City plans 19-mile stormwater TV inspection and GPS mapping; two pickup purchases to support maintenance

City officials told the council they will assess 19 miles of the city's underground stormwater system using television inspection and GPS mapping, then use the data to prioritize repairs and maintenance. The inspection and mapping work is intended to reduce emergency repairs and help the city meet federal MS4 regulatory requirements. “Part of that, we are able to pretty much help mitigate some of it,” the presenter said, describing the project’s goal to identify conditions in storm drains and outfalls. Staff said the city adopted a fee structure in February 2009 that allows the municipality to collect a stormwater fee on utility bills; residential fees would rise from $1.85 to $2.25 under the proposed tiers mentioned in the presentation. The funds can be used only to maintain or improve stormwater drainage and to control pollutants in outfalls. The inspection project is expected to cost roughly half a million dollars across two small projects, staff said. The assessment will produce maps and video that staff said they can make interactive for council and the public. Council members asked whether in-house crews perform maintenance. Staff said the Streets Department currently helps maintain outfalls and that the inspection will inform whether to keep work in-house or hire contractors. Staff said the work will identify where cleaning, slope repair or other remediation is needed. In a related item, staff said they will bring a bid back in two weeks to buy two Ford F-150 vehicles for stormwater operations and that funds for the vehicles are budgeted. Council members asked about make and size; staff said the vehicles will be retrofitted in-house with toolboxes, lights and other equipment. No formal action was taken at the meeting; staff said they will return in two weeks with the inspection quote and with the vehicle bid.