Stormwater Utility Credit Policy
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MEMORANDUM
February 24, 2004
TO:
The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM:
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Stormwater Management Utility Policies and Procedures Manual
Assistant City Engineer Gus Psihoyos recommends City Council approval of the
Stormwater Management Utility Policies and Procedures Manual prepared by City staff
and COM, the City's stormwater utility consultant. This Policies and Procedures Manual
provides the guidelines and framework under which the Utility will operate. Specifically
the manual covers procedures for stormwater billing, fee adjustments, financial
assistance, credits and appeals.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
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MCVM/jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Gus Psihoyos, Assistant city Engineer
Michael A. Koch, Public Works Director
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MEMORANDUM
February 20, 2004
TO:
FROM:
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
Gus Psihoyos, Assistant City Engineer ..JQ.
SUBJECT: Stormwater Management Utility Policies and Procedures Manual
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memo is to present the Stormwater Management Utility Policies and
Procedures Manual prepared by City staff and COM, the City's stormwater utility
consultant, to the City Council for review, discussion, and approval. This Policies and
Procedures Manual provides the guidelines and framework under which the Utility will
operate. In addition, the Manual identifies credits that may reduce a portion of a
customer's Stormwater Utility Fee.
BACKGROUND
The City Council established a Stormwater Management Utility on February 27, 2003,
pursuant to Iowa Code § 384.84( 1), with the passage of Ordinance No.7 -03. While the
Ordinance provides the mechanism for billing and payment, adjustments to fees,
accounting for capital contributions, and establishes a Stormwater User Fee Fund, the
Policies and Procedures Manual identifies and clarifies the procedures for updating a
customer's billing data file. Specificplly, the Manual covers procedures for: stormwater
billing, fee adjustments, financial assistance, credits, and appeals.
In Fiscal Year 2004, the City Council established two annual financial assistance
programs within the Capital Improvement Budget intended to lessen the financial
burden the stormwater user fee might impose on low-income residents and property tax
exempt organizations. The financial assistance programs will be available as long as
the City Council continues to budget, non-storm water utility fee funds to support them.
In July, the City Council authorized the use of the low-income subsidy criteria used for
refuse subsidies to be used for the stormwater utility fee. Therefore, a customer who
meets Section 8 requirements, income is 50% or less than the medium income for
Dubuque County, is given a 50% stormwater fee reduction.
The Citizen Advisory Committee established by the City Council to discuss the City's
stormwater management program and how it should be funded, unanimously
recommended that, "Credits shall be given to those properties that provide storm water
management actions that reduce the City's cost of storm water management."
A stormwater credit is a percent reduction in a portion of a customer's Stormwater Utility
Fee. For example, if a 20% credit is granted then the customer's stormwater fee will be
reduced by 20%.
DISCUSSION
The Manual, intended for the City staff use, has five sections: Section 1 is an
introduction with definitions, Section 2 establishes guidelines for customer account
management, Section 3 describes fee adjustment procedures and financial assistance
programs, Section 4 discusses credits, and Section 5 outlines the appeal process. Of
the five sections, the credit section necessitates the most discussion.
When the Stormwater Management Utility was passed in February of 2003, City staff
promised to develop a policy that would provide up to a 50% credit for customers that
take actions that reduce the City's cost to manage stormwater. The Stormwater
Management Utility Policies and Procedures Manual specifically identifies the activities
that warrant a credit and how much the credits will be. Moreover, the Manual provides
the necessary forms and guidance for staff and customers to facilitate an efficient
application and review process and ensure that the policy is applied equitably.
City staff intends to keep the credit application process as simple as possible,
employing principles of equity and reason. The credit policies have been developed to
strike a delicate balance between simplicity, effectiveness, and equity.
When discussing stormwater credits it is important to recognize that the Stormwater
Management Utility is similar to the water, refuse, and sanitary sewer utilities in
Dubuque. In each case, the City is providing citizens with a service and the customer's
fee for the service is based on the cost to provide the service. While the water utility fee
is established by measuring the cubic feet of water used by the customer and the refuse
utility charge is based on the size and number of trash receptacles, the sanitary sewer
fee is based on the measurement used by the water utility. And, the stormwater utility
fee is based on a measurement of hard (impervious) surface areas.
While the fairest way to establish a customer's stormwater contribution is to measure
the rainwater that runs off each customer's property, it is cost prohibitive. Similarly, the
sanitary sewer utility does not measure the actual amount of wastewater that each
customer generates. Therefore, the stormwater utility makes use of a compromise by
using the measurement of hard surface area to establish a customer's fee. A credit can
increase the equitability of the utility fee because more than the amount of impervious
area dictates the amount of rainwater that runs off a customer's property.
Typically, residential customers do not have the necessary land or resources to
implement, operate or maintain meaningful or quantifiable stormwater management
facilities. Moreover, the City does not have the means to regulate or oversee individual
residents to ensure that a credit is valid. For example, while the City could issue a credit
for the use of a rain barrel, the City would be unable to verify that a rain barrel is
installed properly or that it is empty prior to each rain. Therefore, only nonresidential
customers are eligible for credits.
Facility and Activity Credits
The City's Stormwater Management System is funded through various sources,
including the Dubuque Racing Association distribution, the general fund, bonds, fees,
and the Stormwater User Fee. The City allocates money from each source to activities
or facilities associated with stormwater management. Facility and activity credits are
available if a customer's activity or facility is associated with City activities or services
funded by the user fee. For example, although a customer might reduce the City's cost
to maintain the floodwall by removing debris along the Mississippi River, a stormwater
fee credit is not warranted because stormwater user fees are not used by the City to
operate and maintain the floodwall. Table 1 is a summary of Facility and Activity credits,
user fee funded activities categorized into the various components of the stormwater
management system: administration, billing, operations and maintenance, Capital
Improvement Program and NPDES program.
T
able 1. Summary of Facility and Activitv Credits
Max.
Facility and Activity Credits Credit
Operation & Maintenance
Generally, the maintenance of a catch basin requires annual inspection
and sediment removal. Cleaning requires a vacuum truck and/or climbing
Catch Basins into the catch basin. Climbing into the catch basin is a confined space 10%
entry, requiring specific safety training per the U.S. Department of labor
Occupational SafelY & Health Administration (OSHA).
Maintenance of the storm sewer system consists of inspection, cleaning,
Storm Sewer and general repairs. If a customer has the resources to inspect, clean and 21%
repair a public storm sewer on private property, the customer may be
eliGible for a Storm Sewer credit.
The maintenance of manholes involves biannual inspection and cleaning
Manholes and repairs as needed. If a customer has the resources to inspect, clean 3%
and repair a public storm manhole on private property, the customer may
be eliGible for a Manhole credit.
Culverts and bridges provide conveyance for stormwater under roads and
Culverts/ other structures. If a customer has the resources and expertise to inspect, 1%
Bridges clean, or repair a culvert or bridge the customer may be eligible for a
Culverts/BridGes credit.
Creeks/ If a customer has the capabilities to remove sediment and debris from a 1%
Streams creek or stream the customer mav be eliGible for a Creeks/ Streams credit.
Capitallmorovement ProGram
Capital improvement projects are projects built to improve the
infrastructure or performance of the City's Stormwater Management
Future Projects System. While it is unlikely that a private citizen would be allowed to 26%
(Debt Relief) assist the City with implementing future facility construction or facility
repair, under rare circumstances a customer may be eligible for a CIP
credit.
NPDES
Public The City will consider the maximum credit for public education and
Education & outreach and public involvement and participation tasks. 4%
Outreach
Public Activities considered must be applicable to the program outlined in the
Involvement & City's NPDES Phase II permit. 4%
Particioation
Direct Discharge Credit
The purpose of the direct discharge credit is to increase the equity of the Stormwater
Management Utility. The goal of the user fee-funding source is to have each customer
pay a fee based on the customer's runoff contribution to the total that the City must
manage. Because there is a lower stormwater management cost associated with runoff
from private property that discharges directly into the Mississippi River, Catfish Creek,
South Fork Catfish Creek, or Middle Fork Catfish Creek a credit is warranted. The
credit is limited to 20% because the City remains accountable for all stormwater,
originating within the city limits, that discharges into waters of the United States.
Private NPDES Permit Credit
Certain private industrial operations are required to obtain an NPDES permit directly
from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The permit requires the industrial
operation to implement measures to manage stormwater runoff to minimize the
pollutants associated with the stormwater runoff that leaves the property. The credit is
in recognition of unique industrial activities that have stormwater management costs
above and beyond other utility customer costs.
The maximum NPDES credit is 10% and is available for a customer who maintains an
NPDES General Permit No.1 or General Permit No.2 for stormwater discharge
associated with an industrial activity.
Private Detention Basin Credit - Peak Flow Preservation
Current City policy requires that the peak flow of runoff from the site prior to
development during 2, 10, and 100-year rains is preserved following development. The
peak flow preservation credit is available when a customer has developed detention
basin preserves. While the preservation of peak flows has been a requirement for
developments that are an acre or more in size since the mid-nineties, an inequity arises
between sites developed prior and those developed after the City's detention policy.
Without detention credits, newer developments pay twice; once as an increase in
development costs and the loss of usable land and twice when paying the Stormwater
Management Utility fee for services that, in part, result from poor stormwater practices
on other customers' properties.
The maximum peak flow preservation credit is 10%. A greater credit is not warranted
because even though a developer preserves the peak flow, the largest volume of water
leaving the site at one time does not increase as a result of development, the developer
does not address the increase in the flow (other than the peak flow), volume, or velocity
of stormwater runoff leaving the site.
Private Detention Basin Credit - Peak Flow Reduction
Another reason to offer a credit is to provide an incentive for a customer to reduce the
need for the utility service. The peak flow reduction credit provides such an incentive for
developers to provide more detention than is required by the City's current stormwater
detention policy described above. A 4% credit is available for a twenty percent
reduction in peak flows for each of the 2, 10, and 100-year rains resulting in a maximum
peak flow reduction credit of 12%.
Table 2 is a summary of stormwater fee credits. The City of Dubuque Engineering
Division will accept applications from customers for credits. Applications (see Appendix
C) will be made available in the Office of the Engineering Division. In most cases,
engineering calculations are required to support credits. A registered professional
engineer may be required to prepare some of the supporting application documents.
Table 2. Stormwater Cre it ummary.
Credit Maximum Available Credit
Facilitv and Activitv Credits
Operation & Maintenance
Catch Basins 10%
Storm Sewer 21%
Manholes 3%
Culverts/Bridges 1%
Creeks/Streams 1%
Capital Improvement Program
Future Projects (Debt Relief) 26%
NPDES
Public Education and Outreach 4%
Public Involvement and Participation 4%
Direct Discharge Credit 20%
Private Detention Basin Credit
Peak Preseryation Credit 10%
Peak Reduction Credit 12%
Private NPDES Permit Credit 10%
TOTAL MAXIMUM CREDIT 50%
d S
RECOMMENDATION
I recommend the adoption of the Stormwater Management Utility Policies and
Procedures Manual and the procedures and policies established within.
ACTION REQUESTED
I respectfully request that the City Council approve the Stormwater Management Utility
Policies and Procedures Manual and the procedures and policies established within.
CC:
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Michael Koch, Public Works Director
Dawn Lang, Budget Director
Ken TeKippe, Finance Director
Deron Muehring, Civil Engineer II
Susan Gwiasda, Public Information Officer
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Stormwater Management Utility
Policies and Procedures Manual
City of Dubuque, IA
Winter 2003
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Storm water Management Utility
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Table of Contents
Section
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TABLE OF CONTENTS................................................................................2
SECTION I - INTRODUCTION ........,.....................................................................................................3
1.l
1.2
DEFINITIONS..................................................................................................................................3
RESPONSIBILITY ..............................................................................,...................,.........................6
SECTION 2... STORMW ATER BILLING ............................................................................................. 7
2.1 STORMWATERUSERFEEFUND..................................................................................................... 7
2.2 UTILITY CUSTOMER CLASSIFICATION ........................................................................................... 7
2.3 STORMWATER USER FEE...............................................................................................................8
2.4 BILLING AND PAYMENT .............................................,............................. .""""""""'" 9
2.5 DELINQUENT CHARGES AND NON-PAYMENT PENALTIES.............................................................. 9
2.6 BILLING DATA UPDATE................................................................................................................. 9
2.7 SERVICE REQUESTS/DISCONTINUATION OF SERVICE..................................................................... 9
2.8 UTILITY BILLING GUIDELINES............... .........................................................................,......... 10
SECTION 3... FEE ADJUSTMENTS..................................................................................................... 11
3.1 SFU ADJUSTMENT ...................................."..............................................................""""""""" II
3.1.2 RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER ..........................................................................".....................'" II
3.1.3 NON-RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER......................................................... ...................................11
3.1.4 SFU ADJUSTMENT ApPLICATION PROCESS .............................................".......................... II
3.2 FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ADJUSTMENT.........................................................................""""""""'" 12
SECTION 4 CREDITS ...................................................................................................................... 13
4.1 FACILITY AND ACTIVITY CREDITS ..........................................................,...................................13
4.1.l STORMWATERMANAGEMENT ADMINISTRATION & ENGINEERING ..................................... 14
4.1.2 OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE.................................................................""""""""""""" 14
4.1.3 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.......................................................... ........................... 17
4.1.4 NPDES ...............................................................................,............................................... 17
4.2 DIRECT DISCHARGE CREDIT........................................................ """"""""","""""""""""""'" 17
4.3 PRIVATE DETENTION BASIN CREDIT ........................................................"................................. 19
4.3.1 PEAK FLOW PRESERVATION CREDIT ...................................................................................19
4.3.2 PEAK FLOW REDUCTION CREDIT.............................................................. ...........................19
4.4 PRIVATE NPDES PERMIT CREDIT ............................................................................................... 20
4.5 CREDIT SUMMARY .................................,.................................................................................... 20
4.6 CREDIT APPLICATION PROCESS...................................................................................................20
SECTION 5 - APPEALS.......................................................................................................................... 22
List of Tables
TABLE 1 STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM COST ALWCATION
TABLE 2 MAxIMUM FA DLITY AND A CTIVJTY CREDITS
TABLE 3 SUMMARY OF THE MAXIMUM CREDITS AVAILABLE FER PROPERTY
APPENDIxA.. STORMWATER MANAGEMENT UTILITY ORDINANCE 7-03
APPENDIX B .. STORMWATER MANAGEMENT UTILITY FORMS, NUMBERS 1 THROUGH 7
APPENDIX C.. STORMWATER UTILITY FEE CREDIT APPLICATION
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Section 1 - Introduction
The City Council of the City of Dubuque established a Stormwater Management Utility
on February 27, 2003, pursuant to Iowa Code § 384.84(1), with the passage of
Ordinance No. 7-03. The ordinance provides authorization to establish and collect
rates, fees, and charges for the services and facilities provided by the Utility. The
Ordinance also declares that the Utility is to provide benefits and services within the
incorporated city limits, including the provision of adequate collection, conveyance,
detention and treatment systems, hazard reduction to property and life resulting from
stormwater runoff and flooding, improvement to the general health and welfare through
the reduction of undesirable stormwater conditi ons.
