HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 12/28/2021 - Memorandum From Theresa Connor Re: December 14, 2021 Work Session Summary - Stormwater Utility Overview
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PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
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M E M O R A N D U M
DATE: December 16, 2021
TO: Mayor Arndt and Councilmembers
FROM: Theresa Connor, Interim Utilities Director
THROUGH: Kelly DiMartino, Interim City Manager
RE: December 14, 2021 Work Session Summary Stormwater Utility Overview
On December 14, 2021, staff presented a high-level overview of the Stormwater Utility to City
Council as the last in a series of annual updates on each of the four incumbent utilities to assure
alignment with strategic direction and understanding of system needs for each of the utilities. All
Councilmembers attended virtually except for Councilmembers Ohlson and Peel who were
present at City Hall. Staff present included: Theresa Connor, Matt Fater, Ken Sampley, Susan
Strong, Lance Smith, and Heidi Hansen. The overview included a summary of customer
satisfaction survey results, the infrastructure system, projects and programs, challenges,
innovations, financial status, and a snapshot of the people who make the service happen.
Staff provided responses to questions from City Council on the Stormwater Utility Overview,
which encompassed:
differences between the floodplain and floodway,
clarification regarding treatment of storm runoff for water quality in older portions of the
stormwater system,
clarification regarding the prioritization and sequencing of stream rehabilitation projects,
financial considerations associated with downtown flood risks and capital improvement
projects,
discussion regarding the established 100-year flood level of protection,
actual and desired frequency of periodic updates of our stormwater master plans,
the breakdown in funding between CIP categories (i.e., flood control and Stream / River
Rehabilitation and Regional Water Quality BMPs),
and the overall stormwater capital improvement plan in terms of project costs relative to
the flood risk mitigated.
A majority of Councilmembers expressed general support for an out-of-cycle appropriation in
early 2022 to fund another stream rehabilitation project on Fossil Creek. Additional information
on this project will be provided as part of the appropriation request.
Councilmembers requested a more comprehensive work session on the Stormwater Utility
Capital Improvement Program in the first quarter of 2022 to further discuss stormwater policy
and financial considerations for flood mitigation and water quality. In addition, a follow-up
memo will be provided regarding the capital improvements associated with annexed areas.