West Chester Borough Stream Protection Fee (SPF) Overview Chester County Engineers Fall Conference November 2016 Outline Stormwater Runoff Why is it a problem in West Chester? How are we going to address it? What is the current status of the SPF Program? 2 Presented by CH2M 1
Stormwater Runoff Why is it a problem? Pollutants from the Borough affect our local streams Goose Creek Taylor Run Blackhorse Run Plum Creek Excessive amounts of runoff impact our health, safety, and welfare Flooding Stream bank erosion Oils & other pollutants accumulate and wash into streams Flooding on S. Matlack Street Strains our historic infrastructure Pipes, inlets, and other stormwater infrastructure require inspections, cleaning, and rehabilitation and replacement Old pipes require cleaning & rehabilitation 3 Impervious surfaces generate excess runoff that washes pollution into nearby storm inlets which usually outfall directly to our streams Flooding along S. Matlack Street Our inlets and culverts require frequent cleaning to remain effective Oils and other pollutants accumulate and wash off our impervious surfaces4 Presented by CH2M 2
All of our local streams are Impaired (red on the map) Clean Water Act mandate: comply with a stormwater ( MS4 ) permit issued by the PA Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP) that requires us to reduce pollution West Chester sits at the top of 4 in all of the watersheds so the streams can watersheds and our runoff impacts become fishable and swimmable everything downstream Severely eroded stream banks on Goose Creek and Plum Run 5 Regulatory: Municipal Separate Stormwater System (MS4) Requirements Required to prepare application for updated PAG 13 Stormwater MS4 Permit requires TMDL Plan (for Goose Creek) and Pollutant Reduction Plan (for all other streams) with a TBD due date TMDL Implementation Plan (rev) submitted in 2015 6 Presented by CH2M 3
Infrastructure Needs: West Chester s stormwater infrastructure, built in the early 1900 s, and our streams, need repair and maintenance Base 5 year CIP Items Cost of providing municipal services is increasing faster than revenue in General Fund Equipment Estimated Cost Replace 1997 Sewer Jet, 44 30 (30% for SW) $36,000 Replace Street Sweeper 44 40 $210,000 Pipes Replace Pine Alley Brick Sewer $195,000 Replace N. High St. (Virginia Ashbridge) $150,000 Replace West Union St. (Darlington New) $250,000 Reline New St. (Union Holly Alley) $75,000 Replace Wollerton Alley (New Darlington) $90,000 Reline W. Washington (Hannum New) $160,000 Replace Hoopes Alley (Everhard Outfall) $115,000 Reline N. High St. (Chestnut to Washington) $218,750 Stream Improvements E. Barnard St. Culvert Replacement $250,000 Franklin at Linden Culvert Replacement $290,000 Plum Run (College Bradford) $687,500 Goose Creek (Franklin Nields) $375,000 TOTAL (nearest $1,000) $3,102,000 7 How can we address the problems and regulatory requirements related to stormwater? Develop a rigorous stormwater program Repair and rehabilitation projects Regulatory compliance activities Community improvements Urban Forestry Integrated infrastructure (e.g., drainage improvements integrated with road work) Green infrastructure (e.g., rain gardens, stormwater tree trenches, vegetated roofs) Stream restoration Flood reduction projects This requires a dedicated, long term funding mechanism Bioswale in curb extension also provides traffic calming and ADA improvements Green Alley with permeable pavers 8 Presented by CH2M 4
Stormwater Runoff How should the Borough address it? Stormwater Assessment Advisory Committee (SWAAC) was formed in 2013 to recommend to Borough Council how to address the problem & fund it Included representatives from: Residential Business Institutions (Chester County Hospital) Non Profits (Church) West Chester University Chester County Borough Council and Staff The SWAAC : Met 7 times between July 2013 and October 2015 on funding options and policy issues The SWAAC made recommendations on 6 policy areas: What program components should be funded? What level of service should be provided for each component? How should the program be funded? Should there be exemptions for any types of properties/institutions? Should a credit program be established for properties? What billing method should be used? Should appeals be permitted? 10 Presented by CH2M 5
