Title
Resolution to Petition the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner for the City of Ann Arbor FY20 Tree Planting Project in the Huron River Green Infrastructure Drainage District (Total Cost: $400,000.00; City’s Apportionment: $400,000.00)
Memorandum
Attached for your approval is a resolution to petition the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner (WCWRC) to undertake a project to design and implement stormwater control measures in the City through a Citywide Tree Planting Project.
These improvements will reduce the amount of stormwater entering the City's stormwater piping network and reduce contaminant loading to the downstream creeks and the Huron River. The proposed improvements will improve water quality and reduce localized flooding in the project areas. The trees will be planted during the 2020 fiscal year (Fall 2019 and Spring 2020).
The Huron River is subject to a total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) restriction by the State of Michigan for suspended solids, E. coli and phosphorous. Since the project focus is on water quality improvement, the project is eligible for low-interest (2.0%) State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan funding. This project has been included on the Project Priority List (PPL) for SRF loan funding, and has been classified as a "green project," which may result in a portion of loan forgiveness.
A formal petition from the City is required to move this project to implementation. The Huron River Green Infrastructure Drainage District is an established Chapter 20 County Drain. Therefore, the work to implement control measures falls under the jurisdiction of the WCWRC. As an established drain, the costs of the project are assessed to the governmental entities within the drainage district area. The total cost of this project is estimated at $400,000.00. The City’s apportionment of this drainage district is 100% of the district. Therefore, the City’s share will be $400,000.00.
As the WCWRC will be assessing the City over a maximum of 20 years for this project, the City will not have to expend the full cost of this project at the time of construction. Rather, the reimbursement of the WCWRC will be paid over the financing period, with installments not-to-exceed $24,500.00 per year. The first payment will be included in the proposed Storm Water Fund Operation and Maintenance Budget for FY20 and subsequent payments will be included in the annual stormwater budget submittals. The resolution authorizes the annual payment to the County for this project from the Stormwater Fund (Fund 0069) pending annual budget approvals by Council.
Budget Impact: The proposed work completed through this petition continues the City’s Street Tree Planting Program. The funding for the initial installment will be included in the FY20 Stormwater Fund operation and maintenance budget; however the petition must be filed with the WCWRC to initiate the project so as to be ready for planting in the fall of 2019.
Sustainability Framework: The proposed work completed under this petition furthers the Sustainable Systems, Clean Air and Water, and Healthy Ecosystems goals of the City’s Sustainability Framework.
Staff
Prepared by: Jennifer Lawson, Water Quality Manager
Reviewed by: Craig Hupy, Public Services Area Administrator
Approved by: Howard Lazarus, City Administrator
Body
Whereas, The State of Michigan has established a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for phosphorus and E. coli in the Huron River;
Whereas, The TMDLs affect the Huron River Green Infrastructure Drainage District;
Whereas, The City Council wants the City to file a petition to clean out, relocate, widen, deepen, straighten, extend, tile, interconnect, or otherwise improve the Huron River Green Infrastructure Drainage District with the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner, pursuant to Section 482 of Chapter 20 of the Drain Code of 1956 (MCL 280.482); and
Whereas, It is the desire of the City Council to have the Mayor and Clerk sign and file the necessary petition, in the form attached to this resolution, with the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner;
RESOLVED, The City Council hereby determines to proceed with the proposed project for the Huron River Green Infrastructure Drainage District;
RESOLVED, The Mayor and Clerk be hereby authorized and directed to execute such petition for and on behalf of the City and to file the same with the Water Resources Commissioner of the County of Washtenaw;
RESOLVED, The City Council hereby consent to the location of the proposed clean out, relocation, widening, deepening, straightening, extending, tiling, interconnecting or otherwise improving the Huron River Green Infrastructure Drainage District within the limits of the City and the assessment of a portion of the cost of such improvements, so located, against the City; and
RESOLVED, That the assessment (approximately $400,000.00, plus interest) will be paid in twenty annual installments not to exceed $24,500.00/annually with the first payment from the proposed Storm Water Fund Operation and Maintenance Budget for FY20 and subsequent payments from the Stormwater Fund (Fund 0069) pending annual budget approvals by Council.