Stormwater Utility ImplementationMEMORANDUM
July 1,2003
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
Stormwater Utility Implementation
July 2003 is the beginning of the City of Dubuque Stormwater Utility. Public Information
Officer Susan Gwiasda has provided the attached implementation update.
MCVM/jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Susan Gwiasda, Public Information Officer
UB E
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
Mike Van Milligen, City Manager
Susan Gwiasda, Public Information Officer
July 1,2003
Stormwater Utility Implementation Committee Update
Attached to this memo is a copy of the insert (purple copy) that will be mailed along with
the new utility bills. The new billing cycle will begin the second week in July. This is a
delay of one week, but will not impact revenue. Approximately every quarter there is a
"skip" week built into the billing process to allow for catch-up on meter reading.
Because a "skip" week was already planned for July, the committee decided to use this
week to make sure the new billing process was running smoothly.
Implementing the new bills the second week in July will better correspond with reminder
information being distributed about the new bills. The billing cycle is six weeks long,
with the first round of bills being distributed around July 12-13. The July issue of City
Focus is anticipated to arrive at residences by mid July.
The second attachment is a media release distributed today about the new format.
Also, the new utility bill information appears on CityChannel 8 and the City of Dubuque
website, and ads have been placed with the Telegraph Herald as reminders to the
public that their utility bill has a new look.
Last week, a training session was held for staff in Utility Billing, Engineering, Finance,
Information Services and Public Information to answer inquiries from the public during
the bill's initial debut. It is anticipated that phone calls may go to various departments
as citizens adjust to the new format and stormwater utility charge. A "cheat sheet" of
frequently asked questions was prepared and distributed at the training (final
attachment).
Ci~, l~mnager' s Offk:e
50 West 13th Sheet
Dubuque, Iowa 52001-4864
(563) 589-4110 phone
(563) 589-4149 fax
c~'mg~@ci~ctfdubuque.org
Contact:
Susan Gwiasda
Publiclnformation Officer
City ofDubuque
563/589-4151
MEDIA
July 1, 2003
RELEASE
Utility Bills Feature New Format
Beginning the second week of July, Dubuque residents and businesses will receive new' City of
Dubuque utility bills. In place of the old postcards, the new bills are letter-sized sheets of paper
and include a return envelope. The new bill has been designed to be easier to read with larger
type and more space to explain charges. Also, the new format is confidential and user-friendly.
The new bill includes a new utility charge. For the majority of Dubuque residents, the
stormwater utility fee will add $1.29 to their monthly balance. Dubuque businesses and non-
residential properties pay a fee based on the amount of hard surface on their property.
The stormwater utility fee will fund stormwater improvement projects, maintenance of existing
infrastructure, and administrative costs. Over the years, increasing amounts of stormwater nmoff
has overwhelmed storm sewers built decades ago. To redirect stormwater and alleviate flooding
problems, nearly $25 million in improvements have been recommended to keep more than 1,150
downtown, north-end and west-end homes and businesses safe during heavy rainfalls.
While the new bills may look different, the options for paying remain the same. Bill payments
may be brought to City Hall during regular office hours, dropped in the payment box outside
City Hall, paid at any local bank, mailed to City Hall or paid through direct debit.
For more information about the new utility bills, contact Utility Billing at 589-4144. For more
information about the stormwater utility, contact the Public Works/Engineering Division
at 589-4270.
Frequently Asked
Stormwater Utility questions
What is a Stormwater Utility?
The Stormwater Utility, functioning within the Public Works
Department, is responsible for the constmedon, reconstruction,
and maintenance of the City's stormwater drainage system, as weil
as the water quality aspects of the City's stormwater pollution
prevention program. The utility is supported, in part, with a user
fee. Al/fees collected for the stormwater utility will only be used
for stormwater management needs. The City of Dubuque also has
user fees for water, sunitary sewer, and garbage collection costs.
Am ! being charged for the amount of rain?
The stormwater utility fee is not based in any way on the mount
of rain that falls on your property. It is, however, related to the
stormwater that runs off your property. The mom impervious
surfaces on your property - surfaces that do not
readily absorb water and impede the natural infiltration of the rain
into the ground - the more stormwater will flow from your
property, resulting in more stormwater the City must safely
manage.
