City of Alexandria, Virginia
________________
MEMORANDUM
DATE: JANUARY 3, 2018
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Public Hearing, Second Reading, and Final Passage of an Ordinance to amend Article C (STORMWATER UTILITY) of Chapter 6 (WATER AND SEWER) of Title 5 (TRANSPORTATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES). [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
BODY
_________________________________________________________________
ISSUE: Consideration of an amendment to the Stormwater Utility Fee to provide a waiver to cemeteries.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council hold the public hearing and adopt 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 letters to non-profits and faith-based properties, to include privat...
Click here for full text