title
(1) Receive Presentation from Public Works on Status of Enhanced Watershed Management Programs (EWMPs) and Planned City Infrastructure Projects; (2) Receive Presentation on Proposed Stormwater Parcel Tax; (3) Discuss Proposed Stormwater Parcel Tax; and (4) Provide Feedback to Staff for Transmittal to City Council
body
Meeting Date: July 6, 2016
Contact Person/Dept: Jeff Muir, Chief Financial Officer
Phone Number: (310) 253-5865
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: []
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - Finance Advisory Committee (07/01/16)
Department Approval: Jeff Muir, Chief Financial Officer
____________________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Finance Advisory Committee (FAC) (1) receive a presentation from Public Works on status of the Enhanced Watershed Management Programs (EWMPs) and planned City infrastructure projects; (2) receive a presentation from the City’s consultant on the proposed Stormwater Parcel Tax; (3) discuss the pending Stormwater Parcel Tax proposal; and (4) provide feedback to Staff for Transmittal to City Council.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
Item No. 6 of the FAC Work Plan is to “Review and make recommendations for addressing urban runoff mitigation (formerly referred to as stormwater) compliance.”
On January 8, 2014, the FAC received an initial presentation from the Public Works Department regarding the Federal Clean Water Act, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program for the City of Culver City. Of special consideration to the FAC were costs estimates in effort to begin the process of evaluating funding mechanisms as the City has no current sources in place to afford the forecasted costly, unfunded mandated price tag of NPDES compliance. With the City situated between two disparate watersheds with inflows from multiple jurisdictions, the City opted to work collectively along with various agencies to develop its Enhanced Watershed Management Programs (EWMPs). Discussion was continued in regards to the projected fiscal need for runoff mitigation efforts until the completion of the regional plan.
After significant work cooperatively between the City and other cities situated in the Ballona Creek and Marina del Rey Watersheds, the Public Works Department provided a follow-up on June 10, 2015 to the FAC, detailing its EMWPs with associated fiscal impact. In total, full implementation of the EWMP, which is required to comply with the Permit, is estimated to cost the City up to $125 million.
To this end, the City has funded a consultant to gauge public interest in addressing these needs and what level of funding might be realistic. The survey has recently been completed and results compiled. A recommendation will be proposed to City Council at the meeting on July 11, 2016 to place a stormwater parcel tax measure before the electorate based on survey results, which shall partially fund the City’s EWMPs at an average assessment of $99 per homeowner per year. This proposal will generate an estimated $2 million in annual revenues that will be used solely for pollution prevention and clean-up of local waterways.
City staff recommends the FAC receive a presentation from the Public Works Department, reviewing the Enhanced Watershed Management Programs and planned City infrastructure projects. Staff further recommends the FAC receive a presentation from the City’s consultant on the Proposed Stormwater Parcel Tax. Thereafter, it is recommended that discussion continue on the pending parcel tax proposal and provide feedback to staff for transmittal to City Council.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
There is no fiscal impact associated with discussing this action item.
ATTACHMENTS
None.
MOTION
That the Finance Advisory Committee:
1. Receive presentation on status of Enhanced Watershed Management Programs (EWMPs) and planned City infrastructure projects; and
2. Receive a presentation from the City’s consultant on the proposed Stormwater Parcel Tax; and
3. Discuss the Stormwater Parcel Tax Proposal; and
4. Provide Feedback to Staff for Transmittal to City Council.