TO: Committee of the Whole - Planning and Public Works
FROM: Mayor Angela Birney
DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR CONTACT(S):
|
Public Works |
Chris Stenger (Interim Director) |
425-403-5510 |
DEPARTMENT STAFF:
|
Public Works |
Aaron Moldver |
Environmental Services Manager |
TITLE:
title
Stormwater and Surface Water System Plan Progress Update
OVERVIEW STATEMENT:
recommendation
This memo provides a high-level progress update on the Stormwater and Surface Water System (SSWS) Plan, including status and timeline, and key findings from community engagement activities conducted. A consultant contract for the system plan was adopted in 2024. The SSWS Plan is progressing toward adoption, which is anticipated in Q3 2027.
The Plan, which is included on the 2026-27 Comprehensive Plan amendment docket, will be adopted by reference into the City’s Redmond 2050 Comprehensive Plan, Capital Facilities element, in order to fulfil State requirements for capital facilities planning. It will provide a comprehensive assessment and strategic approach to managing stormwater and surface water in the City of Redmond, helping guide City staff, the public, and decision-makers toward meeting goals and regulatory requirements. This plan would build upon and link numerous existing planning efforts related to stormwater and surface water management into a cohesive approach that will provide a path to implementation for capital improvement projects and programmatic actions.
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☒ Additional Background Information/Description of Proposal Attached
REQUESTED ACTION:
☒ Receive Information ☐ Provide Direction ☐ Approve
REQUEST RATIONALE:
• Relevant Plans/Policies:
2023/24 Adopted Budget, Redmond 2050, Community Strategic Plan, Utility Strategic Plan, Environmental Sustainability Action Plan, City-wide Watershed Management Plan, Regional Facilities Plan, Vision Blueprint 2050
• Redmond 2050 Comprehensive Plan - Capital Facilities element, policies CF-1 - CF-5; Utilities element, Stormwater policies UT-33 - UT-44.
• Required:
Redmond 2050 Capital Facilities planning policies require that the city adopt functional plans in order to fulfill WA Growth Management Act (GMA) requirements for capital planning, including storm and surface water systems.
• Council Request:
N/A
• Other Key Facts:
Management of roughly 11 billion gallons of stormwater runoff and the City’s surface water resources is a principal function of the Public Works Department. The goals for stormwater and surface water management in Redmond are to:
• Manage the stormwater utility responsibly to ensure regulatory compliance,
• Provide reliable and resilient stormwater services that protect people and property,
• Support a thriving, growing community, and
• Protect and improve the health of Redmond’s waters.
The SSWS Plan will integrate stormwater utility programs into a coordinated framework that defines objectives for stormwater and surface water management and articulates a comprehensive approach to achieving them. The SSWS Plan identifies needs to meet Redmond 2050 growth targets, provides cost estimates for capital investment and operational needs, and evaluates funding gaps to achieve goals.
OUTCOMES:
The SSWS Plan will provide a single, comprehensive resource guide for stakeholders, staff, and decision-makers to achieve sustainable and adaptive stormwater and surface water management in the City of Redmond. To that end, serve as a functional plan as described in the Redmond 2050 Comprehensive Plan Capital Facilities Element.
• Align stormwater and surface water management programs and projects with others within the city (e.g., Transportation, Parks) and regionally (e.g., salmon recovery) to leverage resources and maximize multiple benefits.
• Support full compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Provide a systematic approach to identifying and prioritizing stormwater infrastructure asset improvement projects.
• Identify enhancements to address deficiencies in asset inventory data, tracking, and reporting.
• Evaluate current and needed City programs, projects, and staff levels to meet present and future service demands and regulatory requirements for surface water and stormwater management, including operations and maintenance, infrastructure planning, and environmental restoration/rehabilitation.
• Evaluate funding sources and fund utilization for surface water and stormwater management, including but not limited to grants and Stormwater Utility fee rates and revenue.
COMMUNITY/STAKEHOLDER OUTREACH AND INVOLVEMENT:
• Timeline (previous or planned):
o Q3 2024 Derby Days booth
o Q3-Q4 2024 Stakeholder Interviews
o Q3-Q4 2024 Survey to residents and business owners
o Q2 2025 Downtown Redmond Link Opening booth
o Q3 2025 Derby Days booth
o 2024-2025 Let’s Connect and social media postings
o Q3-Q4 2026: Additional outreach with the community, prior to public comment on the draft plan.
• Outreach Methods and Results:
o Presence at Derby Days, Light Rail Opening, Rocking on the River
o 180+ people reached
o 89 survey responses
o Stakeholder interviews included individuals across business, environmental, and residential interests
• Feedback Summary:
Key themes from community input include:
• Strong support for pollution control, flood prevention, water quality, and maintenance.
• Interest in green stormwater infrastructure and educational efforts.
• Desire for innovative stormwater management solutions and enhanced partnerships.
BUDGET IMPACT:
Total Cost:
$500,000 in one-time funding was provided to support the development of a comprehensive system plan for the stormwater utility.
Approved in current biennial budget: ☒ Yes ☐ No ☐ N/A
Budget Offer Number:
Offer Number 0000146 (2023-2024 adopted budget); 0000268 Groundwater and Surface Water Management Offer (2025-2026 adopted budget)
Budget Priority:
Healthy and Sustainable
Other budget impacts or additional costs: ☐ Yes ☐ No ☒ N/A
If yes, explain:
N/A
Funding source(s):
Stormwater Utility Fund
Budget/Funding Constraints:
N/A
☐ Additional budget details attached
COUNCIL REVIEW:
Previous Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
3/5/2024 |
Committee of the Whole - Planning and Public Works |
Provide Direction |
|
3/19/2024 |
Business Meeting |
Approve |
Elements of the SWSS Plan were also noted during June and July 2026 council study sessions and business meetings in 2026, related to utility rates and stormwater Capital Improvement strategy investments.
Proposed Upcoming Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
1/12/2027 |
Study Session |
Receive Information |
|
6/8/2027 |
Study Session |
Provide Direction |
|
7/6/2027 |
Business Meeting |
Approve |
Time Constraints:
Planning Commission docket item for 2026/2027 with a deadline to complete review and approval by August 31, 2027.
ANTICIPATED RESULT IF NOT APPROVED:
Potential impacts include delays in meeting GMA requirements, misalignment with Redmond 2050 growth targets, delays in meeting NPDES permit compliance, and potential inefficiencies or increased costs due to a lack of coordinated stormwater planning.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: SSWSP Plan Graphic