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KENT COUNTY STORMWATER MAINTENANCE DISTRICT
2015 VUSP Stormwater Symposium
Villanova, Pennsylvania
Sarah Keifer, AICPKent County, Delaware
David Athey, PE, CPSWQ, CMS4SAECOM (previously with Duffield Associates)
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Maintenance District Summary
County maintains SWM structures for a fee Modeled after other districts which already exist Requirement for new developments to join Made available to existing developments
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Maintenance District Summary
Geared towards HOAs but open to commercial Properties in incorporated areas can join with
authorization from local municipality Work performed / contracted by Conservation District
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Maintenance District Summary
No known examples of other jurisdictions taking on task without stormwater utility funding stream
Biggest question – how much to charge?
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Major Steps Categorized / defined
maintenance tasks Researched typical
maintenance costs Assessed options for cost
allocation Determined revenue collection
process Developed administrative
aspects of program
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Current Situation Nearly 1,000 basins and BMPs in Kent County, Delaware
Roughly 500 subject of SWMD (unincorporated County) Maintained by HOAs and commercial property owners On-going concerns about effectiveness and long-term costs
Varying degrees of upkeep Routine tasks usually performed Minor maintenance often not being done Major restorations seldom planned
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Agencies Involved Kent County Levy Court
Responsible for planning and land use decisions Petition and public hearing process in place for
other types of services such as sewer districts Has legislation and taxing authority
Kent Conservation District Delegated agency responsible for implementing
State Stormwater Regulations in Kent County Has authority for stormwater plan review/approval
and construction and post-construction inspection Provides technical assistance for drainage and
flood control
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Coordination with HOAs On-going dialogue with HARP since 2012
Community Outreach Governance Billings and delinquencies Maintenance of stormwater management structures
Legal considerations Agreements with individual HOAs Easements and Access Liability / Insurance
Other tasks performed by County for HOAs Billing Repository of information
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Typical Maintenance Tasks Routine maintenance
Grass cutting, vegetative management, trash removal, fencing, signage
Minor maintenance Sediment removals, clearing of obstructions, flow channel
stabilization, erosion repair
Major maintenance Outlet structure or inlet pipe replacement, embankment
repair, complete rehabilitation
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Proposed Services by SWMD Routine maintenance
Too many variables to assign a per lot cost Handle on case by case basis
Minor maintenance Responsibility of SWMD
Major maintenance Responsibility of SWMD
* Initially considered separately but ultimately combined
*
*
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Three Approaches for Revenue Fee on subdivision by subdivision basis
Most equitable but wide range of fees across District
Single fee regardless of size or number of structures Simplest to implement but potentially inequitable
No fee but use general revenues Politically difficult even though all residents would benefit
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Variability in Assigning Costs Inconsistent data and terminology
Commonly based on structure size or volume
Multiple variables effect estimates Type of structure (pond, BMP, etc.) Regulatory context and bases for design How well a structure was built Degree of prior upkeep
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References Reviewed BMP-REALCOST – Urban Flood Control District in
Denver, Colorado Evaluation of Costs and Benefits of Structural
Stormwater Best Management Practices in North Carolina – North Carolina Cooperative Extension and North Carolina State University
Costs of Stormwater Management Practices in Maryland Counties – University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science
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UMCES Report Two Tiers of Maintenance
Costs Quantified Tier 1 corresponded to routine
and minor maintenance costs Further distinction needed to
break out routine Tier 2 corresponded to major
maintenance costs End result needed – total minor
and major costs without including routine
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Single Fee Approach Adopted Huge dispersions with subdivision by subdivision basis
Nearly two orders of magnitude difference
Accounting concerns if multiple rates adopted Cost of billing could be large percentage of bill
No support for use of general revenues Essentially a non-starter
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$175,380 / 293 = $599 average cost per structure$599 = $600 +/-
