Placement: Second Reading of Ordinances / Public Hearing
Action Requested: Motion / Vote
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Ordinance 23-11, Public Hearing, An Ordinance of the City of Port St. Lucie, Florida, Amending Ch. 56 Stormwater Management, Art. III, Requirements, Section 56.22 Roadway Swales of the Code of Ordinances; Providing for Conflict; Providing for Severability; Providing for Codification; Providing an Effective Date.
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Submitted By: Amy Eason, P.E., Executive Project Manager - Stormwater
Strategic Plan Link: The City's Goal of high-quality infrastructure and facilities.
Executive Summary (General Business): On November 21, 2021, Council motioned and approved the discontinuation of the swale liner program and authorized the Public Works Department to commence the transition from requiring a swale liner to the implementation of a conventional swale re-work program.
Presentation Information: Staff will be available to answer questions. A brief presentation will provide information on education and implementation program under the New Business portion of this agenda.
Staff Recommendation: Approve the first reading of the ordinance change and move to the second reading of the Ordinance change.
Alternate Recommendations:
1. Move to amend the recommendation and provide staff with direction.
2. Move to not approve the recommendation and provide staff with direction.
Background: At the February 24, 2021, and July 21, 2021 City Council Workshops, Council directed staff to prepare a presentation on the history of the swale liner practice and an evaluation on the use of swale liner. On November 21, 2022, staff presented a history of the swale liner program, a review of the City’s swale liner services along with the costs of each of those services, drainage requests, the need for swale liner, swale liner removal, and the benefits and disadvantages of swale liner. At the conclusion of the presentation, Council approved to discontinue the swale liner program and move forward with a swale re-work program. Amending the current ordinance is the first step in the implementation of the swale re-work program.
Issues/Analysis: Based on the presentation given to Council on November 21, 2022, the swale liner program does not provide a significant benefit to the City, it is expensive (approximately $3.5 million annually), and it prevents water quality treatment with smaller storm events.
Financial Information: The City currently spends approximately $3.5 million to purchase and supply the swale liner to contractors and residents, to repair and replace swale liner and to maintain swale liner, which is currently 10% of the Stormwater fund budget.
Special Consideration: The adoption of the amended Chapter 56 Stormwater Management, Article III, Requirements, Section 56.22 is needed to eliminate the requirement of the installation or reinstallation of swale liner for all new construction. The modification of the current ordinance will eliminate the need for the City to purchase and supply the swale liner to residents. City permits will no longer be stamped to require the installation of a swale liner.
Location of Project: Citywide
Attachments:
1.Roadway_Swale_Liner_Ordinance_Revision_Final
NOTE: All of the listed items in the “Attachment” section above are in the custody of the City Clerk. Any item(s) not provided in City Council packets are available upon request from the City Clerk.
Internal Reference Number: 9370
Legal Sufficiency Review:
Reviewed by Frank Moehrle, Deputy City Attorney. Approved as to Legal form and sufficiency by James D. Stokes, City Attorney.