Why is this issue being addressed now?
Over the past decade, stormwater issues have become more of a
concern as a result of continued development throughout the City
and the frequency of heavy rainstorms. Hundreds of Dubuque
property owners have urged the City to immediately address
problems associated with stormwater. As a result, the City Council
has identified stormwater management as a priority and adopted the
utility fee to establish funding to implement solutions.
Does everyone pay?
Yes, all property owners in the City of Dubuque that have bard
(impervious) surfaces are charged a stormwater utility fee.
Why a new utility? Why not pay for stormwater
needs with property taxes?
· Properties should pay for stormwater based on their runoff
contribution. This means that if they contribute more runoff
they must also contribute more to managing the urnoff.
Property taxes are based on propeity value and have notifing
to do with the level of runoff contributed by the property;
· Property taxes currently pay for a number of City services
such as Police, Fire, Parks, Library, and others. Citizens only
require stormwater management when it rains. Therefore,
stormwater management, in most cities, is a low priority.
Over the past few years, the City Council has recognized
stormwater management as a priority. The utility fee
establishes the user fee as a dedicated funding source that can
only be utilized for stormwater management.
How was my fee determined?
It is based on the runoff contribution attributed to a property.
Runoff contribution is the amount of runoff and pollution that
leaves a property relative to other properties in the City. The
amount of impervious area on a property is what is used to indicate
the ranoff contribution and determine the number of billing units,
called SFUs.
What is an SFU?
SFU is the base billing unit for the stormwater utility fee, and it
stsnds for Single Family Unit. The average single-family unit, or
home, in Dubuque has 2,917 square feet of hard (impervious) area.
What is an impervious surface area?
Is a gravel surface impervious?
Impervious surfaces are those that do not absorb water, or retard
the natural infiltration of rain such as roofs, driveways, wails and
parking lots. Gravel does not absorb rain like natural mils or
grasses that naturally existed un a property.
How was the impervious area determined for
my property?
For sk~e-family homes, the impervious area on your property has
been estimated based on the average impervious surface area
associated with homes in Dubuque and the size of your property.
For other residential property, an average impe~vions area was
determined and proportioned to the average single-family unit
(SFU). Each dwelling unir under the property classification
receives a bill based on this proportion.
Mniti-Family units pay 42% of the SFU rate.
Condominiums pay 83 % of the SFU rate.
Mobile Homes pay 65% of the SFU rate.
For non-residential properties, the impervious area has been
directly measured and the fee is based on the proportion of
impervious area on the property and the impervious area of the
average single family home (2,917 square feet).
Why not measure the impervious (hard)
area of every residential lot?
While the most equitable way to establish the impervious area for
a lot would be to physically measure it, the practice of physically
measuring ~ impervious area for a lot and recording al/ the
changes made on a day-to-day basis would be too expensive to
administer (requiring a higher fee) and be prone to error.
What if my property is smaller (or bigger) than
the average home?
To achieve a fair and equitable user fee, the City established a
tiered residential rate structure, which establishes three different
rates for single family homes. The three tiers are:
· Properties with one-half or less impervious surface than the
average single family home are charged 65 cents per month.
· Properties with more than 1,471 square feet, but less than
4,375 square feet of impervious area are charged $1.29 per
month.
· Properties with one and one-haif or more impervious surface
than the average single family home are charged $1.94 per
month.
These rates are subject to change pending the outcome of litigation
involving DRA gaming funds.
If ! think my fee is wrong, how can ! appeal?
The City has set up an appeal process whereby a property owner
can submit calcalations, measurements and any other relevant
information to the City showing the discrepancy. Adjns~nents may
be retroactive up to three months prior to the date an appeal is
filed. Continue to pay the disputed fees or the account will become
delinquent. If you feel your bill is in error or would like more
information on the Stormwater Utility program, please contact the
Public Works/Engineering Division at 589-4270.
New City of Dubuque Utility Bill
Your City of Dubuque utility bill has a completely new look. In
place of the old postcards, the new bills are letter-sized sheets of
paper and include a return envelope for your convenience. Your
new City of Dubuque utility bill has been designed to be easier to
read with larger type and more space to explain charges. The new
format is confidential and user-friendly.