$600 x 25% uncertainty factor = $750 per structure per year
Program Cost EstimationWeighted Structure Maintenance Costs in Subdivisions
NumberTotal Minor + Major
Costs - Routine SubtotalType
Bio-Swale 47 $370 $17,390
Dry Pond 50 $840 $42,000
Infiltration 23 $530 $12,190
Wet Pond 173 $600 $103,800
Totals 293 - $175,380
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Structures per subdivision Average = 1.78 structures per subdivision Median = 1.0 structure per subdivision Assumed structures per subdivision = 2.0
Homes per subdivision Average = 105 homes per subdivision Median = 73 homes per subdivision Assumed homes per subdivision = 75
Program Cost Estimation
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$750 x 2 structures per subdivision = $1,500 per subdivision per year$1,500 / 75 lots per subdivision = $20 per lot per year$20 with 15% administration fee = $23 per lot per year$23 rounded up = $24 per lot per yearCapital set aside = $6 per lot per yearSubtotal = $30 per lot per yearReset through public hearing process = $28 per lot per year
Program Cost Estimation
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Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) Approach Used One ERU for Kent County Growth Zone = 3,500 sq. ft. 353 impervious acres = 4,389 ERUs / 133 basins = 33 ERUs per basin
Locations <= 33 ERUs – flat fee of $1,087.50 per year Locations > 33 ERUs – will pay $34.80 per ERU per year
Commercial Properties
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Enabling legislation at State level for districts Existing include wastewater, sidewalks, street lights, etc. Restrictions and limitations
Ordinance drafted by Kent County Voluntary participation for existing development Mandatory for all new residential & mixed use development Uniform fee structure Subdivisions within municipalities may participate
Implementation & Oversight MOU with Conservation District Establishment of Technical Advisory Committee Levy Court establishes annual budget
Regulatory Authority
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Representative submits letter of intent to petition KCD issues assessment report based on facility’s current condition
Needed repairs must be completed before joining SWMD HOA or commercial owner funded repairs or through loans
Petition submitted with 51% of lot owners signing Initial concerns by HOAs on ability to get to 51% County may consider lesser requirement in future
Public hearing held Upon approval, fee collection begins Record covenants giving District access to stormwater infrastructure
Application Process
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Contracting by Conservation District Minor, major, and emergency repairs performed with internal
resources or contract with private contractors Routine maintenance activities contracted out to qualified private
sector professionals Formation of Technical Advisory Committee
Assist in review and prioritization of capital projects, annual budget, and general administration of the SWMD
Includes County and Conservation District staff, DNREC, private sector engineers, private stormwater maintenance company, and a citizen representative
Administrative Provisions
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Three informational public workshops held Located in different parts of the County In addition to the formal public hearings
Meetings with individual Homeowners Associations Answer questions specific to each community Positive response Increased awareness of stormwater
Fact sheet and HOA handout available Informational page on County website Information included with maintenance
inspection report
Public Outreach with HOAs
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26 Letters of Intent 17 Assessments / O&M Plans completed 15 Petitions Completed
In each case 51% met or exceeded 7 Resolutions completed
3 within municipalities First billing cycle completed
Progress to Date
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Governance in Pennsylvania Different than Delaware Pennsylvania has townships / Delaware does not Unincorporated areas in Delaware governed by counties Counties in Delaware have more authority and services
2013 PA Municipality Authorities Act Amendment Authorized new or existing authorities to take on stormwater
planning, management and implementation Projects need to be authorized and defined by an authority’s
articles of incorporation Maintenance of privately-owned basins could be first step
towards broader program
Applicability in Other States
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SWM District will… Solve problems inherent with reliance on private entities Relieve lay people of responsibilities Improve maintenance and water quality Reduce overall costs due to economies of scale Segue to better management of entire system
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KENT COUNTY STORMWATER MAINTENANCE DISTRICT
Sarah Keifer, AICPKent County, Delaware
David Athey, PE, CPSWQ, CMS4SAECOM (previously with Duffield Associates)
http://www.co.kent.de.us/planning-dept/planning/stormwater-management-district-program.aspx