Minutes 1993 0315 - Laserfiche WebLink

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l Minutes - San Leandro City Council Meeting - March 15, 1993 Page - 8 - NEW BUSINESS (continued) Bob Taylor, Public Works Services Director, said the proposed Storm Water Utility Fee is in response to mandates from the State and Federal Governments. He said the Federal Clean Water Act and the State Water Quality Control Board placed requirements on cities -- one of which is that the City must have an NPDES Permit. He said under this Permit the City is required to do monitoring to establish base levels of the City storm water system. He said this was done jointly with all other agencies and cities in Alameda County. He noted Santa Clara County was the first county required to do this work; and, as a result, the City was able to save a considerable amount of money by using some of their methods. He said the new mandates require street sweeping one time per month for residential streets, and the City will be able to do this with additional funding provided through the Storm Water Utility Fee. He said there is also a regulation that the City must issue permits for certain types of businesses. He said the State Water Quality Control Board charges a $500 fee for businesses that must get a Permit. He said cities that use the NPDES Permit can perform the inspections at a reduced rate to the businesses of only $250, but some method of financing is required. He said the law also requires that the City inspect all storm drains on a regular basis to determine if illicit discharges into the storm drains are being made. The City must also have an educational program. He said all of these new requirements do not come with funds. He said the Storm Water Utility Fee is the most equitable way of financing the program, and almost every city in Alameda County is either in the process of putting together such a utility fee or already has one in place. Mayor Karp asked what the fines were for non-compliance. Mr. Taylor said they can be $10,000 per day or $10 per gallon based upon flow. Council Member Myers asked if private streets, such as mobilehome parks, which the City does not sweep, are included in the program. Mr. Taylor said only public streets are swept, but run-off from private properties goes into the system, and the City will work with those property owners to make sure they keep their streets clean. He said a co-efficient will be used based upon the full square footage of the property. Council Member Kerr said the report says funding requires that all activities associated with maintenance and collection of the storm water system be covered, as well as capital improvements. He asked whether these funds will be used to perform work over and above what's currently being done. Mr. Taylor said the Ordinance does not say what will be included in the Fee assessed. He said that will be determined at the Public Hearing, which is scheduled for April 19, 1993. He said this enabling Ordinance is written to say the fees may cover operating and capital costs. He said the fees will be set each year based upon budget needs.