City Council

Agenda Request

Agenda Of:

January 15, 2008

Agenda Request No:

III C

Initiated By:

Adam Smith, Environmental Manager

Responsible Department:

Public Works

Presented By:

Adam Smith, Environmental Manager

Department Head:

Mike Hobbs, Director of Public Works

 

 

Additional Department. Head (s):

N/A

Subject / Proceeding:

Authorize Resolution NO. 08-02 adopting the City’s Stormwater Management Program

Exhibits:

Resolution NO. 08-02

Clearances

Approval

Legal:

Joe Morris, City Attorney

Executive Director:

n/a

Purchasing:

N/A

Asst. City Manager:

karen glynn, p.e.

Budget:

N/A

City Manager:

Allen Bogard/for AB

Budget

Expenditure Required:  $

n/A

Amount Budgeted/Reallocation:  $

N/A

Additional Appropriation:  $

N/A

Recommended Action

The Public Works Department requests that City Council approve Resolution NO. 08-02 adopting the City of Sugar Land Stormwater Management Program (SWMP) and support staff’s submittal of the SWMP to the TCEQ. 

Executive Summary

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) adopted the Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) general permit at the August 8, 2007 Commissioners Meeting. This long-anticipated mandate requires the City, as an operator of a small municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4), to become permitted to discharge stormwater to surface waters of the state. In order to obtain a permit, the City must prepare and submit a 5-year Stormwater Management Program (SWMP) to the TCEQ no later than February 11, 2008. The SWMP must be developed to reduce the discharge of pollutants from the MS4 to the maximum extent practicable and to protect water quality. Protecting water quality in Sugar Land follows closely with the City’s Groundwater Reduction Plan in which the City will be utilizing surface water from Oyster Creek for both potable and non-potable uses.

 

In anticipation of the proposed permit, staff prepared a SWMP that was adopted by City Council as a “Pre-Final Plan” at the September 7, 2004 City Council meeting. However, the TCEQ did not issue the permit in 2004 as expected and instead spent an additional 3-years modifying permit requirements. Much has changed in the last three years, and thus, the “Pre-Final Plan” has been revised to reflect these changes. 

 

On December 18, 2007, staff presented City Council with an overview detailing the TCEQ permit requirements and the proposed SWMP developed to meet those requirements. In addition, staff highlighted the key projects and programs associated with the SWMP and the additional funding required to fully implement the program over the five-year timeframe. During the presentation, Council suggested that measures be developed and implemented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the SWMP. Staff will work to develop a series of measures to quantify the effectiveness of the SWMP in regards to water quality, public involvement, and educational outreach throughout the 5-year implementation of the SWMP.

 

Following the December 18, 2007 meeting, the SWMP was released for public comment. Staff issued a press release and placed the SWMP on the City’s webpage for the public to view and comment. During this period, staff received no comments in regards to the proposed SWMP.

 

Per City Council’s direction, attached is a resolution adopting the proposed SWMP. The Public Works Department requests that City Council approve Resolution NO. 08-02 adopting the City of Sugar Land Stormwater Management Program (SWMP) and support staff’s submittal of the SWMP to the TCEQ. 

 

Exhibits

 

RESOLUTION NO. 08-02

 

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SUGAR LAND, TEXAS  ADOPTING THE CITY OF SUGAR LAND STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM FOR SUBMISSION TO THE TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY.    

 

            WHEREAS, as a small MS4 Operator, the City must develop and submit to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) a stormwater management program by February 11, 2008; and

 

WHEREAS, on December 18, 2007 the City Council held a workshop at which members of the public were allowed to provide comments on the proposed stormwater management program; and

 

WHEREAS, on December 19, 2007 the City issued a press release and posted a notice on its official web site establishing a public comment period from December 19, 2007 to January 9, 2008; and

WHEREAS, the stormwater management program has been made available to the public on the City’s web site and at the Public Works facility for the comment period;  NOW, THEREFORE,

 

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL

OF THE CITY OF SUGAR LAND, TEXAS:

 

            Section 1.  That the City Council adopts the Stormwater Management Program attached as Exhibit A and incorporated into this resolution by reference.

           

            Section 2.  That the City Council directs staff to file the Stormwater Management Program with the TCEQ by February 11, 2008.

 

            APPROVED on   ______________________________, 2008.

 

           

                                                                                    _________________________

                                                                                    David G. Wallace, Mayor

 

ATTEST:                                                                     Reviewed for Legal Compliance:

                                                                                   

_____________________________

Glenda Gundermann, City Secretary

 

Attachment:  Exhibit A – City of Sugar Land Stormwater Management Program Dated September 2007