1. Proposal: Evaluation of wastewater treatment system operation  should be a Policy

Rationale: The need for an upgrade in Florence’s wastewater treatment facility was the cause of considerable expense and conflict, not to mention lawsuits, fines, and an investigation  by the Federal government.  The possibility of dumping raw sewage, as happened previously, and the resultant damage to the environment and health of the community must be avoided in the future.  Evaluation of capacity, before the need exists, should be a high priority.

Suggested Language: Page 81, [Recommendations 2.] Policies - 4. The City [should] shall evaluate the operation of the wastewater system on an annual basis, and make any adjustments necessary in budgets, staffing and capital expenditures to ensure that the system is operated in compliance with DEQ permits.

B. Water System Supplies and Needs

1.   Proposal: Adoption of Wellhead Protection Plan should be Policy

Rationale: The water supply in the North Florence Dunal aquifer is extremely susceptible to contamination from surface sources because it is composed primarily of sand.  The City is currently embarking on a major project to install new wells, and a wellhead protection plan should be in place in order to give guidance to the location and construction of the new wells.

Suggested Language: Page 83, Policies - 7.  The City shall review, revise and adopt the Wellhead Protection Ordinance, attached as Appendix *     , to protect the aquifer for the existing and potential wellfields, which supply drinking water for the residents of the City by the end of year 2002.

2.   Proposal: Recommendation 4. should be Policy, with additional language requiring wellhead protection

Rationale: Because of the sand composition of the soils in the area, which is readily permeated by surface contaminants, the municipal wells should be located on City-owned property so that the City has the maximum control possible over activities in the wellhead area.

Suggested Language: Page 83, [Recommendations 4.] Policies - 8.  The City [should pursue] shall ensure public ownership of [private] lands containing the proposed future wellfields.

3.   Proposal: Wellhead Protection should be Policy, with additional language providing higher level of protection than state and federal standards

Rationale: As stated above, a wellhead protection plan should be in place prior to developing new wellheads.

Suggested Language: Page 84, [Recommendations - 5] Policies - 9. The City, in anticipation of having to rely more heavily on water from wells, [should initiate development of] shall develop a wellhead/aquifer protection plan by 2002 in order to assure that the aquifer, and the area around the wellheads is managed with a goal of maintaining the aquifer as a source of domestic water meeting state and federal standards for potability.

4. Proposal: Adequate water facilities must be available prior to annexation

Rationale: The current uncertainty about available water supply to serve areas proposed for annexation should be avoided.  Property owners should be assured of an adequate water supply at the time of annexation of their property.

Suggested Language: Page 83, Policies - 10.  The City shall demonstrate the City’s water system is sufficient to serve the allowable uses on a parcel prior to annexation.

5. Proposal: Evaluation of water supply system should be a Policy

Rationale: The current water supply situation (City cannot meet needs of existing residents) must be addressed with appropriate planning.  One component of the current problem stems from inadequate maintenance of existing wells, reportedly due to lack of adequate funding. Water rationing next summer is a very real possible consequence of this inattention to the water supply situation.  Evaluation of the supply system and capacity, before the need exists, should be a high priority.

Suggested Language: Page 83, Policies - 11. The City shall evaluate the operation and capacity of the water system on an annual basis, and make any adjustments necessary in budgets, staffing and capital expenditures to ensure that the system is operated in an appropriate manner.

C. Stormwater Management

1.   Proposal: Stormwater Management Plan must be implemented before end of year 2002

Rationale: In recent years, many neighborhoods experienced flooding problems due to stormwater runoff from adjacent developments and/or vacant lands, causing loss of property value, costs to repair damage caused by flooding, and costs to raise homes above flood level.  Development of these properties without adequate Stormwater Management ordinances in place will cause more damage and costs.

Suggested Language: Page 86, Policies - 7.  Ordinances implementing the Stormwater Management Plan shall be adopted before the end of year 2002, and if not before that date, then prior to approval of any development which does not retain all stormwater runoff on-site.

2.   Proposal: Development should not take place in areas not addressed in Stormwater Plan, particularly area north of Munsel Lake Road

Rationale: The Stormwater Management Plan specifically excludes the area north of Munsel Lake Road.  This area is well known to contain considerable wetlands, and serves as a stormwater runoff settling, which provides some protection to the residential area (Florentine Estates) downstream.

Suggested Language: Page 86, Policies - 8.  The City shall amend the Stormwater Plan to include measures to deal with the area north of Munsel Lake Road prior to development of that area.

D. Parks, Recreation and Open Space

1.   Proposal: Conduct a Needs Analysis and Adopt  Implementing Measures for Park Lands

Rationale: The City currently has 57.3 acres of park land.  The Plan does not specifically address the issue, but based on the figures provided in the Plan, the City will be deficient in park lands even under the most conservative of growth projections by the year 2020. The Plan makes no provisions for meeting this deficiency.

Suggested Language: Page 87, Policies - 11. The City shall conduct an analysis of the projected need for park lands within the City, and develop a plan to meet those needs prior to enhancing or improving existing City parks.