NCS000444_2022 MS4 Assessment_20220929

NCS000444_LOWELL 2022 ANNUAL SELF ASSESSMENT
Line No.
Permit Year (July 1 - June 30)
BMP Ref.
Measurable Goal
Reporting Metric
Comments
1
1
1
Did Lowell submit the Annual Self -Assessment to NCDEQ prior to August 31 each year?
YES
9
1
3.B.1.
Did Lowell Complete a fiscal gap analysis?
YES
May 2021 - Stormwater utility study completed; 7-1-21 Established
stormwater fee
10
1
3.B.1.
If so, what was the monetary value of the fiscal gap?
YES
Prior to 7-1-21, 100% gap. Prior to this date, stormwater was funded
completely through the general fund for the City of Lowell.
11
1
3.13.2.
Did Lowell determine available funding mechanisms and evaluate options?
YES
Adopted fee.
12
1
3.B.3.
Did Lowell select a funding mechanism?
YES
6.75 / ERU; ERU = 2,827 square feet
13
1
If so, what is the program funding mechanism?
UTILITY
6.75 / ERU; ERU = 2,827 square feet
18
1
4.B.1.
Did Lowell participate in Stormwater outreach programs in local schools?
YES
19
1
4.B.1.
If so, how many students attended the stormwater outreach programs in local schools?
198
24
1
4.13.3.
Did Lowell partner with RSPC and develop multiple handouts of BMPs?
YES
25
1
4.13.3.
If so, was handout developed?
YES
6 different BMP handouts were developed.
28
1
5.B.2.
Did Lowell spotlight stormwater pollutants on the City's Facebook page?
YES
29
1
5.13.2.
If so, what topics were covered?
Tips for reducing stormwater pollution (check storm drains often, natural areas
and gardens around your property, pick up after your pets, washing your car at
a carwash facility); what is a stormwater management plan; Vehicle
Maintencance BMP; bulk pickup information; riversweep / river clean up; and
littersweep; litter clean up
38
1
6.B.1.
Did Lowell Maintain a list of past violations and where likely relative violations may exist?
YES
Canvasing began in the downtown district. One (1) Illicet discharge discovered
at Grits and Greens resturant.
39
1
6.13.1.
If so, did Lowell target violators with specific educational materials?
YES
42
1
7.13.1.
Did Lowell post Stormwater education information on the City's social media account(s) targeting the residential and the
business communities?
YES
43
1
7.13.1.
If so, how many social media engagements were there?
15 Posts
150 Likes; 19 Comments; 21 Shares
44
1
8.13.1.
Did Lowell provide food industry BMP flyers to local restaurants and waste collectors?
NO
Now planned for year 2 due to staff turnover.
45
1
8.13.1.
If so, how many were distributed?
54
1
8.13.6.
Did Lowell provide vehicle maintenance operations BMP flyers to residents and auto repair businesses?
YES
Feburary 1, 2021 - Newsletter
55
1
8.13.6.
If so, how many vehicle maintenance operations BMP flyers were distributed?
1,900
58
1
9.13.1.
Did Lowell provide handouts of worksheets, puzzles, coloring pages, word finds, prize giveaways, etc to citizens of all ages at
annual festival?
YES
Riverfest 2021 on 08/07/2021
59
1
9.13.1.
If so, how many citizens were interacted with at annual festival?
138
Handed out 70 packets and brochures.
68
1
9.13.2.
Did Lowell utilize the RSPC for cost sharing of tv/radio advertising?
YES
539 Total (90 radio ads and 459 tv ads)
73
1
10.6.1.
Did Lowell distribute quarterly fliers / newsletters on litter / waste management?
YES
Quarterly spotlight on stormwater
74
1
10.6.1.
If so, how many quarterly fliers / newsletters on litter / waste management were distributed?
5,700
3 Quarterly newsletters X 200 Businesses = 600; 3 Quarterly newletters X 1,700
Homeowners = 5,100
83
1
10.6.2.
Did Lowell implement the bulk waste pickup policy?
YES
84
1
10.6.2.
If so, how many tons of bulk waste were collected?
57
93
1
10.6.3.
Did Lowell enforce the Litter Ordinance?
YES
94
1
10.6.3.
If so, how many Litter Ordinance enforcement actions were issued?
6
103
1
11.13.1.
Did Lowell establish the Stormwater Webpage?
YES
104
1
11.13.2.
Did Lowell post the Stormwater ordinance and erosion control ordinance on the webpage?
YES
105
1
11.13.3.
Did Lowell post links to EPA, NCDEQ, RSPC and other relative websites on the webpage?
PARTIAL
Still need to add EPA and NCDEQ links.
106
1
11.13.4.
Did Lowell post the MS4 Annual Self -Assessment on the web page?
YES
107
1
11.13.4.
Did Lowell verify all links and contact info are current/active on the web page?
YES
116
1
11.13.5.
Did Lowell post industry BMP flyers for target audiences on the web page?
YES
117
1
12.13.1.
Did Lowell maintain the hotline/helpline?
YES
118
1
12.13.1.
If so, was the hotline/helpline publicized on the city's web page?
YES
119
1
12.13.1.
If so, was the hotline/helpline publicized in the city's newsletter?
YES
120
1
12.13.1.
If so, was the hotline/helpline publicized in the city's educational fliers?
YES
137
1
12.13.2.
Did Lowell establish appropriate staff contact(s) to field inquiries regarding stormwater education, outreach and
complaints?