The stormwater utility is a new charge on your bill. This fee wilt
fund stormwater improvement projects and maintenance of existing
facilities. Over the years, increasing mounts of water runoff has
overwhelmed storm sewers built decades ago. As Dubuque grew,
absorbent surfaces like grass were replaced with asphalt, concrete
and other hard surfaces that don't allow rain to soak into the
ground, adding to the volume of water that the City must manage.
In the early 1990s, the City began requiring new development to
conslxact detention basins, preserving pre-development runoff
conditions. While tbSs has kept the silnation from getfin~ worse, it
has not corrected the problems that developed over many years.
Redirecting stormwater and alleviating flooding problems is
expensive. In fact, nearly $25 milEon in improvements are
recommended to keep more than 1,150 downtown, north-end and
west-end homes and businesses safe during heavy rakffails. After
receiving public input and a recommendation from an advisory
committee, the City Council agreed to fund stormwater
management through a stormwater utility, and reailocaimg existing
money.
Revenue from a stormwater utility can oniy be used to fund
stormwater needs. This includes the creation of detention basins,
cleaning of storm sewers, enlarging capacities, redirecting water,
and associated administrative costs. Like other utilities, the
stormwater fee is based on usage. Property owners are charged for
the amount of stormwater that leaves their property.
While your bill may look different, the options for paying your bill
rem the same. Bills may be brought to City Hail during regular
office hours, dropped in the payment box outside City Hail, paid at
any locai bank, mailed to City Hall or paid through direct debit.
For questions about your new bill, call Utility Billing at 589-4144.
John Q. Public
123 One Nice Place
Dubuque,? lA 52001
U~ies are i/sterl 1~[
se~c~ type. If more
Tke m~t~ly mc for
$1.29. Per~iag the
involving DRA garelug
rund~, file fee could
i~c re..~se t~ $1.79.
~i~ a partical=
Amount 8illecl
Combines lhe servi~e
£ee ami applicable
sa~ mx amount(s).
General questions about Dubuque's StOrmwater Utility
Where did this stormwater utility come from?
o The Stormwater utility was established by the City Council in February of
2003 through the adoption of an ordinance.
How come I've never heard about this new user fee
before?
o I can't answer that. However, there was a major public involvement
process dealing with the stormwater drainage issues in Dubuque and how
to finance them in the spring, summer, and fall of 2002 before the Council
debated and adopted the stormwater utility. Public involvement included a
thirty-member citizen advisory committee that assembled eight times over
an eight-month period and the City hosted seven public meetings where
the topic was discussed. In addition, over a half-dozen newspaper articles
mentioned the possibility of the utility fee and at least two television
stations aired a story on the topic.
Why is this issue being addressed at this time?
o Over the past decade, stormwater issues have become more of a concern
as a result of continued development throughout the City and the heavy
rainstorms that seem to be occurring with more frequency. Hundreds of
property owners, our neighbors, have urged that the City take action to
solve the problems associated with stormwater as soon as possible. As a
result, the City Council has identified stormwater management as a priority
and adopted the utility fee to established funding to implement solutions.
Is Dubuque the only City in Iowa charging a stormwater
fee?
o No, there are at least seven other communities in Iowa that currently are
charging a stormwater utility fees ranging from $1.50 in Ames to $5.29 in
Des Moines per residential property per month.
Why should I pay? I don't have a flooding problem!
o Even if your home or neighborhood doesn't experience flooding, runoff '
from your property adds to the City's cost to manage the City's overall
stormwater drainage system.
06/26/03 Additional Additional Storm Utility FAQs-topic.doc 1
Will the City fix drainage problems that are on my
property?
o The City cannot legally perform maintenance or fund improvements on
private property. While there are sometimes exceptions to this rule,
private drainage problems will still be the responsibility of the property
owners.
My property does not drain to a City storm sewer, so
why do I have to pay?
o Citizens should expect the City to provide passable roads and streets
during rainstorms by limiting street flooding to ensure adequate access for
both your car and public safety vehicles to your property (i.e., patrol cars,
fire engines, and ambulances). Everyone who lives and works in Dubuque
benefits when stoi'mwater problems are well managed. We all suffer if
these problems persist.
