If there is one thing Alexandrians can agree on, it’s that the City has a flooding problem. What they can’t seem to agree on is what to do about it.
At numerous public meetings, many Alexandria residents have expressed the negative impact that recent flooding events have had on their quality of life and property. In response to the situation, the City has come up with a plan to double City stormwater fees and adopt a flood mitigation action plan for the next 10 years.
Many residents have expressed concerns that the increased fee would not go toward quickly and directly improving frequent flooding in their neighborhoods. They say the utility fee has not been used wisely since it was first adopted in 2018. Soon, concerned residents will have another opportunity to have their voices heard.
At Tuesday evening’s legislative meeting, city council passed a resolution to create an Ad Hoc Flood Mitigation Advisory Group. The group will consist of 10 members, including one member of City Council. The other members will represent civic associations, business, diversity and engineering, environmental, financial or other related interests.
The function of the group is described as the following in the resolution:
“a. Review and guide the plans, design, implementation, costs and financing of the flood mitigation activities with the intent of minimizing community impacts and maximizing overall community benefits.
b. Monitor and measure the progress of the City’s proposed flood mitigation efforts including major capacity projects, spot improvements and increased system maintenance;
c. Serve as a central body for receipt and dissemination of information for the City’s flood mitigation implementation efforts; the Advisory Group will produce and present an annual report to city council during spring budget season regarding the Advisory Group’s feedback on flood mitigation efforts.
d. Review and provide recommendations on proposed Stormwater Utility operating and capital budgets, as well as advise on proposed increases to the Stormwater Utility Fee. Review and provide recommendations on the Inflow and Infiltration operating and capital budgets.”
There will be a public hearing on the increased stormwater utility fee and flood mitigation action plan on Feb. 20, during which City Council will make its final decision on adopting the ordinance.
