community members;
- For Earth Day on Saturday, April 20, 2019, the Environmental Compliance Inspectors in collaboration with San Mateo County and 11 citizen volunteers, removed approximately 225 gallons of trash from Colma Creek in the area of the pedestrian bridge;
- On Saturday, April 27, 2019, the Environmental Compliance Program participated in the South San Francisco Scavenger Earth Day Festival. Team members interacted with approximately 50 people and provided pollution prevention outreach materials and information;
- On Saturday, May 18, 2019, the City of South San Francisco, in partnership with the County of San Mateo, sponsered a Creek Clean-Up Event of Colma Creek at the Utah Bridge; and
- The Environmental Compliance Program participated in several additional city-sponsored and community events, providing pollution prevention information and distributing outreach materials.
Current Stormwater Fees and Fee Changing Process
On July 19, 1993, the City Council adopted a stormwater fee that, at the time, represented an equitable distribution of stormwater regulation costs. Fees in 1993 were established taking into consideration the size and use of the parcel and the estimated amount of stormwater runoff generated by the parcel. Over the last 25 years, the MRP compliance requirements have increased, while the funding mechanisms for stormwater management have not increased. The fee continues to remain the same since its inception in 1993.
Pursuant to the City’s Municipal Code requirements, the Finance Director has filed with the City Clerk a report containing a summary of the annual charges of real property, computed in conformity with the schedule of charges. Additionally, the notice of the public hearing was published in accordance with the applicable Municipal Code requirements. Following adoption of the resolution approving the report of stormwater management service charges for fiscal year 2019-20, the City Clerk will file a copy of the report with the county auditor so that the stormwater management service charges will be collected on the official tax assessment roll.
RELATIONSHIP TO STRATEGIC PLAN
The Water Quality Control Plant (WQCP) Division promotes public health and environmental stewardship. Continuing to fund the Storm Water Program helps to ensure clean storm water runoff to Colma Creek and the San Francisco Bay. The storm water program positively influences the quality of life for South San Francisco Residents by protecting public health and safety.
FISCAL IMPACT
Expected revenue from fiscal year 2019-20 stormwater program service fees is approximately $428,388. The proposed program budget for fiscal year 2019-20 is $1,153,270. Currently, funding will be provided from program service fees and supplemented with gas tax and general funds, as stormwater fees collected continue to fall short of the total service cost.
CONCLUSION
It is recommended that the City Council conduct a public hearing, and by a four-fifths vote, adopt a resolution to:
(1) Adopt the report of stormwater management service charges;
(2) Approve the stormwater management service charges for fiscal year 2019-20; and
(3) Direct the stormwater management service charges to be collected on the official tax assessment roll in order to ensure continued funding of the stormwater program at the current rate.