Stormwater Committee

Stormwater Committee Meeting April 24, 2023 Human Resources Training Room 1. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM. 2. Roll Call: Roll was called by Barbara Brumbaugh. Committee Members in Attendance: Roger Baxter (Committee Chair) Michael Poyner Mario Aponte Vic Nicholls Michael Battle Crystal Bloom (Engineering Manager) Cory Wolfe (Assistance City Attorney) Barbara Brumbaugh (PW Environmental Program Manager) Absent Committee Members Markiella Moore (Committee Vice Chair) Traycie West-Pinkoski Kevin Walker Others in Attendance: Ross Brockwell – (PW Operations Administrator) Jannelle Logan – (PW Stormwater Engineer IV) Citizens in Attendance: None – Vic noted that she extends an invitation to residents when she hears stormwater complaints, but that they don’t attend. Crystal mentioned that she and Public Communications made an educational video. Roger asked for an overview. It covers: o What the Stormwater fee pays for (CIP, MS4, Operations) o The difference between a water/sewer utility fee and the stormwater fee o Why the fee is needed and how it was established Roger asked if the video discusses the difference between rain event flooding and tidal flooding. This video does not. Barbara will send a link to the video out to the Committee. 3. Meeting Minutes Minutes from the February and March 2023 meetings were approved. -1- 4. PW Operations Report – Ross Brockwell o A new category was added for BMPs, at this time the WO shown is zero o Roger asked about reporting o Mike P. asked if street sweeping is continuous. Ross explained that it is, and only for curb and gutter streets. Sweeper routes are mapped in 20 mile segments which is what a sweeper can typically cover. o Mike P. asked if each sweeper has a dump truck. Ross explained not always, that some go directly to the landfill. It’s not the same for all routes. Also, some areas may need to be swept later if there is an obstruction. o The percentage of WOs on time has improved and there have been some changes made to the paperwork process. o Several before and after photos were shown of various projects: o A ditch clearing project at 2821 Old Galberry o A ditch clearing at 502 Caleb o A culvert clearing at 1037 Waters Rd o Mike P. asked how they did the Waters Rd project. Ross stated that it was done by hand with inmates using shovels. o Mike B. asked if the City sends someone out ahead of street sweeping to let people know to move vehicles. Ross said routes and dates are posted on the web page. There are potentially too many changes to contact residents in advance. Mike B. said that no one has given him notice about his truck. Ross said if it’s a persistent problem they may reach out to owners. 5. Budget Overview – Crystal Bloom o The Public Works budget was reviewed by the Budget Office and the Council Budget Review included everything that was initially submitted. o The budget will fund 14 new projects and additional funding was added for existing projects. o Projects are being phased in order to get them all done. o There are two “pots” of funds – Operating and Capital. o There was a new project added for Rural Roads Crossing Upgrades which is a 5 year project focused on the Farming Community. It will upgrade deficient or undersized road crossings. o Mike P. asked if a project is pushed back/delayed, does it then go to the “top of the list”. Crystal said that once a project is funded, it stays funded. o Mike P. asked if subsequent years will get an extra $4 million. Crystal stated that typically the Operating Budget leaves about $5 million for capital projects. This is reflected in the budget. o Roger asked about Chesapeake Avenue. This is a joint project with Public Utilities which will include water, sewer, and new stormwater infrastructure. o Roger asked about the railroad. The project doesn’t cross the railroad. o Mike B. asked about the large COVAC project in Southern Chesapeake and whether that was included in the Stormwater budget. It was not, it is an Economic Development project. Vic offered some additional information. -2-  o Roger asked about a project visited during the Committee site visit a few years ago. This was part of a snag and drag project. 6. MS4 Update – Barbara Brumbaugh o Barbara reported the Virginia DEQ approved the FY22 MS4 Annual Report after some requested revisions. She will send a link to the final report. o Barbara asked the Committee if they would be interested in a presentation from the Elizabeth River Project about their work for the City. The Committee is interested and Barbara will make arrangements to have them present at a future meeting. 7. Bylaws Update – Cory Wolfe o The revised bylaws could not be voted on because there was not 6 members present. 8. Old Business/New Business o Ross announced that he was selected for a Mars Simulation Mission with NASA in Houston, TX for the next 18 months and will be taking a temporary leave of absence. The Committee congratulated him on his assignment. The meeting was adjourned at 6:54 pm. Minutes approved by the Committee _____________________________ Date _____________________________ -3-