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7 REPORT: STORMWATER UTILITY UPDATE Ms. Riddervold presented to Council and said this project has been the result of work done by Public Works, Neighborhood Development Services, Parks and . She reviewed the history of the stormwater program and the stormwater utility fee. She overviewed the proposed program fees and mechanisms for implementation. Ms. Jean Haggerty, project manager with AMEC Environment and Infrastructure, presented to Council. She reviewed the decision making process for devising a fee structure and discussing what the fees would pay for, the public process, and the work of the advisory committee. The advisory committee decided to bond a lot of improvements to keep capital costs low. to provide regular oversight and examine how to take a more regional approach to stormwater over the long term. Ms. Riddervold reported on community engagement efforts. A 13-member advisory committee representing a cross-section of interests in the community was engaged to review and provide feedback on utility recommendations. A dedicated utility proposal webpage was re-activated at www.charlottesville.org/stormwater. FAQs are available as well as a link to a web-based GIS tool that provides parcel-specific information about impervious surfaces, the number of associated billing units, and a potential annual fee range. Two focus group meetings were held in late November, and two drop-in informational open house sessions were also held in November at CitySpace. Implementation of a utility fee requires adoption of a City ordinance. There will be two readings of the ordinance and opportunity for comment at a public hearing on the proposal. A public hearing is scheduled for January 22, 2013. Mr. Huja said this is a very important policy decision, and he prefers there be a Council work session before making a decision. Ms. Smith said she generally favors this plan. She asked Ms. Haggerty if the new EPA ruling on stormwater would affect the Chesapeake Bay TMDL. Ms. Haggerty said it would not. Ms. Smith asked if raising bonds would affect our ceiling. Ms. Haggerty said this has been discussed with the be no significant effect. Ms. Szakos asked if this would mean taxes on gas would decrease. Ms. Riddervold said it would simply mean that there would be no more gas dollars going towards stormwater. Ms. Smith asked if the properties that are exempted by law include the schools. Ms. Riddervold said the fee will be waived for City of Charlottesville properties, Albemarle County properties, and a few others. However, three of the nine school properties are owned by the School Board and are therefore subject to the utility fee.