Title
A Resolution to Amend Resolution No. 153-19 Removing the 2020 Black Squirrel Creek Basin Bridge Fee
Presenter:
Richard Mulledy, P.E., Stormwater Enterprise Manager, Stormwater Enterprise
Erin Powers, P.E., Senior Technical Engineer, Stormwater Enterprise
Body
Summary:
The Colorado Springs / El Paso County Drainage Board, at their July 2, 2020 meeting, approved the recommendation for the removal of the bridge fee for the Black Squirrel Creek Basin. The existing 2020 bridge fee for this basin is $1,667 per acre. The new bridge fee for this basin would be $0 per acre.
Background:
The Black Squirrel Creek Drainage Basin Planning Study (DBPS) was adopted by City Council Resolution No. 12-89 on January 24, 1989. This DBPS calculated a bridge fee based on six arterial road crossings. Bridge fees have been and continue to be collected based on this calculation.
As development in the basin has progressed, it has become clear that fewer bridges will be constructed within the City limits of the Black Squirrel Creek Basin. The Voyager Pkwy. over Black Squirrel Creek Bridge and Powers Blvd. over Black Squirrel Creek Bridge are the only arterial road crossings to be constructed within the City limits of the Black Squirrel Creek Basin. The Voyager Pkwy. over Black Squirrel Creek Bridge has been included in the calculation behind the recommended fee removal. The Powers Blvd. over Black Squirrel Creek Bridge will be funded separately by the Colorado Department of Transportation.
Due to the decrease in the number of required bridges in the Black Squirrel Creek Basin, additional bridge fees are not required. The recommendation would remove the bridge fee in the Black Squirrel Creek Basin.
Previous Council Action:
On December 10, 2019, the City Council approved Resolution No. 153-19 establishing the 2020 Black Squirrel Creek Basin Bridge Fee. This resolution set the bridge fee for the Black Squirrel Creek Basin at $1,667 per acre.
Financial Implications:
Bridge fees are paid by developers and are used to reimburse other developers who construct arterial road crossings within a particular basin. The fees are used to help offset the costs that developers incur to build public infrastructure that is beyond their obligation. The revenue and expenditures for bridge fees are tracked in a separate fund. There is no impact to the General Fund.
City Council Appointed Board/Commission/Committee Recommendation:
The Colorado Springs / El Paso County Drainage Board, at their July 2, 2020 meeting, approved a recommendation to City Council to set the Black Squirrel Creek Bridge Fee to $0.00, such that bridge fees are no longer collected in the Black Squirrel Creek Basin.
Stakeholder Process:
City staff has communicated with, and did not receive opposition from members of the local development community. There were no public comments received when the item was presented at the referenced Drainage Board meeting.
Alternatives:
Leave the bridge fee for the Black Squirrel Creek Basin at its current amount. This would result in the continued collection of surplus bridge fees.
Recommended Action
Proposed Motion:
City staff is bringing forward the recommendation of the Drainage Board, which was to approve the resolution to set the Black Squirrel Creek Bridge Fee to $0 per acre, such that bridge fees are no longer collected in the Black Squirrel Creek Basin.
Summary of Ordinance Language
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