Title
Storm and Surface Water Plan
Recommended Action
Provide feedback on Storm and Surface Water Plan scoping.
Staff Contact:
Laura Keehan, Senior Planner, 360.753.8321
Background and Analysis:
The City's Storm and Surface Water Utility was formed in 1986 with the following mission: "To provide services that minimize flooding, maintain or improve water quality, and protect or enhance aquatic habitat”. Since 2003 the Utility has been guided by the City of Olympia Storm and Surface Water Plan (see hyperlink). While the mission still holds true, the past decade has seen changes in stormwater management technology and techniques, increased state regulatory oversight, and shifts in weather and climate change impacts. A new Storm and Surface Water Plan is needed to guide the Utility over the next ten years.
Olympia’s recently updated Comprehensive Plan provides a strong vision and substantial guidance on the community’s aspirations and expectations for Olympia’s water resources and natural environment. A subset of storm and surface water related goals and policies from the plan are attached (Attachment 1).
In 2014, staff and the UAC took the first steps in initiating an update to the Storm and Surface Water Plan by developing a list of policy questions to address in the plan (Attachment 2). The questions are complex and will require input from the community regarding their preferences and priorities. The overarching question posed for this plan is “Given the amount of work that is regulatorily required, what are the community’s expectations in the three areas of the Utility’s mission for the next decade?”, and importantly, how would those affect stormwater utility rates.
The Utility is prepared to update the Storm and Surface Water Plan over the upcoming year and anticipates Council approval in early 2017. The UAC will provide an important role in advising staff on policy direction and review of the draft plan. At the March meeting staff will present draft plan goals and objectives and discuss ideas for the planning process and timeline.
Financial Impact:
The Storm and Surface Water Utility will hire a financial consultant to update the financial strategy for the Utility, evaluate the impacts of projected operating costs, capital needs, and policy initiatives, and also evaluate the existing stormwater rate structure and potential alternatives.
Attachment 1: Comprehensive Plan Goals and Policies
Attachment 2: Storm and Surface Water Plan - Policy Questions