The SWAAC : studied the funding details Program Administration Inspection and Maintenance Stormwater BMPs Street Sweeping Inlet / Catch Basin cleaning Storm Drains MS 4 permit and TMDL compliance Master Plan / Stormwater Plan Capital Improvement Plan (engineering, design, construction) Public Education on Stormwater Management Data Management GIS System, Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) and recommended a revised medium level of service Level of Service Cost Estimate Summary Estimated Average Annual Costs (million) Low Medium (revised) Medium (original) High Total Operating and Capital $1.0 $1.3 $1.5 $2.0 Not expected to meet permit requirements User rates too high 11 The SWAAC : recommended a program to fund capital improvement plan (CIP) projects and operations & maintenance 12 Presented by CH2M 6
The SWAAC : was convened to evaluate fair, sustainable, and equitable ways to fund the Borough s stormwater program Options for funding program: 1. Increase property taxes 2. Raise sewer bills 3. Implement a stormwater fee based on runoff Residential Parcel Nonresidential Parcel Building Area Parking Other Impervious Area Stormwater runoff is approximated by impervious area (rooftop and paved surfaces) where rain runs off, rather than soaking into the ground 13 The SWAAC : recommends a stormwater fee based on impervious area as the most equitable approach Number of Properties Impervious Area Commercial 12.98% Government Railroad 1.65% 0.15% Institutional 1.90% Apartment 3.43% Industrial 0.35% Utility 0.05% Railroad 0.28% Government 13.09% Apartment 9.20% Industrial 3.24% Utility 0.12% Institutional 6.44% Increasing property taxes or sewer bills is not fair because they are not directly linked to how much stormwater a property generates Residential 40.23% Residential 79.49% Commercial 27.39% 14 Presented by CH2M 7
West Chester Borough is not alone in looking at a stormwater fee: municipalities across the country are increasingly relying on them Over 1,600 stormwater utilities exist across the country* In PA, 7 are collecting (up from 3 in 2013): Philadelphia, Lancaster, Meadville, Mount Lebanon, and Radnor are collecting revenues A lot of local interest from neighboring municipalities (West Goshen, Upper Uwchlan, Pottstown) West Chester invited to present at prominent 2015 Villanova Stormwater Conference 16 SWMAAC Recommendation Six tiers based on amount of impervious area. A property s tier determines the monthly charge. Tier 5 (>2,500 and <=3,000 sf) $18.43 >$20.10 Tier 6 (>3,000 sf) Tier 4 (>2,000 and <=2,500 sf) $15.08 $3.35 Tier 1 (>0 and <=1,000 sf) Tier 2 (>1,000 and <=1,500 sf) $8.38 Tier 3 (>1,500 and <=2,000 sf) $11.73 Tier Amount of Square Feet of Impervious Area Percent of Total Accounts Tier 1 >0 and <=1,000 sf 18% Tier 2 >1,000 and <=1,500 sf 17% Tier 3 >1,500 and <=2,000 sf 16% Tier 4 >2,000 and <=2,500 sf 14% Tier 5 >2,500 and <=3,000 sf 9% Tier 6 >3,000 sf 26% All properties are distributed into one of six tiers Each Tier is charged based on the recommended monthly fee of $6.70/1,000 ft2 of Impervious Area Median Monthly Fee: Residential: $11.73 Commercial: $25.87 17 Presented by CH2M 8
Comparison of Charges (across LOS scenarios): Tier 3 Detached Residential $25 Tier 3 Residential DETACHED SINGLE $20/mo TAX Monthly Charge for Stormwater $20 $15 $10 $9.26 $12/mo FEE $11.73 $18.50 $20.23 $5 $0 Low LOS Stormwater Charge* Medium LOS (revised) Stormwater Charge* High LOS Stormwater Charge* Dedicate Property Tax to fund Medium LOS** * Assumed Rate Structure Option 1 ** Assumes millage rate dedicated to stormwater of 2.05 per 1,000. Based on average assessed value for Tier 3 residential properties Tier 3 1,500 2,000 SF Landuse Residential (Detached) total Parcel Area, SF 7,270 Impervious Area, SF 1,733 18 Comparison of Typical Monthly Utility Charges to Proposed Stormwater Fee* *This actual 2013 example from a tier 4 residence in the Borough is meant for illustrative purposes only as utility charges will vary property to property Presented by CH2M 9
