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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - November 18, 1998 (64)AGENDA TITLE: Authorize Issuance of Request for Proposals for G -Area Drainage Study and Authorize City Manager to Make Organizational Changes and Budget Amendments to Place Storm Drainage Responsibilities within Wastewater Utility (No Increase in Budget) MEETING DATE: November 18, 1998 PREPARED BY: Public Works Director RECOMMENDED ACTION: That the City Council authorize issuance of a request for proposals for the G -Area storm drainage study and authorize the City Manager to make organizational changes and budget amendments to place storm drainage responsibilities within the Wastewater Utility with no increase in the total budget. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Development within the service area of the G -Basin is proceeding rapidly and the temporary basin needs to be expanded in the near future. However, the size of the service area (880 acres) is larger than the maximum area (100 to 200 acres) recommended by drainage professionals for the traditional design methods used by the City. The G -Basin will also be the site of the future DeBenedetti Youth Sports Complex. Given the high cost of drainage facilities and the impact of providing a basin within a sports complex, staff recommends that a study be performed by a consulting engineering firm specializing in drainage design. Upon approval, staff will prepare a "Request for Proposals" describing the issues and the design services to be performed and solicit proposals from qualified firms. Upon review of the proposals received and selection of a consultant, staff will bring a contract and budget back to the City Council for approval early in 1999. The second action involves internal responsibilities and budget matters. Federal and State regulations now undergoing their final public review clearly describe urban runoff collection and disposal as a water -quality issue rather than the traditional "flood control" issue. "Storm" water is already covered under the City's wastewater ordinance. Presently, overall management and budgeting for drainage is included in the Street Division and Street Fund, both in the Public Works Department. The proposed change will place these under the Wastewater Utility, also in the Public Works Department. There will be no change in day-to-day maintenance and operation responsibilities. Responsibility for regulatory compliance will clearly fall under the Wastewater Division where staff is already familiar with wastewater issues, and, in fact, already shares this work with the Street and Engineering divisions. The cost of storm drainage operations and maintenance, approximately $228,000 this year, will be transferred from the Street Fund to the Wastewater Fund. Capital expansion projects will still be funded by dedicated development impact mitigation fee funds, but will be accounted for in the Wastewater Fund rather than the Street Fund. FUNDING: None needed. There is no increase in the budget due to this change. A"AA Icy ► Richard C. Prim 6r. Public Works Director RCP/lm cc: Water/Wastewater Superintendent Street Superintendent APPROVED: H. Dixon Flynn -- Cityl4anager Cgbasin.doc 11/10/98 do