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
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CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING, 3/25/99
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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
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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
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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
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