The Ordinance establishes a mechanism for billing the costs of operating and
maintaining the Stormwater Management Utility, and financing the necessary repairs,
replacements, improvements, and extensions. The Ordinance provides the mechanism
for billing and payment, adjustments to fees, accounting for capital contributions, and
establishes a Stormwater User Fee Fund. This Policies and Procedures Manual
provides the guidelines and framework under which the Utility will operate. The Policies
and Procedures Manual is intended to identify and clarify the procedures for billing fees
and updating the billing data file.
Appendix A contains a copy of Ordinance No. 7-03, which established the Stormwater
Management Utility. The Ordinance takes precedence over this Policies and
Procedures Manual in the event of a confli ct.
1.1
Definitions
The following definitions apply in this Policies and Procedures Manual.
. Billina Period means the service period identified on the utility bill. Each account will
be billed monthly for the service period. Developed property that receives City of
Dubuque water or other utility services will be billed monthly. Developed property
that does not receive City of Dubuque water or other utility services will also be billed
monthly.
. Bonds means revenue bonds, notes, loans or any other debt obligations issued or
incurred to finance the costs of construction of the system.
. City Manaaer means the City Manager of the City of Dubuque, or the City Manager's
designee.
. Cost of Construction means costs reasonably incurred in connection with providing
capital improvements to the Stormwater System or any portion thereof, including, but
not limited to, the costs of the following:
(1) Acquisition of all property, real or personal, and all interests in connection therewith
including all rights-of-way and easements therefore;
(2) Physical construction, installation and testing, including the costs of labor, services
materials, supplies and construction services used in connection therewith;
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(3) Architectural, engineering, legal and other professional services;
(4) Insurance premiums taken out and maintained during construction, to the extent not
paid for by a contractor for construction and installation;
(5) Any taxes or other charges which become due during construction;
(6) Expenses incurred by the City or on its behalf with its approval in seeking to enforce
any remedy against any contractor or subcontractor in respect of any default under
a contract relating to construction;
(7) Principal and interest of any bonds; and
(8) Miscellaneous expenses incidental thereto.
. Customer means the owner of a property and any person occupying or using the
property or a portion of the property that has impervious areas.
. Develooed Prooertv means real property upon which a structure or impervious
surface has been placed or constructed, thus increasing the amount of rainwater or
surface water runoff.
. Dwellina Unit means a singular unit or apartment providing complete, independent
living facilities for one or more persons including permanent provisions for living,
sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation.
. Enaineerina Division means the Engineering Division of the City of Dubuque (also
referred to as the Division).
. Fiscal Year means a 12-month period commencing on July 1, and ending on June 30
of the succeeding year.
. Imoervious Area means the number of square feet of hard surface areas whi ch either
prevent or retard the entry of water into the soil mantle as it enters under natural
conditions and/or causes water to run off the surface in greater quantities or at an
increased rate of flow from that present under natural conditions including, but not
limited to, roofs, roof extensions, patios, porches, driveway, sidewalks, pavement
and athletic courts.
. Nonresidential Prooertv means any property developed for commercial, industrial,
governmental, or institutional use, including churches, hospitals, and other
eleemosynary institutions and including multiuse properties incorporating residential
uses, but excluding undeveloped property and property used exclusively for
agricultural purposes.
. Ooeratina Budaet means the annual operating budget for the Stormwater
Management Utility adopted by the City Council for a fiscal year.
. Ooerations and Maintenance Exoense means the current expenses, paid or accrued,
for operation, maintenance and current repair of the Stormwater System, as
calculated in accordance with sound accounting practice, and includes, without
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limiting the generality of the foregoing, insurance premiums, administrative expenses
including record keeping, the cost of materials and supplies used for current
operations, and charges for the accumulation of appropriate reserves for current
expenses not annually incurred, but which are such as may reasonably be expected
to be incurred in accordance with the sound accounting practice:-
. Public Works Director means the Public Works Director of the City of Dubuque, or
the Public Works Director's designee.
. Residential Developed Property means any lot or parcel developed exclusively for
residential purposes including, but not limited to, single-family homes, manufactured
homes, multifamily, apartment buildings, and condominiums.
. Revenues means all rates, fees, assessments, rentals or other charges or other
income received by the Utility, in connection with the management and operation of
the System, including amounts received from the investment or deposit of moneys in
any fund or account and any amounts contributed by the City, all as calculated in
accordance with sound accounting practice.
. Sinale Familv Residential Unit (SFU) means the statistical average horizontal
impervious area of a single-family Residential Developed Property, excluding mobile
homes and condominiums, located within the City and as established by the city
council. The horizontal impervious area includes, but is not limited to, all areas
covered by structures, roof extensions, patios, porches, driveways, and sidewalks.
. Stormwater Manaaement Utilitv Svstem or Svstem means the existing stormwater
management facilities, stormwater drainage system, and flood protection system of
the city and all improvements thereto which by the City Ordinance are constituted as
the property and responsibility of the utility, to be operated as an enterprise fund to,
among other things, conserve water; control discharges and flows necessitated by
rainfall events; and incorporate methods to collect, convey, store, absorb, inhibit,
treat, use or reuse water to prevent or reduce flooding, over drainage, environmental
degradation and water pollution or otherwise affect the quality and quantity of
discharge from such system.
. Stormwater User Fee means fee established to pay the cost of administration,
operation and maintenance, debt service, cost of construction for capital
improvements, planning and engineering, and all other costs incurred by the City in
operating the System.
. Stormwater User Fee Fund means the enterprise fund created to operate, maintain,
and improve the System.
. Undisturbed Property means real property that has not been altered from its natural
state by dredging, filling, removal of trees and vegetation, or other activities, that
have disturbed or altered the topography or soils on the property.
. Vacant Improved Property means unoccupied developed property that contains an
impervious area.
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1.2 Responsibility
The City Council is the governing body of the Stormwater Management Utility. The City
Manager, through the Public Works Director, is responsible for directing, managing and
controlling the System. This includes the day-to-day operation of.-the Utility and other
associated ordinances and regulations, and implementation of the policy directives of
the City Council regarding the Stormwater Mana gement Utility.
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Section 2 - Storm water Billing
2.1 Stormwater User Fee Fund
A Stormwater User Fee Fund has been established for the collection of all fees and
charges by the Utility. This fund is for the exclusive use of the Stormwater
Management System, including, but not limited to the following:
. Operation and Maintenance of the Stormwater Management System. Operation
and maintenance activities include street sweeping, catch-basin cleaning and
repair, storm sewer repair, channel clearing, detention basin sedimentation
removal, ditch and swale mowing, channel reconstruction, and erosion repair.
. Costs of Construction incurred in connection with providing capital improvements
to the Stormwater Management System. As part of the improvements the City
may authorize the construction of curbs, gutters, catch basins, channels,
drainage swales, storm sewers, culverts, detention basins, pump stations, as
well as other stormwater related facilities.
. Administrative costs associated with the management of the Stormwater User
Fee Fund (e.g., billing, postage, collection). While there is no intent at this time to
charge for these services, also eligible are utility management, legal costs,
record keeping, City financial services, and computer re ports.
. Debt service for financing.
. Planning and engineering.
. Cost incurred by the City to comply with all federal, state, and local stormwater
regulatory requirements.
Dubuque manages stormwater using a variety of funding sources: the Stormwater
Management Utility, general fund, Dubuque Racing Association distribution, revenue,
bonds, permits, and fees. Therefore, there typically are stormwater management
services provided by the City not specifically funded by the Stormwater Management
Utility.
2.2 Utility Customer Classification
A Stormwater User Fee will be imposed upon each developed lot and parcel within the
City for stormwater services and facilities provided by the City. For purposes of
imposing the Stormwater User Fee, all developed lots and parcels within the City are
classified into, or a mixture of, the following two customer classes:
Residential Develooed Property
Single Family
Mobile Home
Multi-family
Condominiums
Nonresidential Develooed P rooertv
Governmental
Institutional (tax exempt)
Commercial
Industrial
Stormwater User Fees are not imposed on public streets including federal
expressways, state roads, or local streets, roads, and alleys. In addition, Stormwater
User Fees are not imposed upon impervious public facilities located within right-of-
ways, including sidewalks, curbing, street crossings, or bike paths.
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2.3
Stormwater User Fee
Stormwater User Fees are assessed to Utility customers based upon a customer's user
classification described in the previous subsection. Residential Developed Property is
billed based on a tiered rate structure. The average single-family residential property
will be billed 1 Single Family Unit (SFU). An SFU is equal to 2,917 square feet of
impervious area (statistically developed average for single family homes in the City of
Dubuque). The Ordinance establishes the rate to be charged for the Stormwater Use
Fee for equivalent residential units.
Single-family residential properties will be billed the following percentage of the SFU
based on the totaJ square footage of impervious area for the particular property:
Single-Family Residential Property Percentage of SFU Rate
Impervious Area Total (fe)
1,471 or less . 50%
1,472-4,374 100%
4,375 or more 150%
Note: Values from Ordinance No. 7-03, adopted on 02-27-03, are subject to change.
Non-single family residential property will be billed the following percentage of the SFU
rate multiplied by the number of dwelling units on the property;
Non-Single Family Residential Property Percentage of SFU
Impervious Area Total (ft2) Rate
Multifamily (excluding condominiums and 42%
mobile homes)
Condominium 83%
Mobile Home 65%
Note: Values from Ordinance No. 7-03, adopted on 02-27-03. are subject to change.
Nonresidential customers will be billed based on single-family units. The user fees will
be assessed as follows:
. The fee imposed for Developed Nonresidential Properties as defined herein is the
rate for one SFU, multiplied by the numerical factor obtained by dividing the total
impervious area (square feet) of a nonresidential property by the impervious area for
one SFU.
. The minimum fee for any Developed Nonresidential Parcel is equal to the rate for
one SFU.
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2.4 Billing and Payment
The Stormwater User Fee for property will be billed and collected monthly with the
City's utility bill for those properties that use other City utilities. Properties not utilizing
City utilities may be billed semi-annually rather than monthly.
2.5 Delinquent Charges and Non-Payment Penalties
Stormwater User Fees not paid when due will be handled in the same manner as
delinquent utility fees for other City-provided services as provided in section 44-86 of
the Code of Ordinances.
2.6 Billing Data Update
The Public Works Director is responsible for routine updates to the billing data to
account for the addition or demolition of impervious areas for Developed Residential
and Nonresidential Properties if brought to the attention of the Engineering Division.
The City Manager will ensure that updates to the billing data are performed
continuously or on a routine schedule.
The Public Works Director will obtain impervious area information for Developed
Nonresidential Properties as part of the site plan review and building permit application
processes. Permit applicants must furnish impervious area information for building
structures, driveways, curbs, sidewalks, patios, or other covered surfaces to be
constructed. This information must be included on the construction drawings submitted
to the Public Works Director or on a separate form submitted with the permit
application.
The issuance of a water meter for residential properties or 90 days after the issuance of
a building permit for nonresidential properties initiates stormwater services and billing
for Stormwater User Fees. If neither a water meter nor a building permit is issued, and
the City determines a development is substantially complete or has been halted for at
least three months, the user fee will also be initiated. The first utility bill will include fees
back to the issuance of the water meter or 90 days after the building permit was issued.
The Engineering Division is responsible for the assignment of SFUs to the new
customer and the updating of the billing database.
