Greenville City Council Workshop - February 5, 2024

The Greenville City Council held a workshop on February 5, 2024, at City Hall to discuss stormwater management. The meeting was called to order by Mayor P.J. Connolly at 4:00 PM. After roll call, the agenda was approved unanimously (6-0). The primary agenda item was a comprehensive update on the stormwater program, including watershed master plans, capital projects, rate increases, and ordinance changes. An update on Greenville's 250th Anniversary was listed on the agenda but was not discussed before adjournment.

Discussion Items

Stormwater Management Update

Lisa Kirby, Director of Engineering, and Daryl Norse, Civil Engineer III, presented a three-part update:

• Watershed Master Plans: Completed in 2016, covering seven watersheds. The plans included inventory of 44 miles of streams, 200 stream crossings, and modeling of storm flows. The city established service levels: closed pipe systems for a 10-year storm, minor crossings for 25-year, major crossings (e.g., Memorial Boulevard) for 50-year, and railroad crossings for 100-year. An update is planned for 2026 to incorporate new areas, updated rainfall data (noting more intense storms), and reprioritized projects. The update will also analyze equity and criticality of flood impacts.

• Rate Study and Fee Increases: A stakeholder group (Stormwater Advisory Committee) met 14 times over two years. The stormwater utility fee, billed monthly via GUC, is based on an Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) of 2,000 sq ft of impervious area. Residential properties are capped at 4 ERUs. In 2019, the rate was $5.35/ERU/month. Council approved a $1/ERU/year increase for four years starting July 2021. Current rate (after three increases) is $8.35/ERU/month. The final $1 increase in July 2025 will bring the rate to $9.35/ERU/month, generating projected revenue of $11.2 million annually. The city now has approximately 43,800 accounts and 112,000 ERUs.

• Capital Projects (Next 5 Years): Staff outlined $58 million in utility-funded projects, leveraging grants and general fund contributions for a total of $76 million. Key projects included:

  • Lake Ellsworth Overflow Pipes: Design and replacement of pipes under Ellsworth Drive; $790,000 in FY24-25; two design proposals received.
  • Cedar Stream Bank Stabilization: Reedy Branch from 14th Street to JC Park; design 95% complete; $3.1 million in FY24-25.
  • Quarry Road Drainage: Twin 48-inch floodplain culverts and regional detention pond; $9.1 million total (includes $5 million LASI grant); contract to council in March.
  • REED Branch Drainage Improvements: Paralleling St. Andrews; $7.4 million (includes $3.4 million BRICK grant); contract for council approval that evening.
  • East Fire Tower Drainage: Floodplain benching and culverts for 84 properties in the 25- and 100-year floodplain; $18.7 million in FY25-27.
  • Greenbrier Culvert Restoration: Upstream of Greensmill Run; design 95% complete; $5.7 million in FY27.
  • North and South Culvert Improvements: Addressing ingress/egress for ~24 homes; $2.4 million in FY27-28 (no grant; utility-funded).
  • South Elm Street Drainage: Pipe replacement and repairs; $12.7 million in FY27-28.
  • Cedar Pipe Replacement: Capacity and condition deficiencies on Cedar Lane and Wright Road; $2.3 million in FY29.
  • Annual Stormwater Improvement Program: $1.5–1.8 million per year for pipe repairs and replacements.

Councilmembers asked questions about specific areas (e.g., Cedar Lane, Adams, Golden) and how projects would address erosion and flooding. Staff clarified that the Cedar Stream Bank Stabilization addresses erosion along Reedy Branch, while the Cedar Pipe Replacement addresses enclosed system capacity. Councilmember Foreman raised concerns about constituents on Cedar Lane losing land due to runoff. Staff acknowledged the need to continue coordination on that area.

• Ordinance Updates: Daryl Norse discussed regulatory changes driven by updated state rules for nutrient-sensitive waters (Tar-Pam and Neuse River Basins). A stakeholder committee met 12 times over a year. Key changes:
  • High-Density Threshold: Development with over 24% impervious coverage (built-upon area) requires stormwater control measures; low-density development only requires vegetated conveyances.
  • Redevelopment District Exemption Eliminated: Downtown redevelopment projects will now be subject to nutrient regulations if they add impervious area.
  • Conservation Easement Offsets: Undeveloped lots (e.g., wetlands, floodplains) can be used to offset impervious area elsewhere within the same river basin, even under different ownership.
  • Fee-in-Lieu Program: Developers can pay into a fund for regional detention instead of on-site ponds, but only where no downstream capacity issues exist (red area on map currently restricted).
  • Stormwater Control Measure Requirements: Must be compliant before certificate of occupancy; one-year developer warranty; annual inspections for all detention ponds (previously only water quality ponds). Every-three-year city inspections with private engineer reports; consequences for non-compliant inspectors.

The ordinance update is expected to be brought to council in March for a public hearing and two readings, with an effective date of July 1, 2024. Staff plans education workshops for the development community before implementation.

The city manager noted that the proactive approach mirrors the street improvement program and will significantly benefit the community over the next 20 years.

Key Outcomes

• No votes were taken; the workshop was for discussion and information.
• Staff will bring the stormwater ordinance update to council in March for a public hearing and adoption.
• An update on the 250th Anniversary was not presented; the meeting adjourned after the stormwater discussion.