CC Min 1995-07-24 - Laserfiche WebLink

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with staff eleven (11) times over the last year, and described the twenty-four (24) public sessions held to explain the federally mandated program and answer the community's questions. Director Ingram described the information about NPDES sent to 20,000 property owners in Redwood City which estimated the potential fee for service to fund this program, and the use of the hotline to answer questions. Director Ingram explained the legislation currently under discussion at the federal level that, if passed in its current iteration, would only change administration of the NPDES program from the federal to the state level, and advised that this program was not going away and monies to fund it would not be forthcoming from the federal nor the state government. Director Ingram referred to the Engineer's Report which demonstrated the direct connection between the stormwater drainage system services and the proposed fee, and advised that this fee for service was a responsible and cost effective way to fund this program. Director Ingram stated that the goal of the NPDES program was to provide clean water for ourselves and posterity by using education and, if necessary, enforcement. Director Ingram explained that stormwater run-off was the number one polluter of clean water and the bay, but acknowledged that there are not enough qualitative measurements taken to know how effective the programs have been exactly. Director Ingram described the process for taking baseline measurements of water quality, the role of the Regional Water Quality Control Board, and the ability to compare data over the next few years. Director Ingram emphasized the countywide approach to this problem emphasizing that pollution emanates from many sources and travels over wide areas and the public is generally unaware of how the water becomes polluted. As one example Director Ingram advised that pollution may not flow into the storm drain system in front of a certain resident's house, but the car driven by that resident emits particles of copper when the brakes are used, and those particles eventually find their way into a storm drain and into the bay. Director Ingram advised that the City had 150 miles of creeks, channels and culverts (which collect a great deal of debris), 200 open acres oflagoons and wet lands, 300 miles of water distribution materials, 240 miles of sewers, 14 pump stations, and 34 flap gates. Director Ingram described the CCAG plan and the County's program (STOPPP), included in the staff report, Redwood City's participation and promotion of those plans, and the alternatives the Council Utilities Committee and staff discussed regarding funding. Director Ingram described the municipal maintenance program and the damage done by deferred maintenance to the storm drain system, and stated that if NPDES regulations did not exist the City would still strive to maintain and improve the system and educate the public. Director Ingram explained why a separate utilities fund establishing the Stormwater Drain System Fund would provide accountability, integrity and effectiveness of effort, and described the "Resources Allocated to Maintenance of Stormwater Drain System MINUTE BOOK NO.53 Regular Meeting Minutes Page No. 280 July 24, 1995 Page 8