Management of stormwater runoff has become an increasingly important responsibility for local governments like Garden City. Existing State and Federal Stormwater Regulations, necessary infrastructure maintenance, and capital improvement projects have driven the need to implement a more comprehensive stormwater management program. The Garden City stormwater management program is responsible for the management and regulation of stormwater and drainage issues within the City.
Stormwater runoff is water that drains off rooftops, driveways, sidewalks, parking lots, roads, compacted soil, gravel, and other surfaces that prohibit the infiltration of rainfall into the ground. The stormwater runoff then flows into the City drainage system and, eventually, into our local streams and creeks. All developed properties in a community contribute stormwater runoff to the drainage system and, in some cases, to recurring drainage problems. In addition to flooding problems, stormwater runoff washes chemicals, debris, trash and other pollutants into the drainage system and our local surface waters.
Our stormwater management program must undertake various activities including the cleaning of ditches and other stormwater conveyance systems; replacement of aging culverts and drainage structures; and construction of new culvert systems to increase or improve conveyance capacity. To fund these programs, Garden City has in place a stormwater utility.
The following documents relate to the Stormwater Utility Fee adopted by City Council on February 2, 2009.