TO: Committee of the Whole - Planning and Public Works
FROM: Mayor Angela Birney
DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR CONTACT(S):
|
Public Works |
Aaron Bert |
425-556-2876 |
DEPARTMENT STAFF:
|
Public Works |
Curtis Nickerson |
Senior Scientist |
|
Public Works |
Aaron Moldver |
Public Works Manager |
|
Public Works |
Chris Stenger |
Public Works Deputy Director |
TITLE:
title
Stormwater and Surface Water System Plan Progress Update
OVERVIEW STATEMENT:
recommendation
Redmond’s Stormwater Utility is creating a Stormwater and Surface Water System (SSWS) Plan. This progress update will 1) introduce the topics covered by the Plan, 2) summarize the feedback received during public engagement efforts, and 3) detail the remaining tasks that will lead towards the Plan’s completion.
Stormwater and surface water management is currently guided by several strategic and tactical initiatives, such as the Regional Stormwater Facility Program, the City’s Watershed Management Plan, Asset Management, and the state’s municipal stormwater permit. The SSWS Plan will link these various initiatives together into a single cohesive document, provide an overarching vision for the Stormwater Utility, and identify the short-term and long-term actions needed to achieve this vision.
The City contracted with Alterra Consulting to lead the development of the Plan. This development is guided by an interdisciplinary team that includes staff from Public Works, Planning, Transportation, Parks, Finance, Communications, and Environmental Sustainability. To date, this team has: 1) generated a vision statement and “working values” that will guide the Utility’s direction and culture, 2) completed the initial phases of stakeholder engagement, 3) reviewed existing relevant plans and data, and 4) is completing, a technical analysis which will result in a) a prioritized list of stormwater capital projects, b) a prioritized list of education and pollution preventions programs, and c) identification of topics that require further in-depth analysis.
Tasks needed to complete the Plan will include: 1) conducting a gap analysis to identify notable challenges and opportunity the Utility will need to address to fully implement the Plan and achieve the Utility’s vision, 2) conducting a financial analysis that details the cost of implementation and potential funding resources, and 3) drafting a document that clearly articulates an implementation strategy and details how implementation will be monitored and adaptively managed.
body
☒ Additional Background Information/Description of Proposal Attached
REQUESTED ACTION:
☐ Receive Information ☐ Provide Direction ☐ Approve
REQUEST RATIONALE:
• Relevant Plans/Policies:
2023/24 City of Redmond Adopted Budget, Redmond 2050, Community Strategic Plan, Utility Strategic Plan, Environmental Sustainability Action Plan, City-wide Watershed Management Plan, Regional Facilities Plan, Stormwater Management Program Plan
• Required:
N/A
• Council Request:
This progress update fulfills a request from Council to provide updates on the SSWS Plan development.
• Other Key Facts:
The SSWS Plan will serve as the Stormwater Utility’s “functional plan,” fulfilling a mandate in the Washington State Growth Management Act that requires the City to conduct planning to ensure its delivery of essential services match its population growth.
OUTCOMES:
A written briefing to Council that provides a summary of work completed thus far to complete the SSWS Plan, and the remaining tasks.
COMMUNITY/STAKEHOLDER OUTREACH AND INVOLVEMENT:
• Timeline (previous or planned):
Stormwater and Surface Water System Plan Let Connect Webpage <https://www.letsconnectredmond.com/stormwater-surface-water-system-plan> and Survey (Survey Closed End of September 2024)
Tabling at Derby Days (July 2024)
Tabling at Rocking on the River (August 2024)
Announcement in the City of Redmond Plans, Policies, Regulations, and Economic Development E-newsletter (2024)
Informational Interviews with External Stakeholders (Fall, 2024)
Informational interviews with select City staff (Fall, 2024)
Tabling at Redmond Downtown Light Rail Station Opening (May 2025)
• Outreach Methods and Results:
Outreach consisted of the following efforts:
1) A project website and online survey on the City’s Let’s Connect Redmond. The survey asked participants to rank their priorities for storm and surface water management.
2) Informational Tabling during the City events, which used activities to gather input and encourage people to take the online survey.
3) Ten interview sessions with 15 community members, including developers, OneRedmond, residents from Friendly Village Mobile Home Park, King County Staff, the Hope Center staff, and individuals with a history working on salmon conservation. The consultant led these using a discussion guide.
4) Nine interview sessions with 17 City staff members who work within the Stormwater Utility or whose job functions require interactions with the Stormwater Utility. The consultant led these using a discussion guide.
• Feedback Summary:
Tabling and the Let's Connect survey resulted in 287 contacts and 89 completed surveys. Top-ranked priorities included flood prevention, protecting water quality, and maintaining facilities. Several individuals expressed an interest in expanded environmental education opportunities.
The external stakeholder interviews provide diverse and, at times, conflicting perspectives on stormwater facilities, environmental protection, and development review. Members of the developer community expressed a desire for greater flexibility during construction and the importance of being involved in stormwater code updates. Others expressed a desire to see stormwater facilities as natural amenities in the City’s landscape and the need for Redmond’s continued participation in regional conservation efforts.
Information gathered during staff interview captured undocumented “institutional knowledge” and information regarding program delivery that will be used during the Plan’s gap analysis.
BUDGET IMPACT:
Total Cost:
The budget for the SSWS Plan is $500,000.
Approved in current biennial budget: ☒ Yes ☐ No ☐ N/A
Budget Offer Number:
0000266
Budget Priority:
Healthy and Sustainable
Other budget impacts or additional costs: ☒ Yes ☐ No ☐ N/A
If yes, explain:
This SSWS Plan will include a financial analysis that estimates the cost to implement actions identified within it and potential funding sources.
Funding source(s):
City Stormwater Utility Funds
Budget/Funding Constraints:
N/A
☐ Additional budget details attached
COUNCIL REVIEW:
Proposed Upcoming Contact(s)
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Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
N/A |
None proposed at this time |
N/A |
Time Constraints:
N/A
ANTICIPATED RESULT IF NOT APPROVED:
N/A
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: SSWS Plan - Progress Update Presentation