REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on Resolution Approving a Green Stormwater Infrastructure Plan in Accordance with Provision C.3.J of the Municipal Regional Stormwater Permit
Report
BACKGROUND
The City of Santa Clara is one of 76 municipalities (collectively referred to as Permittees) subject to the requirements of the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board (Water Board)’s Municipal Regional Stormwater Permit (MRP).
The MRP requires Permittees to develop and implement a long-term Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) Plan to implement Low Impact Development (LID) measures in storm drain infrastructure on public and private lands, including streets, roads, storm drains, parking lots, building roofs and other elements. LID refers to the construction and retrofitting of storm drainage infrastructure to reduce runoff volumes, disperse runoff to vegetated areas, harvest and use runoff where feasible, promote infiltration and evapotranspiration, and bioretention to detain and treat runoff before it reaches our creeks and bay. GSI solutions include, but are not limited to, pervious pavement, infiltration basins, bioretention facilities or “raingardens,” green roofs, and rainwater harvesting systems. GSI can be incorporated into construction on both new and previously developed parcels, as well as into new and rebuilt streets and other infrastructure within the public right-of-way (ROW).
The City initially prepared a GSI Plan Framework document as required by Provision C.3.j of the MRP to describe the goals, approach, tasks and schedule needed to complete a GSI Plan. Council approved the GSI Plan Framework with the adoption of a Resolution on June 6, 2016. Provision C.3.j of the MRP also requires the Permittee to submit a GSI Plan with the FY 2018-19 Annual Report that is due on September 30, 2019.
DISCUSSION
City staff, with assistance from consultant EOA, Inc., have created a GSI Plan for Council approval (Attachment 2) by Resolution. To create the GSI Plan, staff and EOA reviewed existing planning documents to determine the extent to which GSI-related language, concepts and policies were incorporated. Staff developed a prioritized workplan for integrating the GSI with other City plans (i.e. General and Specific Plans, Bicycle/Pedestrian Plans, and Storm Drain Master Plan) to achieve multiple potential benefits to the community, including improved water and air quality, reduced local flooding, increased water supply, traffic calming, safer pedestrian and bicycle facilities, climate resilience and a more pleasant urban environment.
To meet a requirement of the MRP, the GSI Plan includes a mechanism to identify and prioritize projects that can be incorporated into the City’s long-term planning and capital improvement processes. Green streets, LID retrofits and regional projects are types of GSI capital projects that the City can implement to meet the water quality goals of the MRP and multi-benefit objectives defined in the GSI Plan. GSI capital projects are primarily under the City’s control and typically are not regulated, except for being subject to the sizing and design requirements contained in Provision C.3 of the MRP. Several factors, such as change in scope of work, funding, site conditions, etc., determine the ability of the City to implement GSI capital projects.
The GSI Plan will guide the identification, implementation, tracking and reporting of green stormwater infrastructure projects within the City. Although there is no requirement to include public GSI projects under the current MRP, there could be an implementation requirement under the future permit, which is currently being negotiated by Permittees and the Water Board.
The City of Santa Clara GSI identification and prioritization process began by identifying and screening public parcels and public ROWs that could support GSI. After identifying potential GSI locations, screened streets and parcels were prioritized to determine the project opportunities that would be the most effective and provide the greatest number of benefits. Green infrastructure opportunities will continue to be considered as these projects are reviewed for planning and design.
A required component of the GSI Plan is to develop a process for tracking and mapping completed private and public GSI projects and making the information available to the public. The City will continue to implement existing internal procedures to track public and private projects with GSI and manage inspections of stormwater treatment facilities. The City is developing an inventory of its storm drain assets in a Geographic Information Systems mapping platform and plans to activate the storm drain maintenance module in the Lucity asset management program by early 2020.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The development of the City’s Green Stormwater Infrastructure Plan meets the Statutory Exemptions (under Section15308) because it consists of actions taken by regulatory agencies to assure the enhancement or protection of the environment. Requiring the inclusion of low-impact development measures in public streets and parking lots, where and when feasible, would help reduce the adverse water quality impacts of urbanization and urban runoff over the long term. A Notice of Exemption will be filed with the County Recorder’s Office.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with the development of the Green Stormwater Infrastructure Plan other than staff time. Implementation of GSI projects is contingent upon the City identifying funding sources for GSI planning, design, construction and maintenance. It is likely that no single source of revenue will be adequate to fund GSI implementation, and a portfolio of funding sources will be needed. Viable funding options will be further evaluated by staff from the Department of Public Works, Parks & Recreation Department, Community Development Department and the Finance Department. Table 6-2 in the report (Attachment 2) provides a summary of possible funding sources.
COORDINATION
The development of the Green Stormwater Infrastructure Plan involved coordination with the Department of Public Works, Community Development Department, Parks & Recreation Department, and the City Attorney’s Office.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Adopt a Resolution Approving a Green Stormwater Infrastructure Plan in accordance with Provision C.3.j of the Municipal Regional Stormwater Permit.
Staff
Reviewed by: Craig Mobeck, Director of Public Works
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution
2. City of Santa Clara Green Stormwater Infrastructure Plan
3. Appendices