CITY COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM

vertical_CityOfLawrence-7

 

Department:

Municipal Services & Operations

Commission Meeting Date:  April 9, 2019

Staff Contact:

Matt Bond, Engineering Program Manager - Stormwater

Recommendations/Options/Action Requested:

 

Authorize the City Manager to execute a consulting agreement with Raftelis Financial Consultants in the amount of $47,700 for the Stormwater Rate Study.

 

Executive Summary:

City staff identified the need for a detailed examination of the current stormwater rate system, evaluation of its effectiveness and adequacy for funding the maintenance and operation of existing infrastructure, financing recommended capital improvement projects, the current fee and bond issuance durations. The goal of the study is to conduct a detailed stormwater rate study providing justifiable and equitable methodologies for user fees adequate to fund the expenses associated with the Stormwater Divisions operations and the renewal and replacement of capital.

 

The Project, as proposed by Raftelis, includes the review of historical information related to cost, fees, capital spending and revenues generated. A financial plan, stormwater rate determination and the development of a rate model will be the key tasks associated with the study.

 

Burns & McDonald the consultant that developed the 1996 Stormwater Master Plan recommended that the stormwater fee start at $4.00/ERU.  At the time of adoption, the City Commission voted to start the fee at $2.00/ERU. ERU is defined as equivalent residential unit.  The following table provides a historical timeline for fee adjustments to the stormwater fee.

 

YEAR

$/ERU

2000

$3.00

2003

$4.00

2016

$4.12

2017

$4.24

2018

$4.37

 

The contract falls within the threshold for City Manager approval, but the action will result in development of a stormwater utility rate model that will guide future rate decisions. This changes how the city calculates stormwater utility rates and determines the allocation or distribution of those rates. This change represents a policy decision that falls within the purview of the Commission.    

 

Strategic Plan

Critical Success

Factor

Innovative Infrastructure and Asset Management

Core Services

Sound Fiscal Stewardship

Fiscal Impact

(Amount/Source):

The fiscal impact to the City is $47,700. This item is included in the 2019 Stormwater Operations budget, account # 505-3-3910-2147.

Attachments:

Engineering Services Agreement & Scope of Services

 

 

 

Reviewed By:

(for CMO use only)

☐TM

☐DS

☐CT

☒BM