> Am I still charged even if it doesn't rain for a long time?
o Yes. The City must maintain the existing storm sewer system between
rainstorms. In addition, there are numerous stormwater drainage
improvement projects that, if constructed, will provide significant benefits
during tomorrow's rainstorm.
06/26/03 Additional Additional Storm Utility FAQs-topic.dpc 2
How the stormwater fee is established
Will the $1.29 cost per SFU ever change?
o The Council has the ability, if the need arises in the future, to adjust the
rate by modifying the ordinance.
Where on my bill does it tell me how much impervious
area Fm being charged for?
o You can calculate the impervious area by multiplying the stormwater
service fee by 2,917.
If I add a patio or build a detached garage for my home
will my stormwater utility fee change?
o Possibly, for most properties the stormwater utility fee is based on the
average hard (impervious) area associated with a residential parcel.
However, when a building permit is issued, the City will look at the
impervious area associated with your property and the addition. It is
possible that the addition will increase the Impervious area on your
property to the level established in the higher tier.
How is undeveloped property treated?
o Only property that has impervious surfaces is charged the stormwater
utility fee.
06/26/03 Additional Additional Storm Utility FAQs~topic.doc 3
BILLING
How often will I receive a bill for the stormwater utility?
o The stormwater fee will be found on the same monthly bill as the refuse,
wa.ter, and sanitary sewer fees.
What is the penalty if I do not pay my stormwater utility
bill?
o You will risk having all of your city services interrupted.
I moved in (or out) during the middle of the month. HoW
does this affect my bill for the stormwater utility?
o Your bill will be prorated based on when the water service is transferred or
turned on.
I am building a new home. When will I be required to
start paying the stormwater utility fee?
o The stormwater fee for a new home will start upon the earlier of the
following:
· Issuance of a permanent water meter, or
· If no water meter is issued, 60 days after the'issuance of a building
permit.
I am constructing a new building (or adding impervious
surfaces) on my non-residential property. When will I be
required to start paying the stormwater utility fee {or
when will my existing stormwater utility fee change)?
o The fee will start (or change) upon the earlier of the following: · The issuance of a certificate of occupancy, or
· If no certificate of occupancy is issued, 60 days after the issuance
of a building permit.
Over what time period am I being billed for?
o The time period for the stormwater utility bill will be the same as the
current monthly utility bill for water, sanitary sewer, and refuse.
I rent an apartment in a building that I do not own. Why
should I pay for the stormwater utility?
o Like water, sanitary sewer and refuse removal, the stormwater fee is
charged, for the most part, to the person or business using the property.
06/26/03 Additional Additional Storm Utility FAQs-topic.dpc 4
STORMWATER FEE CREDITS, FINANCIAL
ASSISTANCE & ADJUSTMENTS
> Is there any financial assistance available?
o The City has established an assistance program for Iow to moderate-
income families. If you feel you might qualify, please contact Utility Billing
for an application.
o The City has established a 50% subsidy for organizations that are
property tax-exempt. Please contact the Engineering Division at 589-4270
for more information.
I maintain a detention pond on my property. Do I get
any fee reduction or credit for this?
o Credits are available for non-residential properties if appropriate criteria
are met.
What is a credit?
o A credit is an ongoing reduction in the stormwater user fee based on
certain qualifying conditions or activities that reduce the City's cost of
providing stormwater management services.
How do I apply for a credit?
o If your organization's activities or stormwater facilities reduce the City's
demand for the funds generated by the stormwater user fee please
contact the Engineering Division at 589-4270 for an application.
> As a residential property owner can I apply for a credit?
o No. Credits are only available for non-residential properties.
> As a residential property owner why can't I get a credit?
o While your actions as a residential property owner can provide a benefit to
the City it would be neady impossible to measure the benefit of your
individual action.
How do I appeal the fee if I believe I am not being
charged the correct stormwater fee?
o If you believe the fee does not reflect the actual hard (impervious) area on
your property contact the Engineering Division at 589-4270. Please be
prepared to provide documentation as to how your calculation of the
impervious area differs from the number reflected on your bill.
06/26/03 Additional Additional Storm Utility FAQs-topic.d¢c 5