Agenda - Council - 05/27/2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

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-20- Councilmember Zimmerman felt that if there are remaining funds after drainage 'problems have been corrected then he thought the Storm Water Utility Fund could be used for this type of thing, but the primary use should be to correct drainage problems. Councilmember Kurak suggested that they possibly re-visit the formula on how the Storm Water Utility fired is being charged on the residential side. Principal City Engineer Olson explained that in his experience with storm water utility fees, the City of Ramsey's formula for charging the fees is one of the most accurate. If they were going to restructure the formula they would need to decide what storm event would be used. Currently the City uses a five year rain event so the factors are smaller than if they were to, use a lighter rainfall event such as a one or two year. They would also need to categorize the land uses and determine the land conditions, which is extremely difficult to manage. Councilmember Elvig stated that he likes Ramsey approach for charging the f~e because it is so accurate. Councilmember Kurak stated that the real impervious surface in the City of Ramsey is the roads themselves that everyone uses. She inquired if there was a way to handle the issue similar to the road maintenance program. Principal City Engineer Olson noted that staff was not proposing to increase the Storm Water Utility fee because the City is being required to implement the Stormwater Pollution Prevention plan. Councilmember Kurak questioned how it was going to be feasible to cover the costs for the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan without increasing the Stormwater Utility feeS. Councilmember Strommen noted that some of the funds being used for the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan are coming from other funding sources. Councilmember Kurak stated that it was her understanding that the first two years of initiating the Storm Water Utility funds, the fund would be operating in the negative. Principal City Engineer Olson replied that that was true, but explained that the City corrected three large problems when the fund was first initiated. Councilmember Kurak stated that she does not want the City to be caught without any money in the Storm Water Utility Fund if the City is faced with a drainage problem that needs to be corrected. Principal City Engineer Olson stated that he was confident that the City would not need to increase the Storm Water Utility fees because With all the new developments coming into the City it increases the amount of money that is collected for the fund. City Council Work Session/May 6, 2003 Page 2 of 11 I I I I I I I I I I I I ! I I I I I I