HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-12-15 City Council (6)City of Palo Alto
City Manager’s Report
TO:HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC WORKS
DATE:
SUBJECT:
DECEMBER 15, 2003
UPDATE ON FUTURE STORM DRAIN FUNDING
CMR:554:03
This is an informational report and no Council action is required.
One of the work items on the Council’s Top 5 priority of Infrastructure is a staff
recommendation on alternatives for future funding of the City’s storm drain program and
to return to Council with an update prior to the end of the year.
The Storm Drainage Fund continues to experience an operating deficit due to insufficient
revenue from existing storm drain utility rates. For the current year, the General Fund is
providing $0.8 million in supplemental funding to maintain a baseline level of service for
storm drain maintenance and storm water quality protection programs. There is no new
funding provided for storm drain capital improvements, despite a backlog of capital
needs. Staff has been meeting to review alternative funding mechanisms and levels of
service in order to devise an optimal storm drain program. Staff has reviewed the capital
improvements recommended by the Storm Drain Committee and has identified the most
critical projects. Based on this analysis, staff will develop a downsized capital project list
that could be funded with a reasonable fee increase. Due to existing workload
constraints, this item will not be agendized in 2003. Staff plans to present a report to
Council on storm drain funding alternatives at the Council meeting on February 9, 2004.
PREPARED BY:
DEPARTMENT HEAD:
GLENN S. ROBERTS
Director of Public Works
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
HARRISON
Assistant City Manager
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