CITY OF THORNTON CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE

A G E N D A

Council Update Training Room

September 26, 2017 5:45 p.m.

A. Boards and Committees Reports (Estimated 20 Minutes)

1. Rangeview Library District Meeting (9/20) Update by Councilmember Nizam

2. DRCOG Board of Directors Meeting (9/20) Update by Mayor Pro Tem Montoya

3. Urban Drainage and Flood Control District Meeting (9/21)

Update by Mayor Williams

B. Update on the Trail Winds Recreation Center (Estimated 30 Minutes)

C. Discussion of Stormwater Utility (Estimated 30 Minutes)

B

COUNCIL UPDATE COMMUNICATION PAGE 2

Reduce landscape allowance from 907,800 to 840,000. 67,800Reduce spray play devices. 52,900Eliminate southwest driveway off traffic circle. 73,300Change fire lane to 9” asphalt in lieu of concrete. 106,500Eliminate lease space in Life Long Learning Wing. 94,400Eliminate storage in lease space. 13,600Add over excavation of site. *550,000Add window blinds and shades. *68,000

Net Reduction $572,300

Alternative Two

Sell additional debt of $572,300. Impacts the construction of either the new Active Adult Center, or improvements to the Margaret W. Carpenter Recreation Center.

Alternative Three

Revise the recommended modifications based on Council direction.

CITY OF THORNTON - TRAIL WINDS RECREATION CENTER

8 - 23 - 17

A 49

B & W PLANS

CITY OF THORNTON - TRAIL WINDS RECREATION CENTER

7 - 06 - 17

A 62

VIEW FROM HOLLY ST 100% SD

VIEW FROM HOLLY ST REVISED

CITY OF THORNTON - TRAIL WINDS RECREATION CENTER

7 - 06 - 17

A 63

VIEW FROM 136TH ST 100% SD

VIEW FROM 136TH ST REVISED

CITY OF THORNTON - TRAIL WINDS RECREATION CENTER

7 - 06 - 17

A 68

BACK AERIAL 100% SD

BACK AERIAL REVISED

C

COUNCIL UPDATE COMMUNICATION PAGE 2

A stormwater utility collects a fee based on use of the storm sewer system. Properties that contain more impervious surfaces and therefore discharge more runoff into the storm sewer system, pay a higher stormwater utility fee. The majority of Front Range municipalities utilize a flat-rate fee for residential properties and a parcel-based fee for non-residential properties. Most residential properties are relatively similar in terms of their size and impervious area due to municipal-specific regulations, so therefore they produce a similar amount of stormwater runoff and are charged the same fee. Non-residential properties can vary widely in the size and amount of impervious area, therefore most municipalities utilize a parcel-based charge for service. A parcel-based charge for service can be administered in a variety of ways, but most commonly either by the amount of impervious area on each property to determine the corresponding fee or create subcategories of non-residential properties that have similar impervious ratios to determine a per acre charge for the fee. Common exclusions to the stormwater fee include undeveloped land, open space, rights-of-way, public parks, and stormwater facilities since they generally do not contribute runoff to the storm sewer system. Stormwater utility fees are typically billed through the existing utility bills and enforced similar to water or sewer utilities. Thornton currently funds operations, maintenance, and capital projects for stormwater through the general fund. An estimated $1.8 million is budgeted annually for operations and maintenance programs related to stormwater or implementation of the NPDES permit through multiple City departments including Infrastructure, City Development, and Parks and Open Space. These services include:

Detention pond and drainageway inspection and maintenance Street sweeping, inlet inspections, and storm sewer flushing Stormwater Program coordination (training, documentation, reviews, inspections, enforcement,

public participation, public notification, illicit discharge detection and elimination, facility compliance)

Equipment and personnel Depending upon the rate, a stormwater utility could also fund stormwater related capital improvement projects. Projects could include the recently discussed Niver Creek channel improvements and new culvert underneath Huron Street, the Hoffman Drainage improvements at 88th Avenue, or improvements at 128th Avenue and Brantner Gulch. Drainage projects are currently budgeted through the general fund. Matching funds may be available through the Urban Drainage and Flood Control District.

City of Thornton

September 12, 2017

Discussion of a Stormwater Utility

Discussion of a Stormwater Utility

• Fee based service: the more runoff produced into the stormwater system, the higher the fee.

• Most Front Range municipalities adopted stormwater utilities in the 1990’s and early 2000’s based on new federal requirements. – Adams County, Arvada,

Aurora, Boulder, Brighton, Castle Rock, Denver, Englewood, Federal Heights, Firestone, Fort Collins, Frederick, Golden, Greeley, Lafayette, Lakewood, Littleton, Longmont, Loveland, Northglenn, Parker, and Sheridan.

