City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: MARCH 19, 2024 FROM: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION RENEWING THE RATE FOR COUNTY SERVICE AREA 152 TO FUND ACTIVITIES TO COMPLY WITH THE CITY’S NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM PERMIT FOR MUNICIPAL STORM SEWER SYSTEM DISCHARGES FOR FISCAL YEARS 2024/25 THROUGH 2028/29 ISSUE:
Adopt a resolution renewing the current assessment within County Service Area 152 in the City of Riverside for the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System Permit at an annual rate of $10.00 per benefit assessment unit for Fiscal Years 2024/25 through 2028/29.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council adopt a resolution renewing the current assessment within County Service Area 152 in the City of Riverside for the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System Permit at an annual rate of $10.00 per benefit assessment unit for Fiscal Years 2024/25 through 2028/29.
BACKGROUND:
County Service Area (CSA) 152 was formed and established pursuant to Riverside County Ordinance number 573 in November 1991 to establish a funding mechanism to meet the permit requirements for the unincorporated portions of the County. Municipalities were also permitted to annex into CSA 152, as did the City of Riverside along with the cities of Corona, Desert Hot Springs, Lake Elsinore, La Quinta, Moreno Valley, Murrieta, Norco, Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, and San Jacinto.
The City assessment of $10.00 per benefit assessment unit (BAU) is consistent with the County established annual assessment per BAU. The standard BAU is based on a single-family residential parcel of 7,200 square feet with “typical” impervious surfaces consistent with a single-family residence, i.e. rooftop, driveway, walkways, etc. Institutional parcels (schools, churches, hospitals) are assessed 9 BAUs per acre and Industrial/Commercial Parcels are assessed 12 BAUs per acre. Undeveloped parcels are assumed to have no stormwater runoff and are not assessed.
DISCUSSION:
The process for the CSA 152 assessment requires the City Council to adopt a Resolution renewing the $10.00 per BAU rate for Fiscal Years 2024/25 through 2028/29. The County of Riverside will accept a multi-year resolution. Adoption of this resolution reaffirms the same BAU rate used during the previous fiscal year and these funds are integral to funding programs necessary to comply with NPDES MS4 Permit requirements.
Funds collected under the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) program pay for several programs including storm drain maintenance, street sweeping, stormwater monitoring, and compliance with Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) requirements for the Santa Ana River (bacteria) and Canyon Lake/Lake Elsinore (nutrients).
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
The programs described in this report align with Strategic Priority 4 - Environmental Stewardship and Strategic Priority 6 – Infrastructure, Mobility & Connectivity and Goals 4.2 and 6.2 as detailed below:
4.2 - Sustainably manage local water resources to maximize reliability and advance water reuse to ensure safe, reliable, and affordable water to our community.
6.2 - Maintain, protect, and improve assets and infrastructure within the City’s built environment to ensure and enhance reliability, resiliency, sustainability, and facilitate connectivity.
Furthermore, storm drain maintenance aligns with each of the five Cross-Cutting Threads:
Community Trust – Continuation of the CSA 152 assessment fee will allow for the City to continue to maintain the storm drain system. Storm drain system maintenance serves the public interest and supports clean water in the community and proper flow of water during significant rain events. In addition to storm drain maintenance, these fees fund other NPDES MS4 permit programs and projects that are designed to improve local water quality.
Equity –The NPDES MS4 Permit will require the City to protect and improve water quality in our local waterways. The CSA 152 assessment fee allows the City to implement programs and projects so that residents can enjoy the beneficial uses of local waterways. Improvements in water quality will benefit the entire community.
Fiscal Responsibility – The CSA 152 assessment funds programs that are necessary for NPDES MS4 permit requirements. Funds from the assessment are allocated to permit programs such as stormwater inspections, storm drain maintenance, street sweeping, stormwater sampling/monitoring, and TMDL compliance. Compliance projects will be chosen based on ability to meet permit requirements while being as fiscally responsible as possible.
Innovation – Past projects have included partnerships with other agencies to collectively aim toward improving water quality in our local waterways. CSA 152 facilitates future collaborations which will make projects attainable. Innovative strategies will continue to be used for projects and programs as they relate to the NPDES MS4 permit.
Sustainability & Resiliency – CSA 152 will continue to fund projects and permit compliance activities which have a direct impact on the City’s ability to preserve and protect the natural resource of the Santa Ana River and other local waterways.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The estimated fiscal impact of this action is annual revenue of approximately $1,500,000 for Fiscal Years 2024/25 through 2028/29. Revenue will be deposited in the NPDES Storm Drain Fund, County Service Area 152 revenue account number 0000260-369001.
Prepared by: Stormy Osifeso, Environmental Analyst
Approved by: Gilbert Hernandez, Public Works Director Certified as to
availability of funds: Kristie Thomas, Finance Director/Assistant Chief Financial Officer Approved by: Kris Martinez, Assistant City Manager Approved as to form: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney
Attachment: Resolution
CSA-152 Assessment Renewal ● Page 2