City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: JUNE 17, 2015
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Resolution Establishing an Ad Hoc Combined Sewer System Plan Stakeholder Group. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
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ISSUE: Consideration of a Resolution Establishing an Ad Hoc Combined Sewer System Plan Stakeholder Group.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
(1) Adopt the resolution to establish the Ad Hoc Combined Sewer System Plan Stakeholder Group (Attachment 1).
(2) Request the City Manager appoint members to the Stakeholder Group as detailed in this memorandum.
BACKGROUND: On May 26, 2015, City Council conducted a work session with staff to establish a short list of three Combined Sewer System control technologies and strategies for further evaluation and refinement of feasibility and cost. Ultimately, the City must propose one primary combined sewer system control strategy to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VDEQ) by August 2016 in order to meet its permit requirements. At the work session, Council requested creation of a stakeholder group to provide input to staff as it further refines the three short-listed strategies, including implications for the City's budget and how the primary strategy will accomplish the City's environmental goals and permit requirements while minimizing impacts to the community. Staff is also continuing additional community outreach efforts on a parallel track in order to present initial community input to the Stakeholder Group once it convenes later this summer.
DISCUSSION: Staff is recommending a 13-member Ad Hoc Combined Sewer System Plan Stakeholder Group (Stakeholder Group). The group will meet on an as-needed basis, but at least quarterly and would begin with monthly meetings this summer. Initial meetings of greater frequency will allow the Stakeholder Group to become fully informed on the Combined Sewer System, including the new regulatory requirements that require the City to update its existing Long Term Control Plan in order to meet required reductions in combined sewer discharges.
The proposed charge of work for the Stakeholder Group would be as follows:
a. Provide staff of Transportation and Environmental Services (T&ES), Management & Budget (OMB), Office of Historic Alexandria (OHA), Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities (RPCA) and AlexRenew with recommendations on how a primary combined sewer system control strategy can accomplish the City's environmental goals and permit requirements while minimizing impacts to the community;
b. Review and monitor the preparation of the Long Term Control Plan Update, including ongoing permit and other regulatory issues, engineering and analysis of potential locations of future combined sewer infrastructure facilities, and consideration of an implementation plan schedule and funding strategy;
c. Serve as a central information-receiving/dissemination body related to the City's Long Term Control Plan Update;
d. Receive input from the public during development of the Long Term Control Plan Update.
Upon consideration of Council feedback at the May 26 work session and the complexity of this issue, staff is proposing an Ad Hoc Stakeholder Group comprised of citizens who may be significantly impacted by future infrastructure investments related to the Combined Sewer System, who have relevant professional experience, or who are members of key City Commissions whose scope of responsibility may overlap with this project. Membership of the group is proposed to be appointed by the City Manager based on the following categories:
a. Two members nominated by the Old Town Civic Association
b. One member who is a resident of Hunting Point or Porto Vecchio
c. One member nominated by the Carlyle Community Council
d. One member who is a resident of the Carlyle area community
e. Two "at large" members from who have engineering, environmental, public finance or related knowledge and experience
f. One member nominated by the Chamber of Commerce
g. One member who is nominated by a local environmental advocacy group
h. One member nominated by the Environmental Policy Commission
i. One member nominated by the Park and Recreation Commission
j. One member nominated by the Alexandria Archaeological Commission
k. One member nominated by the Budget and Fiscal Affairs Advisory Committee
T&ES will provide primary staff to the Stakeholder Group with support from OMB, RPCA and OHA as needed. In addition, staff from Alexandria Renew Enterprises will provide supplementary support during the Stakeholder Group meetings. The subsequent evaluation of the short-list of combined sewer control strategies will be conducted in close coordination with AlexRenew, which may end up owning and/or operating future combined sewer infrastructure facilities. Staff also proposes to involve representatives from the National Park Service in Stakeholder Group meetings as there is the potential for impacts to Jones Point Park.
Upon approval by City Council and followed by outreach to potential members, the City Manager will appoint the Stakeholder Group members in time to allow the first meeting to occur by late summer 2015. Pursuant to City Code Section 2.4.8, temporary committees can be created for a term no longer than one year from the date of its initial meeting. City Council can extend the term of a temporary committee for additional one-year terms, up to a total duration of three years. Staff proposes that the Stakeholder Group continue until at least August 23, 2016, which is when the Long Term Control Plan Update is due to VDEQ.
FISCAL IMPACT: The approved FY2016-FY2025 CIP includes $93.3 million for sanitary sewers, including Combined Sewer System (CSS) Permit Compliance and Combined Sewer Separation Projects. However, this is only a portion of the funding ultimately needed for compliance with VDEQ mandates. The Long Term Control Plan will make more specific recommendations on funding strategies, an implementation schedule and costs for the primary and complementary strategies to be included in the Long Term Control Plan.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Resolution
STAFF:
Emily A. Baker, Acting Deputy City Manager
Yon Lambert, AICP, Director, Transportation & Environmental Services
Lance Mallamo, Director, Office of Historic Alexandria
Morgan Routt, Acting Director, Office of Management and Budget
James Spengler, Director, Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities