HomeMy WebLinkAbout$2,000 Deposit for WQMP ReviewCITY OF PALM DESERT
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
STAFF REPORT
REQUEST: AUTHORIZE STAFF TO COLLECT A $2,000 DEPOSIT FOR
WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT PLAN REVIEW
SUBMITTED BY: Mark Greenwood, P.E., Director of Public Works
DATE: December 10, 2009
Recommendation
By Minute Motion, authorize staff to collect a $2,000 deposit for Water
Quality Management Plan (WQMP) review.
Executive Summary
Staff recommends collecting a $2,000 deposit from developers when a WQMP is
required by the California Regional Water Quality Control Board regulations. The staff's
billable rate per hour will be charged back against this deposit. The amount of time
needed to review the plan will depend on the size and scope of the project and the
number of times it must be reviewed. Any money remaining from the deposit at the end
of the plan review will be returned to the developer. If the initial deposit is not enough,
the developer will be required to deposit additional funds to cover the full review cost.
Background
On May 21, 2008, the California Regional Water Quality Control Board renewed the
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)/Municipal Separate Storm
Sewer System (MS4) permit for all Coachella Valley cities. Under this new permit, a
project specific WQMP may be required for certain new development and
redevelopment projects that fall into certain criteria. The purpose of the WQMP is to
ensure that controls are in place to minimize water quality impacts during construction
and post construction.
The City of Palm Desert, along with other municipalities in the Coachella Valley, is a
co-permittee under the same Whitewater Region permit. According to the new permit,
the implementation deadline was June 15, 2009. Since then, the Planning Department
has been requiring new development and redevelopment projects that meet certain
criteria to submit a Preliminary WQMP during the entitlement process. The Preliminary
Staff Report
Permit Staff to Collect a $2,000 Deposit for WQMP Review
December 10, 2009
Page 2 of 2
WQMP needs to be reviewed and approved before a recommendation for action is
made to the Planning Commission. Once the project is entitled, a Final WQMP needs to
be submitted for review and approval again before a grading permit can be issued.
Because this is a new requirement, a WQMP plan check fee has not yet been
established. Other co-permittees in the valley are facing the same issue and some have
already started collecting a fee for this review. After reviewing several WQMPs already
and keeping track of the time spent, staff has come up with a reasonable amount of
$2,000 for a deposit.
Fiscal Analysis
Similar to other plan check fees, approval of this request will allow the City to cover
staff's time for reviewing until a plan check fee schedule is established.
Prepared By: Department H .'. d:
( ; Ai t Gt
Christina Canales, Assistant Engineer
aul S. Gibson, Director of Finance
royal
Mark Gree ood, P.E.,
Director of Public Works
CITY COUNCIL ACTION
APPROVED "� DENIED
RECEIVED OTHER
MEETING DATE --IG-061' p
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NOES: One
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: NOn e-
VERIFIED BY• R DDKrc
J • h M. Wohlmuth, City Manager Original on File with City Clerk's Office