2.7 Service RequestsfDiscontinuation of Service
For customers requesting utility service, Utility Billing will update the utility billing system
data file with the new customer's name, billing address, and other pertinent information,
and check to ensure that the account is active and chargeable. For a request for
discontinuation of utility service in a tenant situation, the Utility Billing will update the
current customer information from the account. Stormwater accounts will remain active
and chargeable at all times. S tormwater accounts may only be removed from the billing
database when the Public Works Director determines that a customer has removed all
impervious area from a formerly developed property and has returned the property to its
previously undeveloped condition.
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2.8 Utility Billing Guidelines
General billing guidelines are described as follows:
. Residential multifamily, such as condominiums, apartment complexes, and trailer
parks, are sometimes served by water meters in the name of the owner of the parcel.
In such cases, the number of SFUs is assigned to the master account and billed to
the property owner. However, the liability for payment of the Stormwater
Management Utility Fee attributable to that property is joint and several as to the
owner and any occupant.
. Multiple meters on a single parcel where the meters have the same customer name
assigned to it will have the uti lity fee billed to one account.
. Many Nonresidential Developed Properties within the City of Dubuque have multiple
customer accounts and multiple water meters on a single parcel (i.e., retail shopping
centers). For these utility customers, the number of SF Us determined and assigned
to each customer account will be on the basis of the percentage of the total
impervious area that can be attributed to the individual customer. The percentage
allocation is determined on the basis of the ratio of the customer's building area to
the total building area. The area of impervious surface assigned to the customer is
determined by multiplying the customer's percentage allocation of total building area
by the parcel's total impervious area. The number of SFUs is calculated by dividing
the customer's total impervious area allocation by the statistically determined value
for one SFU (2,917 square feet).
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Section 3 - Fee Adjustments
The City may grant an adjustment when a customer identifies incorrect information
contained in the City's billing database. Both residential and nonresidential customers
can apply for adjustments. "-"
3.1 SFU Adjustment
Any customer who has paid stormwater user fees and believes that the SFU
established for the customer's account is incorrect, may apply for an adjustment.
In addition, an adjustment may be appropriate if a customer demonstrates that rainfall
that occurs on an impervious area does not generate runoff (has no outlet), is
completely watertight, and has at least 18 inches of freeboard. This adjustment is for
unusual structures, such as swimming pools, hazardous material storage areas, etc.
For these specific cases, the SFUs will be adjusted by removing from the SFU
calculation the amount of impervious area that does not generate runoff.
An adjustment may be warranted if a customer demonstrates that on-site gravel is not
compacted, not used for vehicular traffic, and not impervious such as areas used for
landscaping. However, all compacted gravel areas (drives, storage areas, etc.) are
considered impervious areas, and as such, no adjustment will be granted. The Public
Works Director will make the decision regarding the intended purpose of gravel areas.
3.1.2 Residential Customer
A residential customer who believes the SFU component used to calculate the
customers user fee is incorrect may apply for an adjustment using Stormwater
Management Utility Form No.1 available at the City Engineering Division office, City
Hall.
3.1.3 Non-residential Customer
A nonresidential owner who believes the SFU component used to calculate the
customers user fee is incorrect may apply for an adjustment using Stormwater
Management Utility Form No.2 available at the City Engineering Division office, City
Hall.
3.1.4 SFU Adjustment Application Process
Requests for adjustment of the stormwater user fee must be submitted in writing to the
Public Works Director. A customer may request an adjustment for determination of
total impervious area, the calculation of the stormwater management charge, and/or the
allocation of the charge among several occupants, if applicable.
The first step in the adjustment process is a review of the City's calculation of the
impervious area. The Public Works Director may request the customer to provide
supplemental information including survey data prepared by an Iowa registered
Professional land Surveyor that shows the amount of impervious area and compacted
gravel area on a parcel or engineering reports prepared by an Iowa registered
Professional Engineer. Failure to provide such information may result in the denial of
the adjustment request.
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The Public Works Director will respond in writing to all adjustment requests within 90
days after receipt of the request. The response will provide an explanation of
adjustment approval or denial as well as requests for additional information. The denial
of an adjustment may be appealed to the City Manager, and ultimately to the City
Council, as provided in Section 5.
Adjustments will be applied to a customer's account upon approval. An adjustment may
be retroactive to the beginning of the City's current Fiscal Year. A pending application
for adjustments shall not constitute a valid reason for non-payment.
Appendix B contains Stormwater Management Utility Forms for the adjustment
application process.
3.2 Financial Assistance Adjustment
In Fiscal Year 2004, the City Council established two annual financial assistance
programs within the Capital Improvement Budget intended to lessen the financial
burden the stormwater user fee might impose on low-income residents and property tax
exempt organizations. The financial assistance will be available as long as the City
Council continues to budget, non-storm water utility fee funds to support the financial
assistance programs. Financial assistance can be retroactive to the beginning of the
City's current Fiscal Year. A customer may be eligible for financial assistance if:
. The customer qualifies as a low income resident; or
. The customer qualifies as a property tax-exempt organization; and
. The City Council has budgeted appropriate, non-storm water utility fee funds to
support the financial assistance programs.
Customers who wish to apply for the low-income assistance program should complete
Stormwater Management Utility Form No.4 available at the office of the Public Works
Director and return it to the Utility Billing Department. Additional documentation is
required to qualify for the program. The customer should contact the Utility Billing
Department for full details.
Property tax exempt customers should obtain Stormwater Management Utility Form No.
5 available in the office of the Public Works Director, complete the form, and return it to
the Public Works Director for review. Customers that fall into one of the following
classes as identified in the Iowa Code 427.1 may be eligible for a property tax-exempt
fee reduction: federal and state property; municipal and military property; public
grounds and cemeteries; libraries and art galleries; property of religious, literary, and
charitable societies; property of educational institutions; and public airports.
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Section 4
Credits
Rain and the resulting stormwater runoff is difficult to quantify and control. The
quantification of stormwater runoff is based in science, statistics, assumptions, and
experience. Volumes of literature have been produced and contTI;ue to be written on
hydrology and stormwater management. There are as many different methods and
opinions as there are components of stormwater management. It is, however, widely
recognized that the level of impervious surfaces correlates di rectiy with increased levels
of stormwater runoff.
The City intends to keep the credit application process as simple as possible,
employing principles of equity and reason. The credit policies have been developed to
strike a delicate balance between simplicity, effectiveness, and equity.
A stormwater credit is a reduction in a portion of a customer's Stormwater Utility Fee.
To be eligible for a credit, the customer must demonstrate that the customer's existing
or proposed stormwater facility or the customer's action reduces the City's stormwater
program needs funded by the user fee. Credit eligibility is determined on a case-by-
case basis.
Typically, residential customers do not have the necessary land to provide meaningful,
quantifiable stormwater management facilities or the resources to implement, operate
or maintain such facilities. Moreover, the City does not have the means to regulate or
oversee individual residents to ensure that the credit is valid. For example, while the
City could issue a credit for the use of a rain barrel, the City would be unable to verify
that a rain barrel was properly emptied after each rain. Therefore, residential
customers are not eligible for credits.
Appendix C is the application for Utility fee credits. Upon approval of a stormwater
credit, the credit will be given at the next billing. A credit may be retroactive to the
beginning of the City's current Fiscal Year if it can be shown that the justification for the
credit was in place at that time.
4.1 Facility and Activity Credits
Eligible Facility and Activity credits are based on stormwater expenses funded using the
stormwater utility fee over the first five years of a twenty-five year planning period.
Table 1 presents the City's stormwater costs that will be funded by the utility for the
initial 5-year period. Costs are categorized into the various components:
administration, billing, operations and maintenance, Capital Improvement Program and
NPDES program for both system-wide and local storm water systems.
Stormwater facilities are subdivided into two classifications for establishing the
appropriate credit. Local stormwater facilities are defined as facilities that manage
storm flow from upstream drainage areas of 1 square mile or less. System-wide
facilities are defined as facilities that manage storm flow from upstream drainage areas
greater than 1 square mile. Table 2 shows the local and system-wide breakdown of
stormwater management activities funded by the Stormwater Utility Fee.
The applicability of system-wide credits will be based on the ratio of the drainage area
tributary to the stormwater facility or activity to the typical major drainage system area in
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the City of Dubuque, approximately 5 square miles. For example, a facility with an
upstream drainage area of 2.5 square miles would be eligible for half (2.5/5 = 0.5) of
the system-wide credit.
The City's Stormwater Management System is funded throUgh various sources,
including the Dubuque Racing Association distribution, the general fund, bonds, fees,
and the Stormwater User Fee. The City allocates money from each source to activities
or facilities associated with stormwater management. Nonresidential customers are
only entitled to Facility and Activity credits for facilities or activities that are associated
with the City's services funded by the user fee. In order to determine the potential
credits available to a customer, it is important to identify how much of the utility budget
is allocated toward each of the user fee-funded activities. Potential credits are rounded
to the nearest whole percent with a minimum of 1 percent allowed for each activity.
4.1.1 Stormwater Management Administration & Engineering
The administration and engineering services performed by the City cover a wide range
of activities. The cost of administering the Stormwater Management Utility is mostly
funded by the Utility fee, while the processing of bills is being cost shared with the three
existing City utility services: water, sanitary, and refuse. The stormwater share of this
cost is being fully funded by the stormwater utility fee. These program costs are
reflected in Table 1. Because billing of the Utility covers the entire City equally, it is
considered a system-wide cost. Bills will be sent to each customer on a monthly basis
regardless of any other activities the customer undertakes to reduce the City's
Stormwater Management Program cost, so no credit is available.
Engineering activities include handling citizen inquires or complaints, providing
technical support to the City Council, implementing improvements defined in the
stormwater master plan, emergency response to flooding, inspection services, and
project management. Funding for these services comes from the existing general fund
and is likewise not eligible for credits. (Maximum Credit = 0%)
4.1.2 Operations & Maintenance
The City has significantly increased the amount of operation and maintenance it
performs in order to meet the NPDES - Phase II water quality requirements and system
maintenance needs. Existing general fund contributions to operation and maintenance
are continuing at their current budget levels but are being supplemented in several
areas by the stormwater utility fee. Provided below is a breakdown of the supplemental
activities funded through the user fee.
Catch Basin Ooeration and Maintenance
The majority of catch basins serve an upstream drainage area of 1 square mile or less.
However, it is possible that a group of catch basins serve a drainage area larger than 1
square mile. Therefore, the local versus system-wide split is 90/10, respectively.
Generally, the maintenance of a catch basin requires annual inspection and sediment
removal. Cleaning requires a vacuum truck and/or climbing into the catch basin.
Climbing into the catch basin is a confined space entry, requiring specific safety training
per the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA).
Activities performed by individual customers that reduce the frequency or cost of catch
basin and storm sewer cleaning may be eligible for a credit. The maximum potential
14
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local credit is 9 percent. An additional 1 percent credit may be available for the system-
wide credit. (Maximum Credit = 10%)
Stonn Sewer Maintenance
Maintenance of the storm sewer system consists of inspection, cleaning, and general
repairs. Inspection and cleaning of the storm sewer system is planned to occur at a rate
of 20 percent per year.
The City has approximately 80 miles of storm sewers ranging from 12 to 24 inches in
diameter. Sewers of that size typically convey small areas of local drainage, less than
or equal to 1 square mile, and would be considered local storm sewers. There is
approximately 20 additional miles of larger storm sewers.
If a customer has the resources to inspect, clean and repair a public storm sewer on
private property, the customer could be eligible for O&M storm sewer credit. The
maximum credit is 17 percent for a local facility and with an additional 4 percent credit
for a system-wide credit. (Maximum Credit = 21%)
Manhole Maintenance
The maintenance of manholes involves biannual inspection and cleaning and repairs as
needed. If a customer qualifies, the maximum local credit is 2.5 percent and with an
additional system-wide credit of 0.63 percent. (Maximum Credit = 3%)
Culverts
Culverts provide conveyance for stormwater under roads and other structures.
Sediment and debris build-up can reduce the design capacity and cause road over-
topping or upstream flooding. Road over-topping has a system-wide affect by limiting
access for emergency vehicles and other traffic. Therefore, all culvert maintenance
costs have been allocated as system-wide. Through 2008, the City plans to spend less
than 1 percent (0.45%) of the stormwater utility fe e on culvert maintenance.
As with storm sewers and manholes, it is unlikely that there will be opportunities for
private activities to reduce the City's cost for maintaining culverts. However, if a
nonresidential customer has the resources and equipment, the maximum credit for
culvert maintenance is 1 percent. (Maximum Credit = 1%).
Creeks/Streams
The City of Dubuque has approximately 65 miles of major creeks and streams. Creeks
and streams provide the majority of the stormwater conveyance in the System. Creek
bank and stream bank erosion increase the total suspended solids load, which
increases turbidity, increases the amount of maintenance required for detention basins
and can cause other sediment problems downstream, such as the silting in of dams or
culverts and bridges. Although erosion problems are usually localized, creeks and
streams typically serve drainage areas larger than one square mile. Therefore, the
entire 0.45 percent of stormwater utility fees designated for creeks and streams through
2008 has been budgeted as a system-wide cost. Opportunities for private customers to
reduce the City's costs for creek and stream maintenance are limited due to the
activities and equipment required. However, if a customer has the capabilities to
remove sediment and debris from a creek or stream, the maximum credit is 1 percent.