Comparison of Charges (across LOS scenarios): Tier 4 Attached Commercial $30 Tier 4 Attached Commercial $27/mo TAX $26.68 $25 $23.78 Monthly Charge for Stormwater $20 $15 $10 $11.90 $15/mo FEE $15.08 $5 $0 Low LOS Stormwater Charge* Medium LOS (revised) Stormwater Charge* High LOS Stormwater Charge* Dedicate Property Tax to fund Medium LOS** * Assumed Rate Structure Option 1 ** Assumes millage rate dedicated to stormwater of 2.05 per 1,000. Based on average assessed value for Tier 4 commercial properties Tier 4 2,000 2,500 SF Commercial Landuse (Attached) Total Parcel Area, ft 2 2,393 Impervious Area, ft 2 2,393 20 Comparison of Charges (across LOS scenarios): Tier 6 County Owned Building $600 Tier 6 Chester County Justice Center $546.56 Monthly Charge for Stormwater $500 $400 $300 $200 $100 $273.54 $346/mo FEE $346.45 $0/mo TAX (Tax Exempt) $0 Low LOS Stormwater Charge* Medium LOS (revised) Stormwater Charge* High LOS Stormwater Charge* $0.00 Dedicate Property Tax to fund Medium LOS** * Assumed Rate Structure Option 1 ** Assumes non taxable property Tier 6 > 3,000 SF Chester County Justice Landuse Center (Tax Exempt) total Parcel Area, SF 63,077 Impervious Area, SF 51,709 21 Presented by CH2M 10
SWMAAC Recommendation Develop an incentive program for all property owners to be able to reduce their fees Maximum credit is 60% of the fee no one can receive 100% credit Residential properties can receive a Rebate (one time cash back) and/or a Credit (recurring fee reduction) Nonresidential properties (which includes multi family res) can receive a Credit only (up to 60% max). Manual, Application and Forms online Existing projects that installed an approved stormwater Best Management Practice (BMP) can apply for a credit Permeable Pavers Green Roof 22 Types of BMPs that are eligible for a rebate or a credit Rain Garden Tree planting Rain Barrel Downspout Disconnect Permeable pavers Green Infrastructure Plus. Environmental outreach programs Water quality treatment BMPs (filters, etc.) Flood control BMPs..and more 23 Presented by CH2M 11
Other SWAAC Recommendations The SWAAC : The SWAAC : Recommends no Exemptions Recommends billing the fee as a line item on existing sewer bills The SWAAC : Recommends including an appeals system 24 Outline Stormwater Runoff Why is it a problem in West Chester? How are we going to address it? What is the current status of the SPF Program? 25 Presented by CH2M 12
Implementation Activities Administrative Open House and Stakeholder meetings held Spring 2016 Ordinance unanimously approved June, 2016 Credit Manual (residential and non residential) Appeals Application Prepare billing file, example bill, notice of assessment First bills to be mailed late November 2016 Annual billing, quarterly payment coupons 26 Implementation Activities Capital Projects/O&M Pipe replacement and relining projects; Purchase of needed equipment Developed concepts for parks Fugett Park; Borough Hall and adjacent streets John O Greene Veteran s Park Received $220,000 County Grant funding for 3 green streets to serve as demonstration sites Pine Alley (along with a planned pipe relining project) Everhart and Nields (in conjunction with repaving project) Hoopes Alley (significant streambank erosion issue) 27 Presented by CH2M 13
Green Infrastructure Demonstration Park at Borough Hall 28 Fugett Park/Borough Hall: Existing Conditions 29 Presented by CH2M 14
Fugett Park/Borough Hall: Proposed Rain Garden 30 Green Park John O Green Memorial 31 Presented by CH2M 15
John O. Green Memorial Park: Existing Play Area 32 John O. Green Memorial Park: Proposed Rain Garden 33 Presented by CH2M 16
Green Park at Veteran s Park / Pine Alley 34 Veterans Park/Pine Alley: Existing Play Area 35 Presented by CH2M 17
Veterans Park/Pine Alley: Proposed Features 36 37 Presented by CH2M 18
38 39 Presented by CH2M 19
OB Laing: olaing@west chester.com Courtney Finneran: courtney.finneran@ch2m.com Questions or Comments 40 Presented by CH2M 20