A resolution requesting the Department of Water and Sewerage Services to fund and complete some stormwater projects from all three priority levels each year, and to submit a report to the Council each June regarding the number and category of each stormwater project to be funded and completed during the upcoming fiscal year.

WHEREAS, on April 1, 2002, the Metropolitan Stormwater Management Program was transferred from the Department of Public Works to the Department of Water and Sewerage Services; and

WHEREAS, the stormwater division of the Department of Water and Sewerage Services is responsible for addressing the city’s stormwater issues, including the repair and maintenance of certain areas that are prone to frequent flooding and erosion; and

WHEREAS, the stormwater division currently uses a “triage” system for stormwater maintenance and remediation to address the problems that are most severe first; and

WHEREAS, in triaging stormwater projects, the stormwater division takes certain factors into consideration, such as the threat to public safety, the threat of flooding, and the number of customers affected; and

WHEREAS, at the request of members of the Metropolitan Council, the stormwater division has held meetings to inform citizens regarding the methods used in prioritizing stormwater projects; and

WHEREAS, despite these efforts, citizens continue to be concerned about their stormwater issues; and

WHEREAS, although the three-tiered priority system currently in place is a logical method for dealing with stormwater issues, it has one serious drawback in that those customers with stormwater issues that are considered to be a low priority often feel that they have no hope of ever seeing their problems resolved; and

WHEREAS, developing a plan to complete certain stormwater projects from all three priority categories each year would give hope to low-priority customers that their problems might be addressed, and may also prevent small problems from becoming larger stormwater issues in the future.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. That the Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as requesting the Department of Water and Sewerage Services to fund and complete some stormwater projects from all three priority levels each year, and to submit a report to the Council each June regarding the number and category of each stormwater project to be funded and completed during the upcoming fiscal year.

Section 2. The Department of Water and Sewerage Services is further requested to respond to the Council as to the feasibility of and/or action taken in compliance with the request stated in Section 1 hereof within sixty (60) days from the adoption of this Resolution.

Section 3. The Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a certified copy of this Resolution to Scott Potter, the Director of the Department of Water and Sewerage Services, and to Tom Palko, the Assistant Director – Stormwater Division.

Section 4. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Vivian Wilhoite