(Maximum Credit = 1%)
15
Table 1
Stormwater Management Program Cost Allocation
5-Year Planning Period
Dubuque, Iowa
s~~
Manholes
:~~~~~~~:~~:=:=::=.::=:.=:::~:.:~]
.9~~i!.~.'!!£!.CI~II.I1J.E'.".!?r~r.!!'!!_~_._... --
~~~~fr91119!Sj[)~~t..§.EJryiceJ.. """."'--1
TOTAL ill
Notes:
1) Total program based on average of 41 ,163
billing unltsll11o at $1.29 rate.
Utlllty-
Funded
Program
Cost
(~O\
687
317
678
99
14
14
832
g§..
3.168
Percent
of Total
...£2!!..
..~2ß_~.'Io.
System-
Wide Local
Allocation Allocation
100.00%...g,.99Y.~...~_..
Percent of Percent of
Total Cost for Total Cost for
Local System-Wide
Allocation Allocation
. -~Q:9.Q~&_... ......_-..2.1ß~_~/'.....
.19:Q9Y.~_.
,_2_1:41%....
3:1~.,!~-
..9:45.'10.
- 9A5.'(, ..
2.t?:~§'Io_.
16.60%
100.00%
..10.00%..
.20.00%
20.00%
100.00%
100.00%
90.00%
100.00%
90.00%
[::::~~;9.Q:;¡;...~:.
.....§Q.:99_'!~....
0.00%
':=.'()~q9.%:..:::.
9.0 1.
4.
O.
O.
O.
NOTE: The maximum credit per account is limited to 50% of the billing units.
~
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4.1.3 Capital Improvement Program
Capital improvement projects are projects built to improve the infrastructure or
performance of the City's'Stormwater Management System. They can include storm
sewer expansions or upgrades, detention facilities, pump stations, bridge replacements
and channel reconstruction.
Approximately 26 percent of the stormwater utility fee is designated for capital
improvement projects and associated bond retirement. Approximately 90 percent of
these projects are classified as system-wide and 10 percent are local. Customers who
qualify may receive a credit of up to 3 percent (2.6%) for local projects and an
additional 24 percent (23.6%) for projects classified as system-wide. However, it is
unrealistic that a customer would have the private resources to assist with the
construction of a public stormwater facility. Moreover, it is unlikely that a private citizen
would be allowed to assist the City with implementing future facility construction or
facility repair. Only under extremely rare circumstances would a customer be eligible
for a CIP credit. (Maximum Credit = 26%)
4.1.4 NPDES
The EPA has listed the following six minimum control measures that communities must
implement as part of its municipal stormwater management program: public education
and outreach on stormwater, public involvement and participation, illicit discharge
detection and elimination, construction site stormwater runoff control, post-construction
site stormwater management in new development and redevelopment and pollution
prevention/good housekeeping for municipal operations. Public education and outreach
and public involvement and participation make up approximately 50 percent of the
budget for EPA compliance. The remainder of the budget is distributed equally among
the remaining tasks.
The City will consider credits for public education/outreach and public
involvement/participation tasks. The maximum credit for each of these tasks is 4
percent. Activities considered must be applicable to the program outlined in the City's
NPDES Phase II permit.
There are no opportunities for credits on the remaining 4 minimum control measures
because these activities have a significant engineering component and must be
conducted by City staff, consultants, or contractors. (Maximum Credit = 8%)
4.2 Direct Discharge Credit
The maximum direct discharge credit is 20% and is available for the portion of a
property's impervious area that is contiguous to (or contains) and discharges
stormwater directly into, the Mississippi River, Catfish Creek, South Fork Catfish Creek,
or Middle Fork Catfish Creek. Runoff that passes through a public or private drainage
facility such as a detention basin, ditch, or drainage way prior to discharging into one of
the receiving waters identified above is not considered direct discharge. A greater
credit is not available because the City remains responsible for stormwater originating
within the city limits that discharges into waters of the United States.
The direct discharge credit will remain valid until the property is redeveloped or re-
graded. (Maximum Credit = 20%)
~
Table 2
Summary of Maximum Facility and Activity Credits
Activity
Administration/Billing
operátiô,i& Mã¡iïiëñãñëë--'
'catcíi'8asi"ñ-s'---"- ...-...-..,.."-.. '-"----"'---'-"'-'--' 1.00% 0,1
:sïõ,iñ-Sewe, ,,--,..,- ...... ..,-....-----..--..- ,.- .-- 2
-"Manholes --,--_._--------
[~'[~~~~~~E=:~=::::==:::=~:':=:=:=~~:'=:==:==:-::::::~:=- ~; -o:6o~
Capital Improvement Program
,.~~ig~~~~~~~:~~~~~b~=:~:=:~:~:=~'::=:~=;:=::~~:;=-;;::i~Q:_~:;~;:.:, _..::1;90;~~".- ':~~.~~~~::::.:~~~..:..~~~~6~:~:::1
. Public Involvement and Participation _..._._._---:-.JOO,OOo/.L.. -.Q:2..QJ~.__._._'L:1'§'~_.- _.._~~_~JL._...
I. Illicit Disch~~[Jetectlon 2.nd Eliminatlo.'l.....____-_._._._-- -1Q.Q,.OOo/;>- ......Q,OO%__..Q:2..Q.~2.._.._. -._...._9.,9_91'L._._-
Cons!t:uctio~ Site S~ater Runoff ..Qontrol ---....-----.. _..1.Q.Q,Q9!o...- -._...9...00% -..--.-.Q,QQ.r.!.--. _.......Q,9.Q!'L.........
f-P°st-construction Site Stormwater Management -..--.--- _.1QQ,Q9%- ~,Q.o% - _.._...Q.:9.Q.r.!_. --....._9~.Q..Qr.!_.__.
Poliution Prevention/Good HousekeepinQ for Municipal Operations 100,00% 0.00% 0,00% 0.00%
System.
Wide Local
Allocation Allocation
.._--_._---_..._.._.._----_....~....'!.Q..0~Q9..r.o........ ..,.....Q,90.%_....
Maximum Credits
System. I
_bocal Q.'!!Y. . wld!!-",:_~.Ç.!I.L
Upstream Upstream
AreaS 1 Area> 1
s uare mile s uare mile
.......2,,990/;>....... _........9,QQr.o... .....
NOTE: The maximum credit per account is limited to 50% of the total biliing units.
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4.3
Private Detention Basin Credit
A private detention basin credit may be available to a customer that maintains a private
detention (or retention) basin that reduces the impact of the stormwater drainage on
downstream properties. There are two concurrent credits available: peak preservation
credit and peak reduction credit.
While the private detention basin credit will remain valid until the property is
redeveloped or re-graded, an annual inspection report must be filed in the office of the
Public Works Director by June 30th. If a customer fails to file the required inspection
report or if a random City inspection finds that the detention basin does not operate as
outlined in the original credit application, the City will send a letter informing the
customer of the required action to avoid revocation of the credit. If the property owner
fails to take the required action, the credits will be revoked. In the case where
inspection reveals that the detention basin does not operate as outlined in the original
credit application, the credits will be revoked retroactive to the most recent inspection
documentation that found the detention basin operational as outlined in the original
credit application. The credit may be restored when the customer takes the required
actions and provides documentation that detenti on basin functions properly.
4.3.1 Peak Flow Preservation Credit
The maximum peak flow preservation credit is 10% and is available when a detention
basin preserves the peak flow of runoff from the site during 2, 10, and 100-year rains.
In other words, the credit is available when the peak flow of runoff during 2, 10, and
100-year rains following development does not exceed the peak flow of runoff that
occurred prior to development.
While the preservation of peak flows has been a requirement for developments that are
an acre or more in size since the mid-nineties, an inequity arises between sites
developed prior and those developed after the City's detention policy. Without
detention credits, newer developments pay twice; once as an increase in development
costs and the loss of usable land and twice when paying the Stormwater Management
Utility fee for services that, in part, result from poor stormwater practices on other
customers' properties. A greater credit is not warranted because even though a
developer must preserve the peak flow (the largest volume of water leaving the site at
one time does not increase as a result of the development) a developer does not
address the increase in the flow (other than the peak flow), volume, or velocity of
stormwater runoff leaving the site due to the development of the property. (Maximum
Credit = 10%)
4.3.2 Peak Flow Reduction Credit
The maximum peak flow reduction credit 12% and is available for a detention basin that
reduces the peak flow of runoff from the site by at least twenty percent during 2, 10,
and 100-year rains. In other words, the peak flow of runoff during 2, 10, and 100-year
rains following development is twenty percent lower than the peak flow of runoff that
occurred prior to development. A 4% credit is available for a twenty percent reduction
in peak flows for each of the three rain events.
The credit is an incentive for a developer to provide more detention than is required by
the City's stormwater detention policy. (Maximum Credit = 12%)
~
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4.4
Private NPDES Permit Credit
The maximum National Pollution Discharge Elimination System credit is 10% and is
available for a customer who maintains an NPDES General Permit No.1 or General
Permit No.2 for storm water discharge associated with an industrial--activity.
Certain private industrial operations are required to obtain an NPDES permit from the
Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). The permit requires the industrial
operation to implement measures to manage stormwater runoff to minimize the
pollutants associated with the stormwater runoff that leaves the property. The
justification for the credit is in the recognition that some industrial activities have
additional costs associated with stormwater runoff. They must manage both the
quantity and quality of the stormwater runoff.
4.5 Credit Summary
Table 3 is a summary of the Stormwater Management Utility credits that are available.
Appendix C is the credit application packet and the specific requirements to obtain a
credit.
4.6 Credit Application Process
The City of Dubuque Engineering Division will accept applications from customers for
credits. Applications are available in the Office of the Engineering Division at City Hall.
In most cases, engineering calculations are required to support credits. A registered
professional engineer may be required to prepare some of the supporting application
documents.
Table 3 Summary of credits available per customer account
Upstream Upstream
Credit Area> 1 AreaS 1 Maximum
sQuare mile SQuare mile Available
Facilitv and Activity Credits
Operation & Maintenance
Catch Basins 10% g% 10%
Storm Sewer 21% 17% 21%
Manholes 3% 3% 3%
Culverts/Bridges 1% 0% 1%
Creeks/Streams 1% 0% 1%
Capital Improvement Program
Future Projects (Debt Relief) 26% 3% 26%
NPDES
Public Education and Outreach 4% 4% 4%
Public Involvement and Participation 4% 4% 4%
Direct Discharge Credit 20% 5% 20%
Private Detention Basin Credit
Peak Preservation Credit 10%
Peak Reduction Credit 12%
Private NPDES Permit Credit 10%
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NOTE: The maximum credit per account is limited to 50% of the total billing units.
The basic credit application procedure is as follows:
Step 1:
Customer picks up a credit application packet from the address below.
City of Dubuque, Engineering Division
2nd Floor, City Hall
50 W. 13th Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
Phone: (563) 589-4270
Step 2:
For each of the credits the customer applies for, the customer must
complete and assemble the required forms and documentation.
Step 3:
Customer returns the required forms and documentation to the City of
Dubuque, Engineering. Division along with the credit application fee.
Step 4:
The Public Works Director will review credit requests and supporting
documentation.
Upon approval of a stormwater credit, the credit will be given at the next billing. A credit
may be retroactive to the beginning of the City's current Fiscal Year if it can be shown
to the satisfaction of the Public Works Director that the justification for the credit was in
place at that time.
To ensure that credits remain justified, a credit application will only remain valid for one
year. Each year a customer can re- apply for the credit.
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Section 5 - Appeals
A customer, who disagrees with the interpretation or application of a provision in this
manual or ordinances relating to the Stormwater Management Utility, may appeal in
writing to the Public Works Director by using Stormwater Management Utility Form No.
3. The form should be submitted to the Public Works Director within 90 days after the
dispute arises.
Once the Public Works Director has rendered a written interpretation or ruling on the
appeal, the customer may file an appeal with the City Manager. The appeal to the City
Manager must be filed within 30 days after the Public Works Director's decision.
The customer must set forth in full (or attach a complete copy of) the following: 1) the
interpretation, ruling, or order; and 2) the applicable provisions of the city policy or
related ordinance. The customer must also state, with specificity, wherein the
interpretation, ruling or order is erroneous. If the appeal is based on a request for an
adjustment or credit, the appeal must specify the provision(s) from which the
adjustment or credit is sought, and how the request otherwise satisfies, and does not
significantly conflict with the other requirements of this manual and the applicable city
policies.
The City Manager will complete the review of the appeal and provide a written decision
within 30 days of receipt of the appeal. The customer may request review of the City
Manager's decision by the City Council by filing a written appeal with the City Clerk
within 30 days after the City Manager's decision.
22
Appendix A
,- :
ORDINANCE NO.7 -03 .
AMENDING THE CITY OF DUBUQUE CODE OF ORDINANCES CHAPTER 44
BY ADDING THERETO A NEW DIVISION V. STORMWA TER MANAGEMENT,
ESTABLISHING A STORMWATER MANAGEMENT UTILITY DISTRICT,
PROVIDING FOR THE POWERS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE
UTILITY, ESTABLISHING A STORMWATER MANAGEMENT CHARGE;
ESTABLISHING A POLICY REGARDING EXPENDITURE OF UTILITY
REVENUES.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. Chapter 44 of the City of Dubuque Code of Ordinances is
hereby amended by adding thereto the following:
ARTICLE V. STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
Sec. 44-270. Definitions.
