City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: APRIL 19, 2017
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
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Consideration of a Resolution to Affirm Alexandria’s Commitment to Complete its Corrective Actions on Combined Sewer Outfalls by 2027. [ROLL-CALL VOTE] THIS ITEM HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN BY STAFF.
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ISSUE: Resolution to affirm Alexandria’s commitment to complete its corrective actions on combined sewer outfalls by July 1, 2027.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council adopt this resolution.
DISCUSSION: The 2017 General Assembly Session considered several bills that sought to set specific dates for the City to complete its corrective work on its CSO outfalls. For the most part, these dates, some of which ranged from 2020 to 2025, are not technically feasible to meet, as indicated by engineers from two consulting firms with significant CSO experience. The legislation that was passed in the final days of the General Assembly Session would require the City to complete all work by 2025.
Since meeting this deadline would have been impossible, the City asked the Governor to propose amendments to the bills at the General Assembly’s Reconvened (Veto) Session on April 5. The Governor did so, but the Virginia Senate rejected the Governor’s amendments. Although the Virginia House of Delegates unanimously accepted the Governor’s amendment in regards to the 2027 completion date, without Senate concurrence the House action had no effect.
As a result, the City has asked the Governor to veto the bills (HB 2382 and SB 898). If vetoed, the City has assured the Governor that Alexandria will still move as quickly as possible to complete its CSO work, and plans to meet the July 1, 2027 deadline proposed by the Governor. The attached resolution will formally affirm that commitment.
ATTACHMENT: Resolution to Affirm Alexandria’s Commitment to Complete its Corrective Actions on Combined Sewer Outfalls by 2027
STAFF: Bernard Caton, Legislative Director