Title
Interlocal Agreement for Establishment of an Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination Program and Stormwater Public Outreach Program (B)
This item is a request for the City Commission to approve and execute an Interlocal Agreement between Alachua County and the City of Gainesville for Establishment of Illicit Discharge Detection/ Elimination and Stormwater Public Outreach Programs
Explanation
The City and Alachua County (County), and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) established a tri-party Interlocal Agreement for the joint implementation of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II Municipal Separate Stormwater Systems (MS4) program in the Gainesville Urbanized Area in September of 2001. The agreement created the Gainesville Clean Water Partnership. Upon expiration of the tri-party agreement on September 30, 2012, FDOT and Alachua County mutually agreed to enter into separate Interlocal Agreements with the City for continued collaborative implementation of local NPDES programs. A guiding principal of the Gainesville Clean Water Partnership has been to share information and to minimize duplication of effort, thereby reducing the overall program cost.
The City has served as the administrator of the Gainesville Clean Water Partnership since its inception. The City in its role as program administrator has contracted with the Alachua County Environmental Protection Department to implement Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination and Public Outreach Programs, and to maintain a stream and rain gage data collection network.
The City seeks to establish an agreement with the Alachua County Environmental Protection Department to continue implementation of NPDES programs over the next five year period. The Illicit Discharge program includes expanded application of the County’s Water Quality Code and Hazardous Materials Management Code within the City’s municipal boundaries, including inspection of commercial properties for evidence of potential discharge of hazardous materials to the MS4 and for any associated enforcement actions, The agreement will also include investigation and response to citizen complaints regarding violations of non-stormwater discharge to the MS4and inspections and environmental sampling at high risk areas and removal of sources of pollutant discharge.
Fiscal Note
Over the five year term of the Agreement, the City, will commit up to 55% of the Gainesville Clean Water Partnership revenue or $1,537,802 to Alachua County for implementation of Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination, Public Outreach Programs, and for maintenance of a Stream and Rain Gage Network in the Gainesville Urban Area.
Recommendation
The City Commission: 1) approve the Interlocal Agreement with Alachua County for Establishment of Illicit Discharge Detection/Elimination, Stormwater Public Outreach and Stream/Rain Gage Programs; 2) authorize the City Manager to execute the Interlocal Agreement with Alachua County and all related documents, subject to approval by the City Attorney as to form and legality.