HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 02-13-2001 SpecialAdopted Minutes
Special Council Meeting
February 13, 2001
A Special Meeting of the Plymouth City Council was called to order by Deputy Mayor Slavik at
6:00 p.m. in the Police Department Training Room, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard, on February 13,
2001.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Deputy Mayor Slavik, Councilmembers Johnson, Hewitt, Stein, Black,
and Harstad.
ABSENT: Mayor Tierney.
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Johnson, Assistant City Manager Ahrens, Finance Manager
Jacobson, Financial Analyst Kohn, Community Development Director Hurlburt, Public Works
Director Moore, and City Clerk Paulson.
Surface Water Utilitv Fee Rate Structure
Financial Analyst Kohn reported at the June 6, 2000 Special City Council meeting, the Council
directed staff to prepare a surface water management fee proposal. He noted that the 2001
budget includes implementation of a surface water management fee beginning in July 2001. He
stated staff would be discussing this report with the Council and requests their comments
regarding the proposed structure.
He stated implementation of a surface water management fee requires the establishment of a
utility as authorized by State Statute 444.075. By establishing a surface water utility, the City
would gain a stable, dedicated, flexible, and fair source of revenue to support ongoing surface
water management programs. In addition, implementation of a fee directly related to surface
water management costs and runoff may provide an incentive to property owners to reduce the
amount of surface water runoff leaving their properties.
He discussed with the Council the proposed properties to be included in the new fee that include
single-family properties, multi -family properties, commercial/industrial properties, churches,
schools, public lands with occupied structures, institutions, and golf courses. Properties being
recommended to be excluded from the fee include public lands without occupied structures,
railroads, utility properties, public rights-of-way, and vacant properties. Under the current
proposal, 56.18% of land would be covered by the surface water utility fee.
Councilmember Johnson asked if a cost is built in to treat the runoff from exempt areas.
Financial Analyst Kohn replied the City is currently targeting raising a certain amount of
revenue, and those areas could be reconsidered if that goal isn't achieved. He noted that the
Adopted City Council Minutes
Special Meeting of February 13, 2001
Page 2 of 2
regional park and golf courses would only be billed for their impervious surface at the 100%
rate.
Financial Manager Jacobson mentioned that credits would be proposed for those commercial
properties that participate in "Best Practices" by being innovative in methods to reduce the
runoff from their properties. He noted the survey from other metro communities contained in the
packet materials on their surface water utility fee structures.
Councilmember Stein questioned whether the RSF-I and RSF-2 areas should be split up.
Community Development Director Hurlburt replied there weren't significant differences in
impervious area between the two property classifications. Staff calculated the impervious area
based on an average sized house.
Financial Analyst Kohn explained how the residential equivalent factor (REF) was determined.
He also discussed with the Council that the target amount of revenue the City is seeking from
this fee is approximately $1,100,000 to $1,500,000. Therefore, the approximate fee for a single-
family property would be in the $2.50 to $3.25 range. Finance Manager Jacobson added the fee
would be reviewed every two years to see if it should be increased.
A discussion was held on how to bill the school districts or perhaps exclude them entirely. No
consensus was reached on this discussion.
Councilmember Harstad suggested the fee be modeled for several years as he could foresee
surpluses. City Manager Johnson stated there wouldn't be any surplus for quite some time.
Councilmember Stein asked if the City could charge the surface water utility fee as part of the
Building Permit process. Community Development Director Hurlburt replied due to many
different circumstances, she recommended that this method not be utilized.
The Council discussed the monthly fee, and a majority of the Council recommended a $3.25 fee
per month. Councilmember Stein stated he would be very interested in knowing the amount of
revenue that would be needed long-term, as he wouldn't want to increase the fee every two
years. In addition, fixture projects could be undertaken earlier if there is an adequate supply of
revenue.
There being no further discussion, Deputy Mayor Slavik adjourned the
meeting
6:50 p.m.
tSandra R. Paulson, City Clerk