COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Department of Public Works

 

DATE:

June 1, 2009

BOARD MEETING DATE:

June 9, 2009

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None Required

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

 

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

James C. Porter, Director of Public Works

SUBJECT:

Executive Summary - Midcoast Stormwater Drainage Committee Final Report and Recommendations

 

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a resolution authorizing the Director of Public Works to:

 

1.

Develop a conceptual design report including environmental review to improve drainage on 2nd Street, Kanoff Street, and East Avenue in Montara.

 

2.

Develop a capital improvement project for drainage improvements on 2nd Street, Kanoff Street, and East Avenue in Montara based on the recommendations provided in the conceptual design report, subject to available funding.

 

3.

Conduct public meetings by June 30, 2010 to gauge the MidCoast community’s interest in developing a MidCoast Stormwater Master Plan and implementing stormwater capital projects and enhanced maintenance levels of service subject to approval of local funding sources.

 

4.

Seek Legislative Committee support for legislation that provides funding for stormwater system improvements and provides an exemption from Proposition 218 requirements for generating local revenue for stormwater system improvements.

 

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Responsive, effective, and collaborative government

Goal 20: Government decisions are based on careful consideration of future impact, rather than temporary relief or immediate gain.

 

The recommendations contribute to the commitment and goal by implementing the recommendations of an advisory committee to your Board to address the highest priority drainage problems on the MidCoast.

 

BACKGROUND:

Your Board formed the Midcoast Stormwater Drainage Committee (MSDC) in October 2006 as part of the Midcoast Local Coastal Program Update. MSDC has developed a list of 11 policy issues and four funding issues that were further evaluated and form the basis for the recommendations presented. The Environmental Quality Committee positively endorsed the MSDC’s recommendation at their May 14, 2009 meeting, and recommended that this report be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors for consideration.

 

DISCUSSION:

During the course of the meetings, County policies, practices, and base level of service for stormwater system maintenance and management were outlined along with County development requirements and State and Federal requirements that relate to stormwater management, and available funding sources for stormwater maintenance and capital improvements.

 

The policy issues discussed by MSDC include:

 

1.

Preparation of a MidCoast Stormwater Master Plan,

 

2.

Provide Additional Green Building Points for Enhanced On-site Stormwater Capture,

 

3.

Explore the County accepting maintenance responsibility for stormwater facilities on “Paper Streets,”

 

4.

Formal requirements for maintenance of on-site retention systems,

 

5.

Low impact development techniques and best management practices outlined by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency,

 

6.

Multi-year maintenance permits for County maintenance activities,

 

7.

Prioritization of roadway improvements and stormwater improvements,

 

8.

Maintenance responsibility for driveway culverts

 

9.

Community outreach on stormwater improvement and maintenance funding,

 

10.

Completing “short term” stormwater improvements first using Road Improvement Fund sources generated on the MidCoast, and

 

11.

Encouraging replacement of trees with appropriate species that help to mitigate stormwater runoff.

 

Funding issues discussed include:

 

1.

Use of Road Improvement Fund fees for stormwater management purposes

 

2.

Seeking approval of State legislation to provide dedicated funding sources for stormwater system management,

 

3.

Supporting exempting stormwater system management funding from the requirements of Proposition 218, and

 

4.

Recommending that the County pursue all available means to fund stormwater improvements,

 

FISCAL IMPACT:

Road Improvement Funds generated from the MidCoast would fund the 2nd Street, Kanoff Street, and East Avenue conceptual design report, including environmental review. It is estimated that the study and environmental review could cost between $60,000 and $100,000. There is no fiscal impact to the General Fund.