Implementation Plan

COH SealOn September 29, 2010 Mayor Parker presented her administration's plan for implementing Proposition 1. This document explains the principles established by the administration and how Proposition 1 would create a dedicated pay-as-you-go fund for improving and maintaining Streets and Drainage, including capital improvements, ongoing maintenance, and compliance with federal/state water quality laws in our drainage systems.

Proposition 1 - Funding Sources

  • Developer Impact Fees - Process defined in State Law which is similar to
    City Council approval for water/wastewater impact fees
  • 11.8ยข id Ad Valorem Property Tax - Amount currently spent for streets and drainage
  • Remittances from Metro, TxDot and other governmental sources
  • Drainage Charge

Drainage Charge will be based on "Cost of Service"

  • Key determination will be actual "hard areas" (impervious surfaces) that generate
    requirements for the drainage conveyance system
  • All property owners will pay full cost of service, no subsidizing
  • Only exemptions will be those required by State Law
  • Undeveloped land will not be charged a drainage charge
  • Calculations will utilize publicly available digitized mapping data

Drainage Charge - Other Considerations

  • Charge to be fixed for at least 10 years and will require 2/3 vote of City Council to increase
  • Property owners will no longer be subject to individual assessments for street improvements
  • Per Proposition 1, the fee will begin July 1, 2011

Drainage Charge - Residential Properties

  • For curb and gutter streets - charge calculated to be $.032/sq foot/year of total "hard areas" (see example)
  • For open ditch streets - charge calculated to be $.026/sq ft/year of total "hard areas" (see example)
  • Charge differences reflective of requirements on the drainage conveyance system
  • HCAD defined data can be used as an approximation
    • "Hard Areas" (or impervious surface) defined as "PRI" (example follows)
    • To allow for driveways and other "hard areas" multiply PRI by 1.38

Residential Property Example

Curb and Gutter Street

  • Typical lot size: 5,000 sq ft
  • Typical house ground floor/garage/driveway: 1,900 sq. ft.
  • Monthly charge: (1900 x .032)/12 = $5.07

Open Ditch Street

  • Typical lot size: 5,000 sq ft
  • Typical house ground floor/garage/driveway: 1,900 sq ft
  • Monthly charge: (1900 x .026)/12 = $4.12

Estimate using HCAD Data

  • PRI on HCAD page (typical): 1,376 square feet
  • Allowance for all other hard surfaces: 38%
  • Monthly charge:
    • Curb and gutter: (1,375 x 1.38 x .032) / 12 = $5.07
    • Open ditch: (1,375 x 1.38 x .026) / 12 = $4.12

Drainage Charge - Commercial/Industrial/Institutional Properties

  • Charge calculated to be $.032/sq ft x "hard areas"
  • Commercial/Industrial/Institutional properties have ready access to "hard areas" on each property

Drainage Charge - All Property Types

  • Available "hard area" information includes HCAD, GIS info and publicly available mapping data (Google Earth, etc.)
  • Online verification and correction process will be put in place
  • Transparent appeal process based on actual data for all property types to a neutral body

Process for Establishing Project Priorities

  • Current 5 year CIP will be used until comprehensive street and drainage needs re-assessment is complete
  • Preparing needs assessment for streets:
    • Based on technical evaluation
    • Will use Pavement Condition Report (PCR)
    • Presented to City Council in July 2011
  • Preparing needs assessment for drainage
    • Based on technical evaluation
    • Will use Comprehensive Drainage Plan done in 1999
    • Plan being updated by Storm Water Enhanced Evaluation Tool (SWEET) currently under development
    • Presented to City Council in July 2011
  • Oversight committee will advise on priorities and process
    • Will appoint Committee with significant background in community development/infrastructure assessments and other stakeholders
    • Appointees will not be employees of the City
    • Appointees will not be drawn from Contractors, Engineers or firms participating in the street and drainage program

Community Involvement

  • City's S/MWDBE program will be fully enforced in this effort
  • Program will also have a "Hire Houston First" focus
  • Mentoring program (similar to Greater Houston Wastewater Program of the early 1990s) will be developed and implemented
  • Internship program in partnership with local colleges and/or organizations will be developed and implemented

Anticipated Timeline

  • Proposition 1 to voters on November 2
  • Drainage Utility Ordinance implementation to City Council March 2011
  • Database in place April 2011
  • Website available May 2011