Public Works Committee

TUMWATER PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MINUTES OF VIRTUAL MEETING October 6, 2022 Page 1 CONVENE: 8:00 a.m. PRESENT: Chair Eileen Swarthout and Councilmembers Michael Althauser and Charlie Schneider. Staff: Water Resources & Sustainability Director Dan Smith and Administrative Assistant Cathy Nielsen. Others: Meridith Greer, Greer Environmental Consulting. CHANGES TO There were no changes to the agenda. AGENDA: STORMWATER Director Smith reported Stormwater Management Action Plans (SMAPs) are MANAGEMENT plans for stormwater, water quality, and habitat projects. The proposed project ACTION PLANNING aligns with the City’s NPDES permit requirements. The project will be SERVICE PROVIDER managed by Meridith Greer with Greer Environmental Consulting. AGREEMENT: Ms. Greer reported SMAP is a watershed-focused process for stormwater management. Stormwater management action planning enables a review of each specific watershed and basin to assist the City in its planning process to improve stormwater and management of habitat. The proposed agreement is a requirement by the Department of Ecology and the NPDES permit for completion of one SMAP by March 31, 2023 to maintain compliance with permit requirements. The SMAP process is multifaceted to complete receiving water assessments, receiving water prioritizations, and completion of SMAPs. The first element is the receiving water element is a desktop mapping exercise to document all water bodies within the City with water flows. The examination considers elevation and topography to create a map. A map was created by the City’s GIS team in consultation with Herrera Environmental Consultants. The map includes 10 watersheds with water flows throughout the City. Some of the watersheds include Black Lake, Capitol Boulevard, Chambers Creek, Lower Deschutes River, Moxlie Creek, Percival Creek, and Salmon Creek. The next step of the assessment is prioritization of the watersheds to identify areas that have the largest impact should the City pursue a project to improve for stormwater management and habitat. As staff began ranking water bodies, staff and the consultants identified project areas in the City. Some criteria included the size of the subbasin (400 to 600 acres) and receiving waters in terms of the ability to influence a source of receiving water. That process identified nine subbasins qualifying under the criteria to include within the SMAP process. The final element under the proposed service provider agreement is creation of the SMAP through consultation with Herrera Environmental Consultants. The TUMWATER PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MINUTES OF VIRTUAL MEETING October 6, 2022 Page 2 company has successfully completed seven SMAPs for other jurisdictions. Staff is confident the company can provide the necessary support to staff to complete the SMAP. Department of Ecology’s high standards for completion of a SMAP include six elements:  Stormwater Retrofit – Identification of areas where the City could retrofit current stormwater facilities or install new stormwater retrofits to improve water quality.  Land Management and Development Strategies – Review of zoning and long-range planning for consideration of updates to facilitate improvements, improve service, and provide more habitat.  Customized Stormwater Management Act – Current programs include street sweeping, public education and outreach, and the Illicit Discharge Elimination Program to prevent and reduce spills. A Customized Stormwater Management Act ensures a thorough understanding of the subbasin to tailor programs to specific subbasins to improve water quality.  Long-Range Planning – Determine how zoning and forecasting growth affects subbasins over the next 20 years.  Development of a Budget and Schedule for the SMAP – Enable planning in the short-term between 0 and 6 years, as well as the long-term of 7 to 20 years to identify actions, timing, and funding mechanisms for projects.  Adaptive Management Plan – Necessary to reevaluate every five years for progress and potential changes to ensure success. The Department of Ecology requires completion of one SMAP. The City plans to create three SMAPs for the three highest priority basins to improve stormwater quality across the City and plan for budgeting projects. Ms. Greer reviewed the work program for the three priority subbasins over the next several years. The highest priority subbasin is the Trosper Lake Subbasin surrounded by residential and commercial uses. The focus will be on flood reduction, stormwater management, and audience outreach and education. The second priority subbasin is the West Mottman area with many industrial and commercial uses in the area. Focus will be on source control by providing technical assistance to help businesses improve water quality and receive resources from the City. Efforts will include enhancement and protection of habitat. The third subbasin is the Fish Pond Creek subbasin near Black Hills High School. The area is surrounded by rural uses. Staff plans to explore zoning and land use strategies in the area in conjunction with habitat protection and enhancement. TUMWATER PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MINUTES OF VIRTUAL MEETING October 6, 2022 Page 3 The City received a grant from the Department of Ecology to fund 75% of the work effective July 2022 to January 2025 of approximately $150,000. The Stormwater Utility is funding $50,000 for a total project cost of $200,000. The proposed service provider agreement is with Herrera Environmental Consulting at a cost of $180,000. Ms. Greer invited questions from members. Chair Swarthout asked about the requirements for completion of updated SMAPS and expiration dates. Ms. Greer advised that the current requirement is completion of one SMAP. The City anticipates that when its permit is renewed next year, the City will also be required to complete a second SMAP. The Department of Ecology is working on the requirements; however the City assumes the Department will eventually require completion of a SMAP for each subbasin. A SMAP covers a 20-year planning horizon with reviews every five years to take advantage of new technology and changing conditions. MOTION: Councilmember Schneider moved, seconded by Councilmember Althauser, to recommend the City Council approve and authorize the Mayor to sign the Stormwater Management Action Planning Service Provider Agreement with Herrera Environmental Consultants, Inc., for $179,811.00. A voice vote approved the motion unanimously. OTHER BUSINESS: Discussion ensued on an object placed on a platform within a tree near the Sapp Road pump station. Ms. Greer advised that she believes the object is a telescope. ADJOURNMENT: With there being no further business, Chair Swarthout adjourned the meeting at 8:18 a.m. Prepared by Valerie Gow, Recording Secretary/President Puget Sound Meeting Services, psmsoly@earthlink.net