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the
meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly
indicates a different meaning:
Bonds means revenue bonds, notes, loans or any other debt obligations issued
or incurred to finance the costs of construction.
Contributor or user means any person owning, operating, or otherwise
responsible for property within the city which directly or indirectly discharges
stormwater or surface or subsurface waters to any portion of the stormwater
management system, including direct or indirect discharges to the city's
stormwater drainage system, or which is directly or indirectly protected by the
city's flòod protection .system or stormwater drainage system. The term
.contributor" or .user" means any person responsible for the direct or indirect
discharge of stormwater or surface or subsurface waters to the city's stormWater
drainage system.
-
Costs of construction means costs reasonably incurred in connection with
providing capital improvements to the system or any portion thereof, including but
not limited to the costs of the following:
(1 )
Acquisition of all property, real or personal, and all interests in connection
therewith including all rights-of-way and easements therefore;
(2)
Physical construction, installation and testing including the costs of labor,
services. materials, supplies and utility services used in connection
(3)
(4)
therewith;
Architectural, engineering, legal and other professional services;
Insurance premiums during construction, to the
extent not paid for by a contractor for construction and installation;
(5)
(6)
Any taxes or other charges which become due during construction;
Expenses incurred by the city or on its behalf with its approval in seeking
to enforce any remedy against any contractor or subcontractor in respect
of any default under a contract relating to construction;
(7)
(8)
Principal and interest on any bonds: and
Miscellaneous expenses incidental thereto.
Debt seNiee means the amount of money necessary annually to pay the interest
on outstanding debt and pay the principal of maturing debt.
Developed property means real property upon which a structure or impervious
surface has been placed or constructed, thus increasing the amount of rainwater
or surface water runoff.
Director means the city engineer as director of the. stormwater management
utility.
Dwelling unit means a singular unit or apartment providing complete,
independent living facilities for one or more persons induding permanent
provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation.
Single-Family Unit or SFU means the average impervious area of a single-family
residential property located within the city as periodically determined and
established as provided in this artide.
SFU rate means the dollar value periodically determined and assigned to each
SFU as a charge for stormwater management services, and expressed as $X.xx
per SFU.
Exempt property means public right-of-ways induding public streets, alleys,
sidewalks, and public drainage facilities.
Extension and replacement means costs of extensions, additions and capital
improvements to or the renewal and replacement of capital assets of or
purchasing and installing new equipment for the system or land acquisition for
the system and any related costs thereto or paying extraordinary maintenance
'.
and repair, including the costs of construction, or any'other expenses which are
not costs of operation and maintenance or debt service.
Fiscal year means a 12-month peñod 'commencing on July 1, and ending on
June 30 of the succeeding year.
Flood protection system means the system of levees, floodwalls, floodgates,
storm sewer gatewells, and stormwater pumping stations lying adjacent to ñvers,
creeks, and streams within the city, including associated control and operating
equipment and facilities whether adjacent to such ñvers, creeks, or streams or
remotely located, which are intended to provide flood protection to properties
adjacent to such ñvers, creeks, and streams. .
Impervious area means the number of square feet of hard-surfaced areas which
either prevent or retard the entry of water into soil mantle, as it entered under
natural conditions as - undeveloped property, and/or cause water to run off the
surface in greater quantities or at an increased rate of flow from that present
under natural conditions as undeveloped property, including but not limited to
roofs, roof extensions, patios, porches, dñveways, sidewalks, concrete/asphalt
pavement, gravel surfaces and athletic courts.
Multifamily residential property means a residential structure designed with two
or -more dwelling units to accommodate two or more families or groups of
individuals living separately and not shañng the same living space.
Nonoperating revenues refers to revenues deñved from activities other than the
basic operations of the stormwater management system, but excluding interest
income on bond proceeds and on contributed capital.
Nonresidential property means any property developed for commercial,
industñal, govemmental, or instftutional use, including churches, hospitals, and
other eleemosynary institutions and including multiuse properties incorporating
residential uses, but excluding undeveloped property and property used
exclusively for agñcultural purposes.
'.
Operating budget means the annual operating budget for the stormwater
management utility adopted by the city council for the succeeding fiscal year.
Operations and maintenance expense means the current expenses, paid or
accrued, of operation, maintenance and current repair of the system, as
calculated in accordance with sound accounting practice, and includes, without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, insurance premiums, administrative
expenses including record keeping, the cost of mateñals and supplies used for
current operations, and charges for the accumulation of appropñate reserves for
current expenses not annually incurred, but which are such as may reasonably
be expected to be incurred in accordance with sound accounting practice.
-~--~. -
- - ,- ---.---
-~_,_"-~'--____4'
Single-family residential property means a detached residential structure
designed as a single dwelling unit to accommodate one family or group of
individuals living together and sharing the same living space, but exclUding multi-
class (i.e. commercial, residential, industrial, institutional etc.) properties which
include single-family residential uses.
Revenues means all rates, fees, assessments, rentals or other charges or other
income received by the utility, in connection with the management and operation
of the system, including amounts received from the investment or deposit of
moneys in any fund or account and any amounts contributed by the city, all as
calculated in accordance with sound ?ccounting practice.
Stormwater drainage system means the system of publicly or privately owned or
operated rivers, creeks, ditches, drainage channels, pipes, basins, street gutters,
and lakes within the city through which or into which stormwater runoff, surface
water, or subsurface water is conveyed or deposited.
Stormwater management charge means the charge authorized by state law and
this article which is established to pay operations and maintenance, extension,
replacement and debt service of the stormwater drainage system.
Stormwater management utility or utility means the enterprise fund utility created
by this article to operate, maintain aI1d improve the system and for such other
purposes as stated in this article.
Storm water management utility system or system means the existing storrnwater
management facilities, stormwater drainage system, and flood protection system
of the city and all improvements thereto which by this article are constituted as
the property and responsibility of the utiIity, to be operated as an enterprise fund
to, among other things, conserve water, control discharges and flows
necessitated by rainfall events; and incorporate methods to collect, convey,
store, absorb, inhibit, treat, use or reuse water to prevent or reduce flooding,
overdrainage, environmental degradation and water pollution or otherwise affect
the quality and quantity of discharge from such system.
Total annual revenue requirements refers to the total amount of revenue required
in one year to meet all expenditures incurred during that year for the financing of
construction and for the operations and maintenance, including administration
and renewal and replacement funding, of the stormwater drainage system,
including facilities for the collection, transportation, and treatment of storrnwater,
and of the flood control protection system, including river levees and storrnwater
pumping stations.
Undeveloped property means real property that has no'impervious area.
Sec. 44-271. Declaration of purpose; establishment of district
(a)
The city council finds, determines, and declares it to be Conducive to the
health, welfare, safety and convenience of the city and its residents that a
stormwater management utility district be established within the city.
Consequently, pursuant to Iowa Code § 384.84(1), a stormwater
management utility district, to be known as The Dubuque Stormwater
Management Utility, is established, and it is ordained and declared that
the city shall be and constitute the stormwater management utility district,
and that the utility shall comprise and include elements of the city's
stormwater drainage and flood protection systems which provide for the
collection, treatment and disposal of stormwater, surface water, and
groundwater. It is further found, determined, and declared that the
elements of the stormwater management utility are of benefit and provide
services to all real properties within the incorporated city limits, including
property not directly served by the stormwater drainage system, and that
such benefits and services may include but are not limited to the provision
of adequate systems of collection, conveyance, detention, treatment and
release of stormwater; the reduction of hazard to property and life
resulting from stormwater runoff and flooding; improvement in general
health and welfare through reduction of undesirable stonmwater conditions
and flooding; and improvement to the water quality in the stormwater and
surface water system and its receiving waters.
(b)
It is further determined and declared to be necessary and conducive to the
protection of the public health, welfare, safety and convenience of the city
and its residents that charges be levied upon and collected from the
owners or occupants of all lots, parcels of real estate, and buildings that
discharge storrnwater or surface or subsurface waters, directly or
indirectiy, to the city storrnwater drainage system, and that the proceeds of
such charges so derived be used .for the purposes of operation,
maintenance, repair, replacement and debt service for construction of the
stormwater drainage and flood protection improvements comprising the
stormwater management utility. .
Sec. 44-272. Powers, duties and responsibilities.
The stormwater management utility shall have the following powers, duties, and
responsibilities:
(1 )
Prepare ordinances as needed to implement this article and forward the
ordinances to the city council for consideration and adoption, and adopt
such regulations and procedures as are required to implement this article
and carry out its duties and responsibilities.
. .--....- --,-. ~~
~_.-
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
Administer the acquisition, design, construction, maintenance and
operation of the utility system, including capital improvements designated
in the comprehensive drainage plan. -
Administer and enforce this article and all ordinances, regulations and
procedures adopted relating to the design, construction, maintenance,
operation and alteration of the utility system, including but not limited to
the quantity, quality and/or velocity of the stonnwater conveyed thereby.
Inspect private systems as necessary to detennine the compliance of such
systems with this article and any ordinances or regulations adopted
pursuant to this article.
Prepare and revise a comprehensive drainage and flood protection plan
for periodic review and adoption by the city council.
(6)
Review plans, approve or deny, inspect and accept extensions to. the
stonnwater drainage system.
(7)
Establish and enforce regulations to protect and maintain water quality
within the system in compliance with water quality standards established
by state, regional and/or federal agencies as adopted or amended.
(8)
Annually analyze the cost of services and benefits provided, and the
system and structure of fees, charges, fines and other revenues of the
utility, and make recommendations regarding adjustments to such
fees, charges, fines and other revenues. .
(9)
Prepare an annual operating budget for the utIlity and make
recommendations regarding the fjnancing of the cost of extending and
replacing the system.
Sec. 44-273. Organization.
The city council shall be the goveming body of the stormwater management
utility. The stonnwater management utility shall be under the direction,
management and control of the city engineer who shall function as its director. In
that capacity, the director shall supervise the day-to-day operation of the
stonnwater management utility, shall enforce this article and the provisions of all
ordinances and regulations adopted pursuant to this article and shall carry out
the policy directives of the city council acting in its role as goveming body of the
stormwater management utility.
Sec. 44-274. Establishment of SFU, SFU rate and stormwater management
charge; establishment of policy regarding expenditure of utility revenues.
(a)
(b)
~--
For purposes of this article, an SFU shall be equivalent to 2,917 square
feet of impervious property.
(c)
Except as provided in this article, every contributor ownin9-or occupying a
single-family residential property, multifamily residential property, or a
nonresidential property, other than exempt property, shall pay to the city ,
at the same time payment is made for water service, sanitary sewer or
refuse, a stormwater management charge to be determined and billed as
provided in this article. In the event the owner and the occupant of a
particular property are not the same, the liability for payment of the
stormwater management charge attributable to that property shall be joint
and several as to the owner and occupant. The stormwater management
charge shall be a monthly service charge and shall be determined by this
article and the SFU rate which is established in this article and from time
to time adjusted as provided in this article.
The stormwater management charges provided in sections 44-275
through 44-276 of this article shall be applied and computed for each
contributor during the customary billing periods as to all bills mailed by the
city's finance director, and such charges shall thereafter be paid and
collected as provided in this article.
(d)
The SFU rate to be applied to residential and nonresidential properties for
the period July 1, 2003 through June 30, 2008 shall be $1.29 per SFU.
The director shall determine the SFU rate to be applied to residential and
nonresidential properties within the city and shall certify the same promptly
thereafter to the city manager. The city manager shall inform the city
council of the rate so calculated at the time that the budget for the
storrnwater management utility is submitted to the council for its review
and approval. If it is determined that the SFU rate is to be adjusted, the
city manager shall thereafter publish said adjusted rate once in a
newspaper of general circulation, shall give notice thereof to contributors if
and as required by applicable state or federal law, and shall, in the
absence of council enactment of an ordinance not later than May 1
directing the imposition of a different rate, proceed to impose and collect
the adjusted rate from and after July 1 of that year.
(e)
If at any time the director determines that the SFU rate and/or the budget
for the stormwater management utility system requires adjustment, the
director shall report such determination to the city manager and city
council. The city council may at any time adjust the SFU rate by adoption
of an ordinance amending this section, and may at any time adjust the
budget for the stomiwater management utility system by adoption of an
appropriate resolution.
-~_.-
--..---.-
(f)
The city council hereby establishes a formal policy regarding' the
expenditure of storrnwater management utility revenues as follows:
(1 )
The city manager shall develop and implement a cost accounting system,
capable of accurately recording and segregating charges to the system by
all departments of the city, to include the cost of personnel, machinery,
contract equipment and construction, supplies, depreciation, and any and
all miscellaneous expenses and purchases.
(2)
No revenues generated by the stormwater utility user fee shall be used for
any purpose other than stormwater expenses.
Sec. 44-275. Storm water management charge for single-family residential
property.
(a)
The stormwater management charge for a single-family residential
property shall be the following percentage of the SFU rate:
Impervious Area Percentage
of the Property of SFU Rate
(square feet)
1,471 or less 50%
1,472 to 4,374 100%
4,375 or more 150%
(b)
As to a new single-family residence, the stormwater management charge
attributable to that residence shall commence upon the earlier of the
following:
(1) The issuance of a permanent water-meter.
