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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Council 032599• CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING MARCH 25, 1999 The March 25, 1999, workshop meeting of the City Council of the City of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, was called to order at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Complex located at 10500 North Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida; and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. ROLL CALL The Administrative Assistant to the City Manager called the roll and the following elected officials were found to be in attendance: Vice Mayor Lauren Furtado, Councilman Eric Jablin, Councilman David Clark, and Councilman Carl Sabatello. Mayor Joseph R. Russo arrived at 7:38 p.m. PRESENTATIONS Stormwater Utility Program The presentation was made by City Engineer Len Lindahl and Duncan Rose, who had instituted several stormwater utility • programs within the State. Mr. Lindahl explained that a stormwater utility was being considered for improved flood control, replacement and renewal of infrastructure, water quality issues, and enhanced operation and maintenance. Mr. Rose presented nine steps for a funding solution: to define stormwater management program, define governing structure, establish financial strategy, establish rate structure, gather data, set up billing system, develop legal documents, execute a public information program, and adopt rates. Mr. Rose explained that out of approximately 360 stormwater utilities in the United States, 95 were in Florida, and that stormwater utilities were first implemented in the early 1970's, were serving populations from 4,000 to over 1,000,000, and that significant momentum had been provided by the EPA NPDES. Mr. Rose reviewed services the stormwater utility would sell, the private vs. public burden, decisions to be made regarding levels of service and how those decisions would affect cost. After the stormwater utility program was defined, a financial structure could be established. Decisions would be needed regarding items the City wished to fund from new stormwater utility funds and those which would continue to be funded by the General Fund. Funding would be from a user charge basis rather than from taxes, placing the burden on those causing the problems, and providing economic • incentive to correct problems. Fundamental rate design questions 0 • CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING, 3/25/99 2 of who would be billed, for what services, and on what basis must be answered. Mr. Rose explained the fundamental characteristics of utilities and the user cost concept which provided three ways to raise money: (1) taxes, under which there was no legal requirement to provide specific services, (2) user fees, under which there was a legal requirement to provide services for funds collected, and (3) assessments, which carried a legal requirement to provide special services for funds collected. Collection options reviewed were to place charges on the annual tax bill, on the water utility bill, or billed separately by the City as an assessment. A property owner would pay for a stream of benefits resulting from the burden of the property on the community from the runoff generated by that particular property. Mr. Rose described the "rubber ducky" test as a means to determine whether property is hydrologically connected to the City's stormwater system and could be charged or assessed. Mr. Lindahl reported that in establishing their stormwater utility, the City of West Palm Beach had been criticized because they had not excluded areas under the jurisdiction of Northern Palm Beach County Improvement District; and reviewed a matrix and map of Palm Beach Gardens showing City, Northern Palm Beach County Improvement District, and HOA/POA secondary systems, as well as City and Northern Palm Beach County Improvement District primary systems, and explained how these systems flowed from and into each other. Major basins and outfalls were pointed out. A conservative billing practice was said to be billing only those parcels hydrologically related to a capital project. Standard billing units (Equivalent Stormwater Units, or "ESUs ") would be based on the number of "standard" households. Runoff would be determined by impervious area, soil group, vegetative cover, antecedent moisture conditions, connectivity, and topography. A median impervious area would be established for a standard single family lot which would become a base billing value of one ESU. Typical rate classes discussed were general, residential or non- residential condominiums, single family residential, duplex, mobile homes, non - billable, and exempt. Tiers of residential properties could be small to very large based on the number of square footage of impervious area. Credits could be given for retention on specific properties. CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING, 3/25/99 3 Concern was expressed that accountability to open the flood gates was not a factor being considered. Discussion ensued regarding work done after the 1995 and January 2, 1999 floods and needed improvements in other areas of the City. Mr. Lindahl explained that South Florida Water Management District must be held accountable within their own organization and regulations, which was not the subject under discussion. Mr. Lindahl explained that the user fee would be assessed based on a standard equivalent residential unit for impervious areas. Discussion ensued regarding possible credits. The goal was not to have any property owner assessed twice if they were in an area where another entity had control. Mr. Lindahl explained that the answer to flooding in certain sections was lakes and ponds to retain the water, and the program must withstand scrutiny regarding fairness. Mr. Rose discussed obstacles which could be encountered in establishing a stormwater utility, and overcoming those obstacles. Public education and information would be critical. Questions from the City Council members were answered, including fixing small areas which need drainage improvements, and initial funding sources. Vice Mayor Furtado expressed concern that the City could have the best system in the world, but if other agencies did not perform by opening the gates, it would not work. Mr. Lindahl explained that a recurrent source of funding was needed to replace and renew infrastructure. A third flood gate was discussed. A time period of six to eight months to complete a study regarding the stormwater utility was estimated, with funding to be recovered when the rate structure was established. Informing property owners was discussed. Direction from the City Council was that the City Engineer proceed with a study to determine cost. CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING, 3/25/99 4 ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss, upon motion by Councilman Clark seconded by Councilman Jablin, the meeting was adjourned p.m. APPROVAL: /MA, irb JOSEPH R. RUSSO 7�J VICE MAYOR LAUREN FURTADO CHAIRMAN PRO TEM ERIC JABLIN ZCILMAN DA CLARK COUNCILMAN C RL SABATELLO ATTEST: CINDY HAVEY, ADMINIS'T`RATIVE ASSISTANT TO THE CITY MANAGER •