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File #: 20-0821    Version: 1 Name: 7/6/20 Stormwater Services with Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner's Office
Type: Resolution Status: Passed
File created: 7/6/2020 In control: City Council
On agenda: 7/6/2020 Final action: 7/6/2020
Enactment date: 7/6/2020 Enactment #: R-20-242
Title: Resolution to Fund Stormwater Services with the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner ($320,000.00 Annually)

Title

Resolution to Fund Stormwater Services with the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner ($320,000.00 Annually)

Memorandum

The City of Ann Arbor and the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner (WCWRC) have a long successful history of collaboration.  The Huron River Pollution Abatement projects, which lead to the removal of non-residential illicit connections from the stormwater system, which was one of the earlier joint projects, began in 1987.  This collaboration has continued with joint projects like Olsen Park, Malletts Creek Restoration Project, Illicit Connection Detection and Elimination Program (IDEP), demonstration rain gardens, Mary Doyle Park and Wetlands Restoration and Allen’s Creek Stormwater Improvements.  Each of these joint projects have received grant or loan support which has been administered by the County.

 

The success of much of the City’s Stormwater programming and capital improvements has been from a continued collaboration of stormwater activities, including low interest State Revolving Fund loans in to construct stormwater improvements across the entire City. 

The attached resolution would approve a service contract for $320,000.00 annually for 5 years, from FY2021 through FY2026 with the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner to fund a portion of a full-time County employee (0.5 FTE) to provide stormwater services which will benefit the City, including applications and administration of grants and loans, project coordination and miscellaneous services.  The contract will also fund green infrastructure maintenance coordination and management through a full-time County employee.  Additionally, it would fund the rain garden services program, including rain garden outreach and education with a full-time County employee. 

 

Budget/Fiscal Impact:  Funding is available in the approved FY21 System’s Planning Stormwater Operations and Maintenance budget and the approved FY21 WWTP Operations and Maintenance budget.  Additional contracted years would be subject to funding approval in subsequent years’ budgets.

Staff

Prepared by:    Jennifer Lawson, Water Quality Manager

Reviewed by:   Craig Hupy, Public Services Administrator

Approved by:   Tom Crawford, Interim City Administrator

 

Whereas, The City of Ann Arbor has a long-standing history of successful collaboration with the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner;

 

Whereas, It is desirable to continue this collaboration;

 

Whereas, Stormwater and flooding issues have become a priority for the City, resulting in an increased level of service and work effort being required of Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner;

 

Whereas, The City of Ann Arbor and the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner have successfully collaborated on a 10-year program that provided stormwater services to the City, including applications and administration of grants and loans, project coordination and miscellaneous services;

 

Whereas, It is beneficial to the environment and the community to install rain gardens and green infrastructure to promote stormwater infiltration, reduce stormwater volumes, and clean stormwater;

 

Whereas, Installing well-maintained, attractive City-owned and managed rain gardens and green infrastructure provide a visible advertisement for others to install rain gardens on their own property;

 

Whereas, A rain garden and green infrastructure program fits the need for both entities to engage in public involvement, public participation, public education and post-construction stormwater best management practices under the NPDES stormwater permitting program;

 

Whereas, Funding for these services is available in the approved FY 2021 WWTP Operations and Maintenance budget & the approved FY 2021 System’s Planning Stormwater Operations and Maintenance budget and from subsequent years’ budgets if so approved by Council; and

 

Whereas, In consideration of the premises and of the mutual undertakings of the parties and in conformity with applicable law, the City and the County agree that the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner’s Office shall provide resources and expertise required to administer the Stormwater Services, in collaboration with the City of Ann Arbor, based on attached work plan - Exhibit A;

 

Resolved, That Council approves a service contract to the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner for an amount of $320,000.00 in FY21 to provide stormwater services which will benefit the City;

 

Resolved, That the City Administrator be directed to approve a service contract with the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner for staff support for stormwater services which will benefit the City, including applications and administration of grants and loans, project coordination and miscellaneous services, for an annual amount of $320,000.00, beginning in FY21 and through FY26 subject to the appropriation of funds; and

 

Resolved, That the City Administrator be authorized to take all necessary actions to implement this resolution.