(2) If no water-meter is issued for that development or if development has
halted, on the date that the director or the director's designee determines
in reasonable judgment that the development is substantially complete or
has been halted for at least three months
(c)
Any owner or occupant of a residential property aggrieved by the director's
calculation of the stormwater management charge as provided in this
section may appeal such determination to the director as provided in
section 44-280 of this article.
Sec. 44-276. Stormwater management charge for non-single family
residential property.
(a) The stormwater management charge for a non-single family residential
property shall be the following percentage of the SFU rate multiplied by
the number of dwelling units on the property: .
Non-single residential Percentage
Family Property of SFU Rate
Classification
Multifamily (excluding 42%
condominiums and mobile
homes)
Condominium 83%
Mobile Home 65%
Sec. 44-277. Reserved
Sec. 44-278. Stormwater management charge for nonresidential property.
(a)
The stormwater management charge for nonresidential property shall be
the SFU rate multiplied by the numerical factor obtained by dividing the
total impervious area of a nonresidential property by the number of square
feet in one SFU. The minimum charge for any nonresidential property
shall be equal to one SFU rate. For newly developed' nonresidential
property, the charge attributable to that property shall commence or
increase, for additional development to property which is already
developed, upon the issuance of the certificate of occupancy for such
additional development or, if no certificate of occupancy will be issued for
that development or if development has halted, on the date that the
director or the director's designee determines in reasonable judgment that
the development is substantially complete or has been halted for at least
three months.
(b)
For separately metered occupancy units within a nonresidential property
with joint users of common impervious areas, the director shall calculate
---
(c)
(d)
and allocate the pro rata stormwater management charge among the
users.
Any owner or occupant of a nonresidential property aggrieved by the
director's calculation of the stormwater management charge or allocation
among users as provided in this section may appeal such determination to
the director as provided in section 44-280 of this article.
An adjustment to the stormwater charge may be granted by the director
who is hereby authorized to establish procedures and standards for the
adjustment of fees. .
Sec. 44-279. Reserved
Sec. 44-280. Appeal of impervious surface calculation.
(a)
Any owner or occupant of a single-family residential property aggrieved by
the initial or any subsequent determination of the stormwater management
charge for such property, as provided in section 44-275 Df this article, may
appeal such determination and calculation to the director, utilizing
information supplied by the appealing owner or occupant, provided such
information is verified as correct by a certified professional engineer or
surveyor at the owner or occupant's expense.
(b)
Any owner or occupant of a multifamily residential property aggrieved by
the initial or any subsequent calculation of the stormwater management
charge, as provided in section 44-276 of this article, may appeal such
calculations and allocation to the director as outlined herein.
(c)
Any owner or occupant of nonresidential property aggrieved by the initii;"
or any subsequent calculation of the total impervious area of such
property, calculation of the stormwater management charge for such
property, as provided is section 44-278 of this article, may appeal such
calculations or allocation to the director. Upon such appeal, the
stormwater management charge shall be recalculated using information
obtained as provided in this section.
(d)
An appeal by the owner, occupant, or occupant organization of a single-
family or multifamily residential property must be filed in writing within 90
days after the initial billing of the stormwater management charge for that
property or within 90 days after any billing showing a recalculation of the
stormwater management charge for that property. For an appeal occurring
within 90 days of the initial billing of a property, any adjustment of the
stormwater management charge resulting from such appeal shall be
retroactive to the date of the initial billing. For an appeal occurring within
90 days of a billing showing a recalculation of the stormwater
management charge, any adjustment of the 'stormwater management
charge resulting from such appeal shall be retroactive to the date the
recalculated bill went into effect.
(e)
The owner, occupant, or occupant organization of a-nonresidential
property, who is aggrieved (i) by the initial or any subsequent calculation
of the impervious area of the property, (ii) by the calculation of the
stormwater management charge, or (iii) by the allocation of such charge
among occupants, may appeal such determinations, provided that such
appeal must be filed in writing within 90 days after the initial billing of the
stormwater management charge for that property or within 90 days after
any billing showing a recalculation of the stormwater management charge
for that property. If an appeal occurs within 90 days after the initial billing
of a property, any adjustment of the stormwater management charge
resulting from such appeal shall be retroactive to the date of the initial
billing. If an appeal occurs within 90 days after a billing showing a
recalculation of the stormwater management charge, any adjustment of
the stormwater management charge resulting from such appeal shall be
retroactive to the date the recalculated bill went into effect.
(f)
Appeals by the owners, occupants, or occupant organizations of
multifamily residential properties or nonresidential properties shall include
a statement of the total property area, and/or total impervious area, as
appropriate for the particular grounds for appeal. Appeals by the owners of
single-family residential properties shall include a statement or data
showing the actual square footage of the lot or parcel. Such information
may be shown on stormwater management reporting forms or on appeal
forms and may be accompanied by plats, county assessor's records, or
survey data. The director may request additional information from the
appealing party. Based upon the information provided by the utility and
appealing party, the director shall make a final calculation of the
stormwater management charge. The director shall notify the parties, in
writing. of the director's decision within 90 days after receipt of the appeal.
If still aggrieved, a party may request, in writing, a review by the city
manager of the director's decision. Such request must be filed with the city
manager within 30 days after the director's decision, shall cite specific
error by the director, and shall include the calculation of the stormwater
management charge which the appealing party believes to be correct. The
city manager shall review the record presented and render a written
decision within 30 days after receipt of the request for review. The city
manager may request additional information from either party. If still
aggrieved, a party may request review of the city manager's decision by
the city council in the same manner as above provided for review by the
city manager. The filing of an appeal shall not excuse the payment of the
stormwater management charge when due. However, the city shall refund
--- -~~.
._~--
any portion of the charge paid subsequent to the filing of the appeal which
is adjudged to be excessive, with interest at the rate provided by law.
Sec. 44-281. Rate determinations; compliance with bond covenañts.
(a)
(b)
In calculating the SFU rate as provided in section 44-274 of this artide, the
director shall include in the budgeted expense and revenue amounts
sufficient funds as will ensure compliance with any and all rate covenants
applicable to any outstanding bonds, notes or other obligations issued in
connection with the construction and operation of the stormwater
management utility system.
For purposes of complying with any covenant relating to the issuance of
additional bonds, notes or other. obligations ranking on a parity with
outstanding bonds issued in connection with the construction and
operation of the stormwater management utility, the director shall, prior to
council consideration of the resolution to take additional action for the
issuance of such additional bonds, and with such assistance from the
city's independent accountants as the director deems necessary, calculate
the SFU rate necessary to produce revenues sufficient to comply with
such covenant and shall certify the rate to the city manager. The city
manager shall inform the city council of the revised SFU rate at the time
that the resolution to take additional action for the issuance of such bonds
is submitted to the council for its review and approval. Upon council
approval of such resolution, the city manager shall publish the revised
SFU rate once in a newspaper of general circulation, shall give notice
thereof to contributors if and as required by applicable state or federal law,
and shall proceed to impose and collect the rate commencing with the
next ~vailable billing cycle.
Sec. 44-282. Billing procedures; delinquent accounts and collection
procedures.
(a)
The procedures for billing of the stormwater management service charges
provided in sections 44-275 through 44-278 of this article and for the
collection of delinquent stormwater management service charges shall be
as provided in section 44-86.
(b)
Contributors who are not billed by the city for water, sanitary sewer or
refuse shall be directly billed for stormwater management services by the
city. In such instances, the billing and collection of storrnwater
management charges shall be subject to the same rules and procedures
as to delinquency in payment, certification of delinquency, and property
lien as provided in section 44-86.
Sec. 44-283. Annual review of SFU rate.
Under this article, the director shall review the SFU rate annually and revise the
rate as necessary to ensure that the system generates adequate revenues to pay
total annual revenue requirements.
Sec. 44-284. Reserved.
Sec. 44-285. Reserved
Sec. 44-286. Expenses of collection of stormwater management charges.
The incremental cost of collecting and accounting for all stormwater management
charges, including reasonable compensation to the finance director; the
maintenance of all books and records; the employment of necessary personnel;
. the cost of all books, records, materials and supplies; the obtaining and
maintaining of all office ånd storage space; and all other costs and expenses
reasonably necessary in connection therewith or incidental thereto, shall be a
part of the cost of operating the stormwater utility and shall be incurred when the
finance director, in the exercise of his or her judgment, shall so determine. The
incremental cost thereof shall be deducted by the finance director, upon his or
her certification as to the amount thereof, from the remittance to which it relates.
subject to the condition that any proposed change in any method of computing
such incremental cost may be effective prospectively only and only after such
proposed change shall have been submitted to and approved by the city council.
Sec. 44-287. Reserved.
Section 2. This Ordinance shall take effect upon publication.
Passed, approved and adopted this 27th day of Februarv
,2003.
Attest:
-----.
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Appendix B
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT UTILITY FORM NO.1
RESIDENTIAL SFU ADJUSTMENT
DATE:
BILLING ACCOUNT NUMBER:
PROPERTY ADDRESS:
PARCEL !.D. #:
TYPE OF RESIDENTIAL UNIT (CHECK APPROPRIATE BOX):
0 Single Family «1,471 W) 0 Single Family «1,472 to 4,375 ft2) 0 Single Family (>4,375 ft2)
0 Duplex 0 Condominium 0 Apartment
0 Multi-family 0 Other
PARCEL AREA (square feet):
REASON FOR SFU ADJUSTMENT:
0 CONDITION 1: Single family home being charged for the incorrect amount of impervious area.
0 CONDITION 2: Multi-family property is being billed for more units than there are rental units.
0 Other, explain:
If Condition 1 is checked, complete the following: If Condition 2 is checked, complete the following:
Number of SFUs being billed') Number of SFUs being billed(1)
Measured Impervious area Number of rental units
(square feet)
APPLICANT'S SIGNATURE:
APPLICATION REVIEWED BY: DATE:
APPLICATION APPROVED: 0 Yes 0 No
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL OR REASON FOR DENIAL AND COMMENTS:
"II ..
Dollar amount of stormwater fee on bIll dIvIded by $1.29.
REVISED 12-16-03
- "-' -- - -
---,- '""-~
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT UTILITY FORM NO.2
NON-RESIDENTIAL SFU ADJUSTMENT
DATE:
.-
BILLING ACCOUNT NUMBER:
PROPERTY ADDRESS:
PARCEL 1.0. #:
TYPE OF DEVELOPMENT:
PARCEL AREA (square feet):
Billed Number of SFUs:
REASON FOR SFU ADJUSTMENT:
0 CONDITION 1
Incorrect amount of impervious area
0 CONDITION 2
Gravel areas not used for regular vehicular traffic (ingress/egress or parking) calculated as
impervious area on utility bill
0 Other, explain:
If Condition 1 is checked, complete the following: If Condition 2 is checked, complete the following:
Property Impervious Area (sqft) Non-vehicular Gravel Area (sqft)
Revised Number of SFUsI1) Revised Number of SFUsI2)
APPLICANT'S SIGNATURE:
APPLICATION REVIEWED BY: DATE:
APPLICATION APPROVED: 0 Yes 0 No
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL OR REASON FOR DENIAL AND COMMENTS:
\'1 - ..
RevIsed number of SFUs Property's Impervious area dIVIded by 2917.
(2) Revised number of SFUs = Billed number of SFUs - [(Non-vehicular gravel area divided by 2917)]
REVISED 12-16-03
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT UTILITY FORM NO.3
PETITION TO APPEAL
DATE:
COMPLAINTANT:
COMPLAINTANT'S
ADDRESS:
PHONE #:
BILLING ACCOUNT NAME:
BILLING ACCOUNT NUMBER:
PARCEL 1.0. NUMBER:
PARCEL'S
ADDRESS:
TYPE OF DEVELOPMENT (Check one)
0 Residential 0 Non-residential
Reason for Appeal (State where a City ruling, interpretation, or order is erroneous and
attach a copy of said ruling, interpretation or order from the City, or specify City
provision or applicable City Policy exemption):
The Appeal has been reviewed by the City Engineer on
On this date, The City Engineer:
0 approved 0 denied the requested appeal. Comments or conditions:
2O_.
FORM UPDATED ON 7-11-03
-,~-~
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT UTILITY FORM NO.4
APPLICATION FOR LOW-INCOME
STORMWA TER FEE REDUCTION
I,
(print) Last Name
as
First
Middle
Head of household living at
Address
Dubuque, Iowa, hereby apply for a reduction of the Storrnwater Utility Fee (and Solid
Waste Collection Fee if applicable) and submit the following information to support my
application.
1. Date of Birth
2. Place of Birth
3. Total Gross Annual Household Income $
(including Social Security)
4. Total Number of Persons Living in this Household
5. Social Security Number
6. Telephone Number
I declare, under penalties of perjury that the information provided above is correct and
true to the best of my knowledge and belief. I agree to notify the City of Dubuque Utility
Billing Department immediately of any change in the information provided with this
application.
(Signature of Applicant)
(Date)
DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE - FOR CITY USE ONLY
Account Number
Age - Income
Application Approved From
to
Application Denied. Reason:
Reviewed By:
Date
REVISED 12-16-03
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT UTILITY FORM NO.5
APPLICATION FOR PROPERTY TAX-EXEMPT
STORMWA TER FEE REDUCTION
Customers that fall into one of the following classes as identified in the Iowa Code 427.1
may be eligible for a property tax-exempt fee reduction: federal and state property;
municipal and military property; public grounds and cemeteries; libraries and art
galleries; property of religious, literary, and charitable societies; prOperty of educational
institutions; and ublic ai orts.
