City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: OCTOBER 17, 2018
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Resolution to Establish a Stakeholder Advisory Group in Support of RiverRenew. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
BODY
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ISSUE: Consideration of a Resolution to establish a Stakeholder Advisory Group in support of RiverRenew, the combined sewer mitigation program being led by Alexandria Renew Enterprises.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
(1) Adopt the resolution to establish a Stakeholder Advisory Group in support of
RiverRenew (Attachment); and
(2) Request the City Manager and General Manager of Alexandria Renew Enterprises to
appoint members to the Stakeholder Advisory Group as detailed in this memorandum.
BACKGROUND: On June 29, 2018 the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality approved the Long Term Control Plan Update (LTCPU) prepared by Alexandria Renew Enterprises (AlexRenew) and the City of Alexandria. The LTCPU recommended a plan to remediate Alexandria’s four existing combined sewer outfalls, which features a tunnel system coupled with upgrades to AlexRenew’s Water Resource Recovery Facility to treat the additional flows delivered during rain events. In July 2018, the recommended plan was branded as RiverRenew to succinctly communicate the intent and outcomes of the program. AlexRenew, in partnership with the City of Alexandria, will lead the implementation of RiverRenew per the Outfall Transfer Agreement executed between AlexRenew and the City of Alexandria on May 1, 2018.
AlexRenew, in partnership with City staff, will advance the concept outlined in the LTCPU to complete the program by the Virginia legislative mandate of July 1, 2025. Due to the potential impacts associated with implementing RiverRenew, staff is proposing to establish a Stakeholder Advisory Group to review and monitor the program’s progress.
DISCUSSION: Staff is recommending a 13-member RiverRenew Stakeholder Advisory Group, with 13 voting members including a Chairperson. The proposed charge of work for the Stakeholder Advisory Group would be as follows:
(1) Review and monitor the progress of RiverRenew through the preliminary design, procurement, and construction phases;
(2) Communicate the progress of RiverRenew to the community by leveraging existing networks and serve as spokespeople for RiverRenew;
(3) Serve as a central information-receiving/dissemination body for RiverRenew;
(4) Review and provide recommendations to minimize community impacts.
Staff is proposing that members of the Stakeholder Advisory Group be a balanced and diverse group of citizens representing neighborhoods, businesses, and environmental groups who commit to being active and engaged in the stakeholder process. Particular focus is given to neighborhoods most directly impacted by the proposed construction. Membership of the group is proposed to be based on the following categories:
(1) One (1) member nominated by the North Old Town Independent Citizens’
Association
(2) One (1) resident or business near Tobacco Quay, Oronoco Waterfront Residences
or Rivergate
(3) One (1) member nominated by the Old Town Civic Association
(4) One (1) resident, business, or non-profit near South Royal/Green Streets
(5) One (1) member nominated by the Eisenhower Partnership
(6) One (1) resident or business of the Carlyle community or Duke Street corridor
(7) Two (2) at-large residents with an interest in the RiverRenew project
(8) One (1) member nominated by the Environmental Policy Commission
(9) One (1) member nominated by an Alexandria business group
(10) One (1) member nominated by the Park and Recreation Commission
(11) Two (2) residents with engineering, environmental, financial or related experience
(resident cannot be a member of any firm involved with or in pursuit of work
associated with RiverRenew)
The AlexRenew Board will also consider the creation of this Stakeholder Advisory Group at its October 16, 2018 meeting.
Identification of potential members of the Stakeholder Advisory Group will be conducted via nominations, discussions at public meetings, print media, online (via the RiverRenew and City of Alexandria websites and social media), City’s eNews service, as well as community and business association meetings. It is proposed to conduct outreach to identify potential members between November 2018 and January 2019. Once a pool of applicants has been identified, the AlexRenew General Manager and City Manager will select members and appoint a Chairperson. The group will meet on an as-needed basis, anticipated to be monthly, with meetings starting in January 2019. AlexRenew will provide primary staff to the Stakeholder Advisory Group with support from the City.
Pursuant to City Code Section 2.4.8, temporary committees can be created for a term no longer than one (1) year from the date of its initial meeting. City Council can extend the term of a temporary committee for additional one (1) year terms, up to a total duration of three (3) years. Staff proposes that the Stakeholder Advisory Group continue for one-year following its establishment. In January 2020, the Stakeholder Advisory Group membership will be revisited and updated as needed.
FISCAL IMPACT: The LTCPU estimates construction costs associated with RiverRenew between $350 million and $550 million. As preliminary engineering progresses, more refined opinions of probable cost will be developed. The cost of the RiverRenew project will be financed by AlexRenew.
ATTACHMENT: Resolution
STAFF:
Karen L. Pallansch, P.E., AlexRenew General Manager
Emily A. Baker, Deputy City Manager