HomeMy WebLinkAboutDTS-07-150 - Stormwater Management Program & Funding Review - Public Consultation Work Plan~R ..~.
Developmen~&
Technical Services
Report To: Development and Technical Services Committee
Date of Meeting: September 24, 2007
Submitted By: Grant Murphy, P.Eng., Director of Engineering Services
Prepared By: Kevin Mick, P.Eng., Design Engineer -Engineering Services,
Michael May, Director of Corporate Communications and
Marketing
Wards} Involved: All Wards
Date of Report: September 17, 2007
Report No.: DTS-07-150
Subject: STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM AND FUNDING
REVIEW -PUBLIC CONSULTATION WORK PLAN
RECOMMENDATION:
For information only.
BACKGROUND:
In June 2005, Council recommended the award of the Stormwater Management Program and
Funding Review to Totten Sims Hubicki which was to be conducted jointly with the City of
Waterloo. The study was undertaken to review the Cities' existing stormwater assets and its
existing stormwater programs; to identify a suggested level of service and recommend a
preferred funding mechanism to achieve this service level. As part of the study, a Stormwater
Advisory Committee (SWAG) was formed consisting of various stakeholders from across the
cities. Based on the input received from the SWAG and direction from Council in a report from
May 23 2007, additional public consultation is necessary to complete the study and make
recommendations. The purpose of this report is to present the public consultation work plan
and the subsequent steps required to complete the study.
REPORT:
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 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 Stormwater Management Program and Funding Review 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 of 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 June 2007, City staff requested that additional funding be allocated to undertake
further public consultation to complete the study and make final recommendations (DTS-07-
089).
In addition to the technical work completed to date, significant public engagement has already
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. Six 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.
Given the complexity of this project both Cities determined that it would be prudent to complete
additional public consultation prior to finalizing a preferred funding alternative. The public
consultation will involve focus groups, education efforts will involve printed materials, media
releases and articles.
The goals of the additional public consultation efforts are to; educate at a broad level the
general stormwater components and the current state of the stormwater program, gain public
feedback on potential funding options, and understand public attitudes and acceptability of
funding options.
Following these additional public consultation efforts, a report will be brought forward to Council
in March, 2008 identifying the various options and their impacts. A recommendation on a
preferred funding alternative will then be made.
The table below provides a description of major tasks for the additional public consultation
efforts and timelines associated with each.
Task Description Timeline
Materials Development Development of stakeholder profile for Mid-October, 2007
and Recruiting recruitment and recruitment approach
• Recruitment of participants
• Determine key questions and draft focus
rou uide
Focus Group Meetings Four focus group meetings with ten End of October/Early
participants in each November 2007
• Meeting will consist of; a short information
presentation about stormwater, exploration
of participant values related to stormwater
and opinions related to ways of achieving
sustainable fundin , and a discussions
about methods of communicating with the
communit about stormwater mana ement
Reporting Report on the findings of the focus group Mid-November 2007
meetin s
Development of Public Printed materials (bill inserts and October-November
Education Materials brochures) 2007 with release in
• Media release and articles early 2008
• Stormwater management display
• Enhanced web presence
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
Funding for the additional public consultation efforts were presented in a previous report (DTS-
07-089) and adopted by Council on June 25, 2007.
COMMUNICATIONS:
A Stormwater Advisory Committee (SWAG) was formed to provide input throughout the duration
of the study process. This committee is comprised of several stakeholders from the Cities of
Kitchener and Waterloo. An additional Public Information Centre was held to receive feedback
from the general public. Further public consultation will be conducted throughout the duration of
the study with assistance from the City's Communications Department.
CONCLUSION:
The public consultation process outlined in this report will provide City staff with additional input
from residents and stakeholders and will enable staff to recommend a preferred funding
alternative.
Kevin Mick, P. Eng.
Design Engineer
Grant Murphy, P. Eng.
Director of Engineering Services
Michael May
Director of Corporate
Communications and Marketing