ORGANIZATION NAME:
ADDRESS:
CITY:
CONTACT PERSON:
STATE:
TITLE:
ZIP:
PHONE: (-)
FAX:(_)
IOWA CODE 427.1 EXEMPT CLASS (SEE ABOVE):
SECTION B - SITE INFORMATION
SERVICE ADDRESS:
Dubuque, fA ZIP:
PARCEL 1.0. #: BILLING ACCOUNT #:
ACCOUNT SFUs (Dollar amount of stormwater fee on bill divided by $1.29):
SECTION C - CUSTOMER CERTIFICATION
I hereby request consideration for a property tax-exempt stormwater fee reduction. I
certify that I have the authority and authorization to make such a request for the
property identified herein. I further certify that the information contained in this
application is, to the best of my knowledge, correct and represents a complete and
accurate statement.
Title
Name
Signature
Date
REVISED 1-12-04
~_.
,_.. ".._~---
._.
IOWA CODE 427.1 Exemptions.
The following classes of property shall not be taxed:
1. Federal and state propel1y. The property of the United States and this slate, including state university, university of
science and technology, and school lands. The exemption herein provided shall not inciude any real property subject to
taxation under any federal statute applicable thereto, but such exemption shall extend to and include all machinery and
equipment owned exclusively by the United States or any corporate agency or instrumentality thereof without regard to
the manner of the affIXation ot such machinery and equipment to the land or building upon or 1íi which such property is
located, until such time as the Congress ot the Uniled States shall expressly authorize the taxation of such machinery
and equipment
2.
Muniçipal and military propel1y. The property of a county, township, city, school corporation, levee distrIct, drainage
district, or the Iowa national guard, when devoted to public use and not held for pecuniary profit, except property ot a
municipally owned electric utility held under joint ownership and property of an electrIc power facility financed under
chapter 28F or 476A that shall be subject to taxation under chapter 437 A and facilities of a municipal utility that are used
for the provision of local exchange services pursuant to chapter 476, but only to the extent such facilüies are used to
provide such services, which shall be subject to taxation under chapter 433, except that section 433.11 shall not apply.
The exemption for property owned by a city or county also applies to property which is operated by a city or county as a
library, art gallery or museum, conservatory, boIanical garden or display, observatory or science museum, or as a
location for holding athletic contests, sports or entertainment events, exposüions, meetings or conventions, or leased
trom the city or county for any such purposes, or leased from the city or county by the Iowa national guard or by a federal
agency for the benefrt ot the Iowa national guard when devoted for publ'" use and not for pecuniary profit. Food and
beverages may be served at the events or locations without affecting the exemptions, provided the city has approved the
serving of food and beverages on the property it the property is owned by the city or the county has approved the serving
offood and beverages on the property if the property is owned by the county.
3. Public grounds and cemeteries. Public grounds, including all places for the burIal of the dead; and crematoriums with
the land, not exceeding one acre, on which they are buill and appurtenant thereto, so long as no dividends or profits are
derived therefrom.
7. Libraries and arl gal/eries. All grounds and buildings used for public librarIes, public art gallerIes, and libraries and art
gallerIes owned and kept by private individuals, associations, or corporations, for public use and not for private profit.
8. Propel1y of religious, literary, and charitable societies. All grounds and buildings used or under construction by
literary, scientific, charitable, benevolent, agricullural, and religious institutions and societies solely for their approprIate
objects, not exceeding three hundred twenty acres in extent and not leased or otherwise used or under construction with
a view to pecuniary profit. However, an organization mentioned in this subsection whose primary objective is to preserve
land in ils natural state may own or lease land not exceeding three hundred twenty acres in each county tor its
approprIate objects. All deeds or leases by which such property is held shall be filed for record before the property herein
descrIbed shall be omitted from the assessment. All such property shall be listed upon the tax rolls ot the district or
distrIcts in which it is located and shall have ascrIbed to it an actual fair market value and an assessed or taxabie value,
as contemplated by section 441.21, whether such property be subject to a levy or be exempted as herein provided and
such information shall be open to public inspection.
9. Propel1y of educational institutions. Real estate owned by any educational institution of this state as a part ot its
endowment tund, to the extent of one hundred sixty acres in any civil township except any real property acquired after
January 1, 1965, by any educational institution as a part of its endowment fund or upon which any income is derived or
used, directly or indirectly, for full or partial payment for services rendered, shall be taxed beginning with the levies
applied for taxes payable in the year 1967, at the same rate as all other property of the same class in the taxing distrIct in
which the real property is located. The property acquired prior to January 1, 1965, and held or owned as part of the
endowment fund of an educational insfitution shall be subject to assessment and levy in the assessment year 1974 for
taxes payable in 1975. All the property shall be listed on the assessment rolls in the disIrtct in which the property is
located and an actual fair market value and an assessed or taxable value be ascrIbed to ii, as contemplated by section
441.21, irrespective ot whether an exemption under this subsection may be or is affirmed, and the information shall be
open to public inspection; it being the intent of this section that the property be valued whether or not it be subject to a
levy. Every educational institution claiming an exemption under this subsection shall file with the assessor not later than
February 1 of the year for which the exemption is requested, a statement upon forms to be prescribed by the director ot
revenue and finance, descrIbing and locating the property upon which exemption is claimed. Property which is located on
the campus grounds and used for student union purposes may serve food and beverages without affecting its exemption
received pursuant to subsection 8 or this subsection.
13. Publiç airports. Any lands, the use of which (without charge by or compensation to the holder of the legal title thereto)
has been granted to and accepted by the state or any political subdivision thereof for airport or aircraft landing area
purposes.
SECTION A - CUSTOMER INFORMATION
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT UTILITY FORM NO.6
APPLICATION FOR USER FEE CREDIT
BUSINESS/ORGANIZATION NAME:
ADDRESS:
CITY:
PHONE:<-----..)
I STATE:
I FAX: <-----..)
ZIP:
SECTION B - SITE INFORMATION
SERVICE ADDRESS:
Dubuque, fA ZIP:
PARCEL I.D. #: BILLING ACCOUNT #:
ACCOUNT SFUs (Dollar amount of stormwater fee on bill divided by $1.29):
SECTION C - CREDIT INFORMATION
CREDITS APPLIED FOR [check the appropriate boxes below]:
0 FACiLiTY AND ACTIVITY CREDIT
0 DIRECT DISCHARGE CREDIT
0 PRIVATE DETENTION BASIN CREDIT
0 PRIVATE NPDES PERMIT CREDIT
~~ ~
SECTION D - CUSTOMER CERTIFICATION
I hereby request consideration for a Storm water Management Utìlìty fee credit. I certify
that I have the authority and authorization to make such a request for this property- I
hereby grant to the City, its employees, agents, consulting engineers, contractors and
other representatives the right to enter upon the above described real estate for the
purpose of inspection and surveying of retention/detention basin facìlìties, review of
facility layout and impervious area in conjunction with this application for, and conditions
required to retain, a storm water utility fee credit. I further certify that the information
contained in this application is, to the best of my knowledge, correct and represents a
complete and accurate statement.
Title
Name
Date
Signature
REVISED 1-05-04
Page 1 of2
.---.--
""'" -- -~--~~_..,,-P
SECTION E - FACILITY & ACTIVITY CREDIT
IDENTIFY STORMWATER FACILITY OR ACTIVITY:
0
0
0
0
Public Catch Basin Maintenance
0
0
0
CapitallmprovemenTProject Assistance
City NPDES Program
Creek or Stream Maintenance
Public Storm Sewer Maintenance
Public Manhole Maintenance
Culvert Maintenance
Check if Attached
0
0
0
0
0
Documentation Re
Site Plan or Survey
Description of Stormwater Facility
Maintenance or Activity Plan
Inspection Report (condition of the facility at the time of application)
Application Fee ($ 75.00 )
Check if Attached
0
0
0
0
0
Peak Flow Preservation Peak Flow Reduction
Documentation Required for Application
Site Plan or Improvement Plans (0 On File in the Office of the City Engineer)
Complete Design Calculations (0 On File in the Office of the City Engineer)
Maintenance Schedule (including inspection, mowing, sediment removal, etc.)
Inspection Report (condition of the facility at the time of application)
Application Fee ($ 75.00 )
SECTION G - DIRECT DISCHARGE CREDIT
WATER BODY THAT STORMWATER DISCHARGES TO:
IMPERVIOUS AREA THAT DIRECTLY DISCHARGES:
Check if Attached Documentation Required for Application
0 Site Plan or Survey (0 On File in the Office of the City Engineer)
0 Application Fee ($ 75.00 )
NPDES PERMIT TYPE:
0 General Permit No.1 0 General Permit No.2 0 Other
Check if Attached Documentation Required for Application
0 Copy of NPDES Permit
0 Application Fee ($15.00)
REVISED 1-05-04
Page20f2
SECTION A - CUSTOMER INFORMATION
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT UTILITY FORM NO. 6-R
RE-APPLICA TION FOR USER FEE CREDIT
BUSINESS/ORGANIZATION NAME:
ADDRESS:
CITY:
ZIP:
SERVICE ADDRESS:
Dubuque, /A
ZIP:
BILLING ACCOUNT #:
PARCEL 1.0. #:
ACCOUNT SFUs (Dollar amount of storm water fee on bill divided by $1.29):
SECTION C - CREDIT INFORMATION
CREDITS APPLIED FOR [check the appropriate boxes below]:
0 FACiLiTY AND ACTIVITY CREDIT
0 DIRECT DISCHARGE CREDIT
0 PRIVATE DETENTION BASIN CREDIT
0 PRIVATE NPDES PERMIT CREDIT
SECTION D - CUSTOMER CERTIFICATiON
I hereby request consideration for a Stormwater Management Utility fee credit. I certify
that I have the authority and authorization to make such a request for this property. I
hereby grant to the City, its employees, agents, consulting engineers, contractors and
other representatives the right to enter upon the above described real estate for the
purpose of inspection and surveying of retention/detention basin facilities, review of
facility layout and impervious area in conjunction with this application for, and conditions
required to retain, a stormwater utility fee credit. I further certify that the information
contained in this application is, to the best of my knowledge, correct and represents a
complete and accurate statement.
Title
Name
Signature
Date
REVISED 2-20-04
Page I 0[2
SECTION E - FACILITY & ACTIVITY CREDIT
IDENTIFY STORMWATER FACILITY OR ACTIVITY:
Public Catch Basin Maintenance
0
0
0
CapitallmprovemenrProject Assistance
0
0
0
0
Creek or Stream Maintenance
Public Storm Sewer Maintenance
Public Manhole Maintenance
City NPDES Program
Culvert Maintenance
Check if Attached
0
0
0
0
Documentation Re uired for Application
Inspection Reports from the Previous Year
Maintenance or Activity Plan for the Application Year
0
No Changes from
Previous Year
Inspection Report (condition of the facility at the time of appliætion)
Application Fee ($ 0.00 )
0
0
0
Documentation Required for Application
Inspection Reports from the Previous Year
Check if Attached
Documented Maintenance Performed the Previous Year
0 None Performed
0 No Changes from
Previous Year
Maintenance Schedule for Application Year
0
0
Inspection Report (condition of the facility at the time of application)
Appliætion Fee ($ 0.00 )
SECTION G - DIRECT DISCHARGE CREDIT
WATER BODY THAT STORMWATER DISCHARGES TO:
IMPERVIOUS AREA THAT DIRECTLY DISCHARGES:
0 Site Plan or Survey 10 No Changes from
Previous Year
Check if Attached Documentation Required for Application
0 Appliætion Fee ($ 0.00)
SECTION H - PRIVATE NPDES CREDIT
NPDES PERMIT TYPE: 0 General Permit No.1 0 General Permit No.2 0 Other
Check if Attached Documentation Required for Application
0 Copy of Current NPDES Permit 10 No Changes from
Previous Year
0 Appliætion Fee ($ 0.00 )
REVISED 2-20-04
Page 2 of2
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
DETENTION ANALYSIS CHECKLIST
Project Name
Project Location
The purpose of this checklist is to expedite and facilitate the review process. This
checklist gives the minimum requirements needed for the City's review. Because eve!}'
site is unique, this list should not be considered exhaustive. All items shall be checked
as included or marked N/A. The omission of items might delay and/or lengthen the
City's review process.
Table of Contents or other Submittal Organizational Documentation
Explanation of Analysis with Assumptions
Composite Drainage Area Map(s) - Pre-development
Composite Drainage Area Map(s) - Post-development
Time of Concentration (Tc) Supporting Calculations - Pre-development
Time of Concentration (Tc) Supporting Calculations - Post-development
Runoff Coefficient or CN Calculations, Justification, and Map - Pre-development
Runoff Coefficient or CN Calculations, Justification, and Map - Post-development
Hydrographs (2,10 & 100-yearflows) Pre-development
Hydrographs (2,10 @ 100-yearflows) Mitigated - Post-development
Hydrographs (2, 10 & 100-yearflows) By-passing or Unmitigated - Post-development
Detention Basin Volume Data (ElevationIStorage)
Detention Basin Grading Plan
Detention Basin Outlet Structure Data and Construction Details
Detention Basin Overflow Component
1 OO-year Analysis of Overflow with Developed Upstream Conditions
Detention Basin Routing Data (Stage, Storage, Peak Elevations, Peak Inflow and Outflow)
Combined Hydrographs (2, 10 &100-year flows) Routed and Unmitigated
Velocity Dissipation Calculation at Point of Discharge
Digital Data on CD or by E-mail (Existing and Proposed Contours, Drainage Basins, Lot
Lines, & Utilities)
I, the undersigned, acknowledge by signature that these documents were prepared
under my supervision. I, the undersigned, further acknowledge that to the best of my
knowledge and belief, the products resulting from these documents will result in a
detention facility that will meet or exceed the city's requirements for the project identified
above.
