City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: JANUARY 3, 2018
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
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Introduction and First Reading. Consideration of Passage on First Reading of an Ordinance to amend Article C (STORMWATER UTILITY) of Chapter 6 (WATER AND SEWER) of Title 5 (TRANSPORTATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES).
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ISSUE: Consideration of an amendment to the Stormwater Utility Fee to provide a waiver to cemeteries.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council consider the ordinance on first reading and set it for second reading, public hearing and final passage on Saturday, January 20, 2018.
BACKGROUND: On May 4, 2017, City Council adopted a Stormwater Utility Fee to provide a dedicated funding source to more equitably distribute the increasing costs of recent state and federal Chesapeake Bay protection mandates. The mandates require the implementation of costly infrastructure associated with stormwater management, as enforced through the City's Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit, and created the need for the fee.
Virginia Code 15.2-2114(C), which is the basis for the City Stormwater utility fee ordinance in City Code Section 5-6-233, includes specific conditions under which localities may provide full or partial waivers to stormwater utility fees. Virginia Code 15.2-2114(E) notes that localities may provide full or partial waivers to cemeteries. Virginia's Code is consistent with how many other states treat cemeteries, which are largely pervious. Alexandria did not incorporate a waiver for cemeteries in the initial adoption of its stormwater utility ordinance.
DISCUSSION: During the period of intense public engagement following adoption of the ordinance, staff held meetings with civic associations, commissions, committees, land owners, and partnerships. Staff has also sent lette...
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