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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDTS-07-089 - Stormwater Management Program & Funding Review~ ~, ~ T~ E Development & Technical Services Report To: Finance & Corporate Services Committee Date of Meeting: June 18, 2007 Submitted By: Grant Murphy, Director of Engineering Prepared By: Carrie Curtis, Senior Project Manager (741-2419} Ward(s~ Involved: All Wards Date of Report: May 23, 2007 Report No.: DTS-07-089 Subject: STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM AND FUNDING REVIEW -REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING RECOMMENDATION: That Council approve the request for an extension to TSH Associates purchase order for an enhanced level of public consultation for the Stormwater Management Program and Funding Review in the amount of $24,500; and further, That an additional $8,000 be allocated to the overall study budget for additional public consultation works and completion of the project. BACKGROUND: Council approved the award of engineering services to TSH Associates in June 2005 to conduct the Stormwater Management Program and Funding Review (formerly the Stormwater Utility Feasibility Study). As part of the study a Stormwater Advisory Committee (SWAG) was formed consisting of various stakeholders from across the City. Based on the input received from the SWAG, additional background work was required and further additional public consultation will be necessary to complete the study and make recommendations. This is a City wide study and is being conducted jointly with the City of Waterloo. REPORT: In November 2004, Council approved Engineering staff to proceed with undertaking a Storm Drainage Utility Feasibility Study collaboratively with the City of Waterloo as part of the Shared Services Initiative. Totten Sims Hubicki Associates (TSH) was retained in June 2005 to conduct the study following a formal consultant selection process. The costs for the project to date have been shared equally by both Kitchener and Waterloo. The City of Kitchener currently maintains approximately 690 km of storm sewer, 10,400 catchbasins, 73 ponds, l7 oil grit separators and 95 km of watercourse. The total asset value of the Storm Drainage System is approximately $300,000,000. This represents a significant investment to the City and, as such, inspection, maintenance and capital expenditures are required to ensure the system functions as required. The City of Kitchener's current stormwater (SWM} program consists of four general components: operation and maintenance, environmental compliance, capital improvement projects and planning and management. The purpose for undertaking the study is to identify the City's current level of service, compare this to the legislated requirements and guidelines, develop a suggested level of service and investigate and recommended a preferred funding source for the suggested program. In May, 2007 City staff presented the interim findings of the study which identified the City's current level of service and identified a suggested level of service based on Federal and Provincial legislative requirements and guidelines. In addition to the technical work completed to date, significant public engagement has been undertaken. This has included development of a stormwater Advisory Committee (SWAG} comprised of stakeholders from across the City of Kitchener and Waterloo. Representation has included the school boards and universities, the Chamber of Commerce, other business representation and members of the public. Five meetings have been held with the SWAG as well as individual meetings with the various stakeholders to identify issues and concerns. A Public Open House was also held for the general public to provide comment and insight as well. As a result of the input received, the study name was changed from the stormwater Utility Feasibility Study to the stormwater Management Program and Funding Review study. The next components of the study will deal with investigation of funding mechanisms to support a recommended level of service. This will include reconvening the stormwater Advisory Committee and further consultation with the public. Some of the funding mechanisms that will be investigated include taxes, fees and special charges or other means such as partnerships, grants, etc. Following this investigation and further public consultation, a report will be brought forward to Council identifying the various options and their impacts. A recommendation on a preferred funding alternative will then be made. In order to complete the study with an appropriate level of public consultation and input and considering the comments received from the SWAG to date, staff are requesting additional funds to undertake further public consultation to complete the study and make final recommendations. City of Waterloo recently committed an additional $20,000 to the study to facilitate study completion. Kitchener staff are requesting funding in the same amount to do the same in a collaborative means with the City of Waterloo. A summary of the financial implications for this project are provided in the Financial Implications section of this report. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: Requested increase in P00600285 (TSH) $24,500.00 City of Waterloo's portion, to be invoiced -$12,500.00 Total funding needed for PO increase $12,500.00 Requested additional funds for public consultation and completion of project to be added into index code 861351. TOTAL REQUEST (funding from SWM Implementation 855615) (Balance of SWM Implementation Index 855615 as at May 24, 2007 *Note: these numbers do not include GST Carrie Curtis, P. Eng. Senior Project Manager Grant Murphy, P. Eng. Director of Engineering $ 8,000.00 $20,500.00 $610,556.23)