Engineer's Signature
Date
Please use this checklist for all submittals. Although we feel this checklist is complete, we recognize
there is room for improvement. Feedback is welcome.
INCLUDE THIS FORM WITH ALL
APPLICABLE PLANS & SUBMITTALS
DBQ DETENTION ANALYSIS CHECKLIST
REVISED: February 20, 2004
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~._..._--
,-,.""""
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
DETENTION BASIN MAINTENANCE TASKS AND SCHEDULE
Repair erosion
Reestablish permanent
egetation on eroded slopes
Schedule
Tasks
Inspection Actvities
Inspect for standing water
Inspect for sediment
accumulation
Inspect for debris (dead
egetation and trash
Inspect for erosion on banks
and bottom
Inpsect for volunteer and
nuisance plant species
(weeds, trees, etc.)
Inspection by professional
engineer for structural
damage
Keep records of all inspection
ctivities
Submit inspection activity
records to the city
Maintenance Actvities
Remove sediment
accumulation
Annually
Early spring, fall and alter
major storms
Early spring, fall and alter
major storms
Remove litter and debris
Take necessary steps to
liminate standing water
Every 3 to 5 years as needed
(reaches 10-20% of volume)
As needed
Rake out dead vegetation
Annually - early spring
Replace stone rip-rap
Annually - early spring
Mowing
Remove volunteer and
nuisance plant species
DBQ OETENTION BASIN MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE.xls
REVISED: January 14, 2004
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
DETENTION BASIN INSPECTION CHECKLIST
FACILITY OWNER:
FACILITY ADDRESS:
CAUSE: 0 BLOCKED OUTLET 0 DEBRIS BUILDUP 0 OTHER
Debris present (dead vegetation or trash)?
Volunteer/nuisance plants (weeds, trees, etc.) present?
LEVEL: 0 < 10% Basin Volume
0> 10% Basin Volume
Structural damage?
DESCRIPTION:
SUMMARY OF REQUIRED MAINTENANCE
DBa OETENTION BASIN INSPECTION CHECKLIST .xIs
REVISEO: January 14. 2004
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CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT UTILITY FORM NO.7
UTILITY BILLING WORK ORDER - ACCOUNT MODIFICATION
REQUESTED BY: DATE: NUMBER:
CUSTOMER NUMBER:
CUSTOMER NAME:
SERVICE ADDRESS:
PARCEL I.D. #:
----------------- - - --------- ___n______--------- -----
SERVICE CHANGE REQUEST
SERVICE TITLE UNITS
151 SF RES 1 D ADD SERVICE 0.5 D DEL SERVICE D REFUND
152 SF RES 2 D ADD SERVICE 1.0 D DEL SERVICE D REFUND
153 SF RES 3 D ADD SERVICE 1.5 D DEL SERVICE D REFUND
154 MULTI-FAM D ADD SERVICE D DEL SERVICE D REFUND
155 MOB HOME D ADD SERVICE D DEL SERVICE D REFUND
156 COM/IND D ADD SERVICE D DEL SERVICE D REFUND
157 MIX USE D ADD SERVICE D DEL SERVICE D REFUND
165 STMTAX D ADD SERVICE 1.0 D DEL SERVICE D REFUND
195 STM GRANT D ADD SERVICE D DEL SERVICE D REFUND
195 STM GRANT D CHANGE UNITS FROM: TO:
STM CREDIT D ADD SERVICE D DEL SERVICE D REFUND
D CHANGE UNITS FROM: TO
D CHANGE UNITS FROM: TO
REFUND OR SURCHARGE TO APPEAR ON NEXT BILL:
REVISED 12-16-03
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT UTILITY FORM NO. 7A
UTILITY BILLING WORK ORDER - NEW ACCOUNT SETUP
REQUESTED BY:
DATE:
FORM NO 7. NO:
NAME:
ADDRESS:
CITY/STATE:
NUMBER:
STREET:
ZIP:
Authorized agent requesting new stormwater utility account (please print):
Authorized Agent
Date
Agent's Signature
REVISED 1-08-04
,~~~"~~~-~-,~~,~
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-~ -~~---~-
Append ix C
ThÆ~E
~<k~
StormwaterManagement Utility
Fee Reduction Credit Application
City of Dubuque, IA
Winter 2003
~--~,.-
- .& -~--
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Storm water Management Utility
Fee Reduction Credit Application
Storm water Management Utility
Fee Reduction Credit Application
Introduction
The City of Dubuque established a Stonnwater Management UtilitY on February 27,
2003, pursuant to Iowa Code § 384.84(1), with the passage of Ordinance No. 7-03. The
utility provides the City with the authorization to establish and collect just and equitable
rates, fees, and charges for the services and facilities provided by the utility system.
The ordinance also declares that the utility is to provide benefits and services within the
incorporated city limits, including the provision of adequate collection, conveyance,
detention and treatment systems, a hazard reduction to property and life resulting from
stormwater runoff and flooding, improvement in general health and welfare through the
reduction of undesirable stonnwater conditions and flooding, and improvements to
stormwater, surface water and receiving water quality.
No additional City staff personnel have been added to implement or manage the
Stonnwater Management Utility. Therefore, City staff intends to keep the credit
application process as simple as possible, employing principles of equity and reason.
The credit policies have been developed to strike a delicate balance between simplicity,
effectiveness, and equity.
A stonnwater credit is a reduction in a portion of a customer's Stonnwater Utility Fee.
To be eligible for a credit, the customer must demonstrate that an existing or proposed
stormwater facility or a customer's action reduces the City's stormwater program needs
funded by the user fee. Credit eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis. Credits
will not be allowed for any properties that do not pay a stormwater fee.
Typically, residential customers do not have the necessary land or resources to
implement, operate or maintain meaningful or quantifiable stormwater management
facilities. Moreover, the City does not have the means to regulate or oversee individual
residents to ensure that the credit is valid. For example: while the City could issue a
credit for the use of a rain barrel, the City would be unable to verify that a rain barrel is
installed properly or that it is emptied after each rainstonn. Therefore, only
nonresidential customers are eligible for credits.
Available Credits
Credits are divided into four types: facility and activity credits, direct discharge credit,
private detention basin credits, and a private NPDES credit. Table 1 is a summary of
stormwater fee credits. Table 2 outlines the documentation required to apply for a
specific credit. The maximum credit per account is limited to 50% of total billing units.
~
2
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Stormwater Management Ulility
Fee Reduction Credft Application
Table 1. SummarY of Available Stormwater Fee Credits
Maximum
Credit Description Available
Credit
Facilitv and Activitv Credits
Ooeration & Maintenance .-
Generally, the maintenance of a ætch basin requires annual
Catch Basins inspection and sediment removal. Cleaning requires a vacuum 10%
truck and/or climbina into the ætch basin.
Maintenance of the storm sewer system consists of inspection,
Storm Sewer cleaning, and general repairs. If a customer inspects, cleans 21%
and repairs a public storm sewer on private property, the
customer mav be elinible for a Storm Sewer credit.
The maintenance of manholes involves biannual inspection and
Manholes cleaning and repairs as needed. If a customer inspects, cleans 3%
and repairs a public storm manhole on private property, the
customer mav be elinible for a Manhole credit.
Culverts and bridges provide conveyance for stormwater under
Culverts! Bridges roads and other structures." If a customer has the expertise to 1%
inspect, clean, or repair a culvert or bridge the customer may
be eliGible for a Culverts/BridGes credit.
If a customer has the capability to remove sediment and debris
Creeks/ Streams from a creek or stream the customer may be eligible for a 1%
Creeks/ Streams credit.
Canitallmnrovement Proaram
Capital improvement projects are projects built to improve the
Future Projects infrastructure or performance of the City's Stormwater 26%
(Debt Relief) Management System. Under rare circumstances a customer
mav be eliGible for a CIP credit.
NPDES
Public Education The City will consider the maximum credit for public eduætion 4%
& Outreach
Public and outreach and public involvement and participation tasks.
Involvement & Activities considered must be applicable to the program 4%
Participation outlined in the City's NPDES Phase II permit.
Direct Discharae Credit
A direct discharge credit may be available for the portion of a property's impervious
area that is contiguous to (or contains) and discharges stormwater directly into, the 20%
Mississippi River, Catfish Creek, South Fork Catfish Creek, or Middle Fork Catfish
Creek.
Private Detention Basin Credit
Peak Flow Credit may be available if the peak flow of runoff during 2, 10,
Preservation and tOO-year rains after development does not exceed the 10%
peak flow of runoff that occurred nrior to develooment.
Credit may be available if a detention basin is shown to reduce
Peak Flow the pre-development peak flow of runoff from the site by at 12%
Reduction least twenty percent during 2, 10, and 100-year rains following
develonment.
Private NPDES Credit
An NPDES credit may be available is available for a customer who maintains an
NPDES General Permit No.1 or General Permit No.2 for stormwater discharge 10%
associated with an industrial activitY.
NOTE: The maximum credit per account is limited to 50% of the total billing units.
3
---
Facility and Activity Credits
The City's Stormwater Management System is funded through various sources, including the
Dubuque Racing Association distribution, the general fund, bonds, fees, and the Stormwater
User Fee. The City allocates money from each source to activities or facilities associated with
stormwater management. Customers are only allowed facility and activity credits for facilities or
activities that are associated with the City's services funded by the stormwæer user fee. See
Table 1 for a list of the potential facility and activity credits.
Direct Discharge Credit
A direct discharge credit may be available for the portion of a property's impervious area that is
contiguous to (or contains) and discharges stormwater directly into, the Mississippi River,
Catfish Creek, South Fork Catfish Creek, or Middle Fork Catfish Creek. Runoff that passes
through a public or private drainage facility such as a detention basin, ditch, or drainage way
prior to discharging into one of the receiving waters identified above is not considered direct
discharge.
Private Detention Basin Credit
A private detention basin credit may be available to a customer that maintains a private
detention (or retention) basin that reduces the impact of the stormwater drainage on
downstream properties. There are two concurrent credits available: peak preservation credit
and peak reduction credit.
The peak flow preservation credit may be available if the peak flow of runoff during 2, 10, and
100-year rains following development does not exceed the peak flow of runoff that occurred
prior to development.
The peak flow reduction credit may be available if the runoff during 2, 10, and 100-year rains
following development is twenty percent lower than the peak flow of runoff that occurred prior to
development. A 4% credit is available for a twenty percent reduction in peak flows for each of
the three rain events.
In order for stormwater detention facilities to operate as designed, maintenance must be
performed on a routine basis. Improperly maintained facilities fail to provide the intended
stormwater management benefit. The minimum maintenance requirements for detention
facilities are as follows:
1)
The owner must make periodic inspections and fill out an inspection report, noting
the condition of the facility;
2)
The owner must remove sediment when approximately 20% of the storage volume is
filled;
3)
The owner must remove sediment or debris whenever it can potentially block the
outlet structure;
4)
The owner must keep the outlet control structure structurally sound, free from
erosion, and functioning as designed; and
~
4
Stormwater Management Utility
Fee Reduction Credit Application
5)
The owner must maintain the facili ty so that there is NO STANDING WATER.
If a random City inspection finds that the detention basin does not operate as outlined in the
credit application, the City will send a letter informing the customer of the required action to
avoid revocation of the credit. If the property owner fails to take the required action, the credits
will be revoked. The credit may be restored when the detention basin functions properly.
Private NPDES Credit
Certain private industrial operations are required to obtain an NPDES pennit from the Iowa
Department of Natural Resources. The permit requires the industrial operation to implement
measures to manage stormwater runoff to minimize the pollutants associated with the
stormwater runoff that leaves the property.
Credit Application Process
The City of Dubuque Engineering Division will accept applications from customers for credits.
Applications are available in the Office of the Engineering Division at City Hall. In most cases,
engineering calculations are required to support credits. A registered professional engineer may
be required to prepare some of the supporting application documents.
To apply for a credit, the customer must submit a completed STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
UTILITY FORM NO.6: APPLICATION FOR USER FEE CREDIT, along with the required
documentation and applicati on review fee, to the address below:
City of Dubuque, Engineering Division
Attention: Deron Muehring
50 W. 13th Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
Phone: (563) 589-4270
The Public Works Director will review the credit application. Upon approval of a stormwater
credit, the credit will be given at the next billing. A credit may be retroactive to the beginning of
the City's current Fiscal Year if it can be shown to the satisfaction of the Public Works Director
that the justification for the credit was in place at that time.
Annual Credit Re-Application Process
To ensure that a credit remains justified, a credit application will only remain valid for one year.
Customers must re-apply for the credit using UTILITY FORM NO. 6-R: RE-APPLICA TION FOR
USER FEE CREDIT. At this time, there is no credit re-application fee.
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