Discussion of a Stormwater Utility

• Approximately a $1.8M annual operations and maintenance cost for:– Personnel and equipment

– Detention pond and drainagewayinspection and maintenance

– Street sweeping, inlet inspections, and storm sewer flushing

– Stormwater Program coordination (training, documentation, reviews, inspections, enforcement, public participation, public notification, illicit discharge detection and elimination, facility compliance)

Discussion of a Stormwater Utility

• Ten Unique Storm Basins– Direct Flow Area 0054 (, Niver Creek Watershed, Grange Hall Creek

Watershed, Basin 4100, Direct Flow Area 0056, South Platte Tributaries, Todd Creek Watershed, Bratner Gulch Watershed, Hoffman Drainage, Big Dry Creek Watershed

• Capital improvement projects guided by master plans– A 2012 review identified 53 capital improvement projects

– 2012 Cost Estimate $110M ($140M in 2017 dollars)

– Some drainage improvements could be made by future development

Discussion of a Stormwater Utility

• Ten Unique Storm Basins– Direct Flow Area 0054 (Woodglen), Niver Creek Watershed, Grange

Hall Creek Watershed, Basin 4100 (Original Thornton, Direct Flow Area 0056 (100th Avenue and Riverdale Road), South Platte Tributaries, Todd Creek Watershed, Brantner Gulch Watershed, Hoffman Drainage, Big Dry Creek Watershed

• Capital improvement projects guided by master plans– A 2012 review identified 53 capital improvement projects

– 2012 Cost Estimate $110M ($140M in 2017 dollars)

– Some drainage improvements could be made by future development

Discussion of a Stormwater UtilityPriority Capital Improvement Projects

Ward Project Name Location 2017 Cost Benefit

2 Grange Hall Creek Drainage Improvement at Carpenter Park Channel Stabilization

112th Ave to Rec Ctrponds

$400,000Maintenance

1 Hoffman Way- parallel drainage system (88th Ave to 90th Ave) Phase 1

Hoffman Way - 88th Ave $1,200,000Eliminates flooding and removes property from the floodplain

1 Hoffman Way- parallel drainage system (88th Ave to 90th Ave) Phase 2

Hoffman Way - 88th Ave to Lilly Dr

$2,300,000Eliminates flooding and removes property from the floodplain

1 Niver Creek Tributary M Improvements Huron Street at approximately Gale Blvd

$3,300,000Eliminates flooding at a major arterial

1 Niver Creek Drainage Improvements at 84th Avenue & Grant Street

84th Avenue & Grant Street to Washington Street

$5,500,000Prevents flooding of 84th Avenue, Washington Street and North Valley Tech Center

3 Brantner Gulch Drainage Improvements at 128th Avenue

128th Avenue between Riverdale Road and Quebec Street

$5,300,000Eliminates flooding at a major arterial

2 Grange Hall Creek Drainage Improvement at 108th Avenue

108th Ave east of Colorado Blvd

$1,100,000Eliminates flooding of a collector roadway

2 GHC South Tributary Washington Street culvert

Washington Street south of 102nd

$750,000Prevent overtopping of Washington Street in design storm

2 GHC South Tributary 104th Avenue culverts 104th Avenue east of Irma

$750,000Prevent overtopping of 104th Avenue in design storm

Discussion of a Stormwater UtilityPriority Capital Improvement Projects

Ward Project Name Location 2017 Cost Benefit

2 GHC Colorado Boulevard Floodwall Colorado Boulevard south of 110th Avenue entrance to MCRC

$300,000Prevent overtopping of Colorado Boulevard in design storm

2 GHC 108th Avenue improvements 108th Avenue east of Birch Ct.

$700,000Prevent overtopping of 108th Avenue in design storm

2 GHC Riverdale Road Improvements Riverdale Road just north of 104th Avenue

$150,000Prevent overtopping of Riverdale Road in design storm

2 GHC LCC Improvements Just east of Riverdale Road, north of 104th Avenue

$300,000Prevent failure of the LCC siphon under the creek

3 Brantner Gulch Drainage Improvements at Quebec Street

Quebec Street at approx. 124th Avenue

$2,500,000Completes drainage improvements to Quebec Street

4 Big Dry Creek Channel/Floodplain Improvements: from 136th Avenue through Washington Street

136th Avenue through Washington Street

$1,050,000Supports development of the area

4 Big Dry Creek Floodplain Improvements: 152nd Ave. to E-470

152nd Ave. to E-470 $1,400,000Floodplain restoration of incised banks and degraded wildlife habitat

Discussion of a Stormwater Utility

• 2012 Internal Feasibility Analysis– Funding for operations and maintenance

– Capacity to issue revenue bonds for capital improvements

– Comparable rates with Front Range utilities

Discussion of a Stormwater Utility

Discussion of a Stormwater Utility

Discussion of a Stormwater Utility

Discussion of a Stormwater Utility

• If City Council is interested in pursuing a Stormwater Utility…– Hire a consultant to conduct a study and develop a fee structure

– Conduct research on recent Stormwater Utility implementations to understand effective outreach strategies

– Bring back results to City Council in 2018, ahead of 2019 Budget process