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Stormwater utilities started emerging as a popular mechanism to fund community stormwater needs in the 1980s and 1990s. Regulatory drivers, particularly municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) requirements, led to creating the first stormwater utilities in larger cities. Since then, more jurisdictions of all sizes have been implementing stormwater utilities to fund ever-increasing stormwater program needs. Over the last 30 years, industry-standard practices have evolved, technology has changed rapidly, and financial practices and resources have expanded. In working with utilities of all ages, we see patterns in the way utilities mature. Depending on where a utility is in its stormwater utility development, patterns emerge in rate increases, rate structure modifications, data maintenance and management, and financing strategies. We will highlight indicators and drivers for updating your utility and include actionable steps to consider.
Read MoreInvestment in streetscape and infrastructure has a transformational effect on districts hurt by vacancy. Kannapolis revitalized its downtown in 2019, unveiling a transformed core that prioritizes the public realm, business investment, and proactive ways to incorporate new development. The redesign catalyzed activity and created new private development opportunities and partnerships, including the new baseball stadium that anchors downtown. West Avenue is downtown’s “signature street” and centerpiece of the project. The street had a substantial right-of-way that offered prime space for a linear park to stitch downtown with a generous public realm. As a result of the investment, many new businesses have opened in previously vacant storefronts, and new private developments are under way. Downtown now has regional pull and a vibrant public realm that can support business and quality of life. Kannapolis exemplifies the power of partnerships and infrastructure investment for revitalization.
Read MoreRegulatory compliance regarding Clean Water Act implementation varies on a state-by-state basis, but it doesn’t get much hotter than in the coastal states where much of the local economy depends on clean water resources. In the Sunshine State, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection is tasked with implementing the requirements of total maximum daily loads and Basin Management Action Plans with the desired outcome of reducing nutrients to improve and protect surface waters. Jurisdictions are determining the right amount for healthy waters and developing plans and projects to reach those goals—which are costly. Stormwater utilities that can generate sufficient revenues to meet the challenges placed upon them today relative to resilient drainage and water quality are still a comparatively new phenomenon. This presentation will focus on emerging trends in funding stormwater programs that address compliance with nutrient regulations and resiliency to showcase more accurate and advanced fee structures to ensure equity in cost recovery.
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Read MoreCity leaders embarked on an ambitious $13M Watershed Master Plan program in 2019 to better understand the magnitude and severity of flooding across the entire city and proactively develop flood…
Read MoreWhile many agencies and municipalities acquire land for a single purpose, learn from our panelists ways to generate income from rights-of-way and easements and maximize benefits to the public Land…
Read MoreFacilities and grounds have unique attributes that require thoughtful consideration as asset management programs are set up. Required information that agencies need to advise capital projects can vary greatly between…
Read MoreAdverse weather events can significantly affect vehicle and driver behavior. With the advent of automated vehicles (AVs), the Federal Highway Administration Road Weather Management Program has begun research and testing to identify how vehicles and drivers will detect and react to adverse weather and road weather conditions. AVs have sensors and perception systems to detect objects and events in their vicinity. Using this information, they control the steering or speed, or both, to move the vehicle along its selected path. Their ability to properly perceive the situation and execute a maneuver can be affected by atmospheric conditions and road weather. Several tests were developed and conducted with the intent to challenge perception systems across a variety of simulated adverse winter weather conditions in a controlled outdoor laboratory setting in traffic settings. The presentation will describe the tests and results that were obtained during the testing in Winter 2021 along with some videos.
Read MoreRegular reviews of the Winter Maintenance Policy can be time-consuming but very essential to keep it valid for the changing needs of the community. The City of Regina, Saskatchewan, adopted a consultative approach with the community and other stakeholders while completing a review of their Winter Maintenance Policy. The updated policy tries to satisfy the winter maintenance related demands and changing priorities of the community as well as aligns with their corporate vision and strategic goals to promote active, sustainable, and community-friendly transportation year-round.
Read MoreThis presentation will provide a step-by-step summary of the process used to convene the working group and arrive at consensus-based decisions driven by technical analysis of previously unquantifiable metrics. After the presentation, attendees will better be able to build modeling tools specifically designed to evaluate policy alternatives, assemble well-balanced working groups to collaborate on policy guidance, and establish robust consensus- and science-based policy for green infrastructure implementation to achieve a wide array of environmental and social objectives. The presentation will include a short cutting-edge computer-generated video that provides a visual representation of a selection of the various scenarios that have been modeled along with the representative metrics.
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