YES

NCS000444_LOWELL 2022 ANNUAL SELF ASSESSMENT
138
1
12.13.3.
Did Lowell train stormwater education and hotline contact(s) in general stormwater awareness, complaint protocols and
appropriate contacts for referral of typical stormwater issues?
YES
139
1
12.13.3.
If so, how many staff were trained in general stormwater awareness, complaint protocols and appropriate contacts for
referral of typical stormwater issues?
2
148
1
13.13.2.
Did Lowell provide an annual volunteer opportunity with River Sweep?
YES
11/6/2021
149
1
13.13.2.
If so, how many annual volunteer River Sweep participants were there?
19
158
1
14.B.1.
Did City staff bring stormwater issues before the planning board to receive citizen input and factor stormwater into
development decisions?
YES
Credits consideration.
163
1
14.13.2.
Did Lowell utilize the stormwater website for submission forms for asking a stormwater question or report a concern?
YES
164
1
14.B.2.
If so, how many submissions were there?
16
173
1
16.B.1.
Did Lowell identify areas that could be cleaned up by volunteers?
YES
11/01/21 & 11/02/21
186
1
18.B.1.
Did Lowell conduct a workshop for HOA's to better understand their maintenance agreements they have on SCMs?
YES
Micky Bumgardner from Bumgardner Management (River Falls)
189
1
19.B.1.
Did Lowell select a consultant to perform initial MS4 map creation and mapping?
YES
***Per authorization from Jeanette Powell , the city hired a GIS Analyst to
complete this BMP.***
199
1
21.13.1.
Did Lowell review City Code of Ordinances to add an IDDE ordinance and update to maintain legal authority?
YES
Added to LDO, Article 19.19 on page 19
200
1
22.13.1.
Did Lowell develop a written IDDE Plan?
PARTIAL
This document is currently under development. We plan to submit this
document to DEQ in October 2022
201
1
22.13.2.
What date did Lowell submit the written IDDE Plan to DEQ for approval?
NO
258
1
31.13.1.
Did Lowell train municipal staff on proper handling of construction site runoff control complaints?
YES
November 18th, 2021.
259
1
31.13.1.
If so, how many staff were trained on proper handling of construction site runoff control complaints?
8 participants
282
1
35
Did Lowell track the number of low -density and high -density plan reviews performed?
YES
283
1
35
If so, how many low density project reviews were performed?
0
284
1
35
If so, how many high density project reviews were performed?
1
285
1
35
If so, how many low density project reviews were approved?
n/a
286
1
35
If so, how many high density project reviews were approved?
1
307
1
35
Did Lowell maintain a current inventory of low -density projects and constructed SCMs, including SCM type or low -density
acreage, location, last inspection date and type of enforcement action (if any)?
YES
312
1
35
How many high density non -municipally owned SCM inspections were performed?
6
County
317
1
35
How many low -density inspections were performed?
0
County
322
1
35
How many post -construction enforcement actions were issued?
0
County
327
1
38.13.1.
Did Lowell amend the interlocal agreement between City of Lowell and Gaston County to provide City -specific numbers to
document MS4 Permit requirements?
NO
Gaston County wanted to hold off until merger with the City of Gastonia
Building inspections was completed. Will revisit in permit year 2
328
1
41.6.1.
Did Lowell revise the City of Lowell Code of Ordinances Chapter 94 (Litter) to include pet waste disposal criteria?
NO
Ordinance adopted on September 13th, 2022 for permit year 2.
330
1
42.13.1.
Did Lowell create a list of existing city facilities that have the potential of generating polluted stormwater runoff?
YES
331
1
42.13.1.
If so, how many municipal facilities are in the PPGH facility inventory?
8
Public Works, Wastewater Treatment (WWTP), City Hall, Police Dept,
Community Center, Bob Bolick Park, and Harold Rankin Park, Chemical Plant
334
1
42.13.3.
Did Lowell identify and obtain industrial stormwater permits for subject city -owned industrial facilities?
NO
No. Per section 3.7 Table 5, City of Lowell has no MPDES Stormwater
Permitted Indistrial Facilities.
335
1
42.13.3.
If so, how many municipal industrial facilities were permitted?
1
341
1
42.13.5.
Did Lowell update the municipal PPGH industrial facility inventory with new or closed facilities?
YES
368
1
45.13.1.
Did Lowell train municipal staff on spill response?
YES
369
1
45.13.1.
If so, how many staff were trained on spill response?
8
370
1
45.B.4.
Did Lowell train VFD on spill response?
NO
Lowell VFD already has Standard Operating Procedures for spill response. Staff
will schedule joint training in permit year two.
371
1
45.B.4.
If so, how many VFD staff were trained on spill response?
0
410
1
51.13.1
Did Lowell staff maintain core, right-of-way, and ornamental pest control applicator certifications?
YES
411
1
51.13.1
If so, how many certified core, right-of-way, and ornamental pest control applicator staff does Lowell have?
1
Thomas Shrewbury, Public Work Director
427
1
51.6.4.
Did Lowell require City contractors to provide NC Pesticide License for inspection?
NO
Not Applicable.
433
1
53.B.1.
Did Lowell develop an inspection checklist for municipal vehicle and equipment cleaning maintenance facilities?
YES
450
1
54.6.1.
Did Lowell develop a SOP with a schedule of leaf collection, gutter blowing, and street cleaning and standardized
documentation?
YES