HomeMy WebLinkAboutDTS-05-157 - Stormwater Utility Feasibility Study Update
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Report To:
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Date of Report:
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Subject:
Chair Weylie and Members DTS Committee
August 22, 2005
Robert Shamess
Robert Shamess
City Wide
August 11, 2005
DTS-05-157
RECOMMENDATION:
Stormwater Utility Feasibility Study Update
Joint Project with City of Waterloo
For Information Only
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
BACKGROUND:
REPORT:
On August 10, 2005 the Kick-off meeting for the Stormwater Utility Feasibility Study was held. In
total approximately 43 staff from both municipalities attend a 1 hour overview session during
which the purpose and objectives of the study were presented.
Approximately 20 staff from the City of Kitchener attended the Overview session representing all
departments. Staff attending the Kick-off Session were provided with information about the
nature of the problems related to stormwater, the difficulties in identifying the appropriate levels
of service for maintenance and capital stormwater works and as a result the difficulty in
obtaining appropriate levels of funding. Staff were able to ask questions of the consulting team
and those questions which required additional information or research were identified for latter
response from the appropriate team member. The consultants also presented a schedule of the
project (attached) and identified key deliverables and next steps.
From the project standpoint two important next steps were identified by the consultant. The first
were the internal sessions held with staff immediately following the overview session and the
second was the need for the creation of a Stormwater Advisory Committee.
The internal staff sessions were conducted by the consultant with staff familiar with the various
operations of the City. The purpose of these meetings was to ascertain to the greatest extent
possible how the City currently operates with respect to issues such as billing and the ability of
the program to be modified, how we process building permits and the timing of notifications to
utilities for billing, how much is allotted each year for capital improvements to the stormwater
system and what desirable level of service for stormwater maintenance should be assigned.
The second and perhaps more critical next step is the development of a City of Kitchener
Stormwater Advisory Committee (SWAG). This is a major component of the public
outreach/education aspects of the Feasibility Study. Ideally this group would be composed of
approximately 20 members from the community representing to the greatest extent possible all
key stakeholders and community members.
The purpose/mandate for the SWAC is to create a forum for key stakeholders and the project
Steering Committee to discuss the feasibility of creating of a stormwater utility, to identify issues
and to explore solutions that are right for the community. To further this mandate, participants
are asked to:
· Represent the views of their constituencies as best as they can; and
· Assist the project Steering Committee in its understanding of community goals and
issues through participation in a process of open dialogue and discussions.
The SWAC will provide advice to the project Steering Committee on all aspects of the study.
SWAC Objectives include providing advice and input on:
Establishing overall goals and priorities of the stormwater management program;
Identifying the problems, issues, and corresponding current and future needs of the
program;
Setting an affordable level of service to meet these needs;
Recommending a financing mechanism and rate structure that fairly distributes the
investment in the program throughout the community;
Developing and implementing a public education and outreach program on stormwater
issues; and
Assisting during briefings to the City Councils regarding recommendations on the
necessary funding to address stormwater needs in the community.
It is proposed that a total of 6 meetings will be scheduled at a convenient time and location in
order to ensure that all members can attend. The first session will be a joint session of both the
Kitchener and Waterloo committees and ideally would be held the week of October 17, 2005.
Staff will be advertising for the membership but will also request the assistance of the Mayor
and Council to either suggest to Community members who may be interested or to contact them
on the Steering Committee's behalf.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
Not applicable at this time.
COMMUNICATIONS:
Communitcations staff have been involved in the initial Kick-off Session and will play an active
role throughout the project assisting staff with the preparation of advertisements, information
packages for SWAC members, etc.
CONCLUSION:
For Information Only
Robert Shamess, P. Eng.
Director of Engineering