Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutNCS000444_MS4 Annual Report (2023-24 FY)_20240823 (2) Line Permit BMP Measurable Goal Reporting Comments No. Year Ref. Metric (July 1 - June 30) 3 3 1 Did Lowell submit the Annual Self- YES Submitted on Friday, 4 August 2023 Assessment to NCDEQ prior to August 31 each year? 17 3 3.B.4. Did Lowell implement the selected YES Utility Funding Mechanism (6.75/ ERU; ERU = funding mechanism? 2,827 square feet) per the study conducted by Withers Ravenel NOTE: On 11 June, the Lowell City Council approved a budget that reduced the Stormwater Utility Fee to$4.75. This reflects a request from the Council to the City Manager to reduce the fee "below$5.00" as the Council felt the previous fee was too high compared to surrounding cities.The Council was advised by the Stormwater Administrator to keep the Stormwater Utility Fee at $6.75, in accordance with the data presented in the study conducted by Withers Ravenel. 32 3 5.B.2. Did Lowell spotlight stormwater YES pollutants on the City's Facebook page? 33 3 5.B.2. If so, what topics were covered? Illegal Dumping 9/13/2023; Stormwater Awareness Week 9/25/2023; Litter 9/29/2023; Nutrient Pollution 9/27/2023; Litter October 2023 and April 2024; Runoff 1/27/2024; 5/18/2024 Box Turtle post connected a cute critter to the importance of water quality; 46 3 8.B.2. Did Lowell provide Commercial YES Property Management related BMP flyers to local apartment companies? 47 3 8.B.2. If so, how many were distributed? 4 48 3 8.B.3. Did Lowell provide Landscaping YES 6 New Construction: Physical Letter to Times Oil. Management Industry BMP flyers to Emails to Tru Homes, Lennar, Stone Crest, North Point, &Choice Beverage citizens, new construction contractors and businesses? 49 3 8.B.3. If so, how many Landscaping 6 Management Industry BMP flyers were distributed? 62 3 9.B.1. Did Lowell provide handouts of YES 287 copies of"How Spiders Help us Study Water worksheets, puzzles, coloring pages, Quality" original coloring story book handed out at word finds, prize giveaways, etc to annual Treat Walk- Covers Illicit Discharge, citizens of all ages at annual festival? specifically; Riverfest 2024 was postponed until July 20, 2024 due to inclement weather. 63 3 9.B.1. If so, how many citizens were 431 287 Coloring Books/Goodie Bags given to kids. interacted with at annual festival? Assuming there was 1 adult for every 2 kids present, 430 people total. Additionally, we Dropped off 385 Coloring Books and Crayon Packs to Lowell Elementary, which serves 378 K-5 students; Riverfest 2024 was rescheduled to July 20, 2024, which is in Permit Year 4, due to inclement weather. 70 3 9.B.2. Did Lowell utilize the RSPC for cost YES WCNC- NBC Television sharing of tv/radio advertising? 143 Ads/ 156 Ads ordered = 13 Short 2,860,400 Impressions/3,307,200 ordered = 446,800 Short 778,328 Net Reach /649,754 ordered = 128,574 Over WFAE - Public Radio 45 Ads/45 Ads Ordered 225,000 Impressions 109,600 Net Reach 77 3 10.B.1. Did Lowell distribute quarterly fliers/ YES newsletters on litter/waste management? 78 3 10.B.1. If so, how many quarterly fliers/ 1,700 Fall City Newsletter's Stormwater section newsletters on litter/waste highlighted litter's impact on the South Fork and management were distributed? I the success of Riversweep. Delays in getting our printer/mailer up and running caused no more physical newsletters to be mailed, but Litter was highlighted several times in October and April in conjunction with Riversweep and Littersweep respectively. 87 3 10.B.2. Did Lowell implement the bulk waste YES https://www.lowellnc.com/bulk-pickup/ pickup policy? 88 3 10.B.2. If so, how many tons of bulk waste 15.73 were collected? 97 3 10.B.3. Did Lowell enforce the Litter YES Ordinance? 98 3 10.B.3. If so, how many Litter Ordinance 1 enforcement actions were issued? 110 3 11.B.4. Did Lowell post the MS4 Annual Self- YES https://www.lowellnc.com/documents/2023- Assessment on the web page? annual-self-assessment/ 111 3 11.B.4. Did Lowell verify all links and contact YES Updated RSPC "report pollution" link to reflect new info are current/active on the web Stormwater Admin. Contact Info on 9/26/2023 page? 125 3 12.B.1. Did Lowell maintain the YES hotline/helpline? 126 3 12.B.1. If so, was the hotline/helpline YES publicized on the city's web page? 127 3 12.B.1. If so, was the hotline/helpline YES publicized in the city's newsletter? 128 3 12.B.1. If so, was the hotline/helpline YES publicized in the city's educational fliers? 142 3 13.B.1. Did Lowell provide an annual YES 20-Apr-24 volunteer opportunity for litter sweep? 143 3 13.B.1. If so, how many annual volunteer 20 20 Volunteers picked up trash along Highway 7, at litter sweep participants were there? Bob Bolick Park, and at Edgewood Cemetery. 15 bags of trash, 4 wood pallets, and a dozen wooden plank fragments were collected. 152 3 13.B.2. Did Lowell provide an annual YES volunteer opportunity with River Sweep? 153 3 13.B.2. If so, how many annual volunteer 35 35 volunteers filled 41 garbage bags with litter, and River Sweep participants were there? collected 6 large metal objects, 2 cooking pots, 1 tire, 1 hatchet, and 1 plastic lawn chair, totaling 354 lbs. of trash removed from the South Fork River Basin. 160 3 14.B.1. Did City staff bring stormwater YES issues before the planning board to receive citizen input and factor stormwater into development decisions? 167 3 14.B.2. Did Lowell utilize the stormwater YES website for submission forms for asking a stormwater question or report a concern? 168 3 14.B.2. If so, how many online submissions Updated Form on 9/27/2023 asking a stormwater question or reporting a concern were received? 177 3 16.B.2. Did Lowell coordinate clean-up of YES 7/13/2023 at George Poston with G. Co. Parks & public areas? Rec.; Clean Up Bob Bolick During Litter Sweep 178 3 16.B.2. If so, how manty citizens participated none 0 Citzens showed up at Poston, 3 staff performed in coordinated clean-up of public clean up; areas? 179 3 16.B.2. If so, how many tons of trash were 16 lbs 3 staff worked for 2 hours and collected 2 full bags removed during coordinated clean- of trash weighing approximately 16 pounds. up of public areas? 191 3 19.B.2. Did Lowell add receiving waters to YES South Fork River per SWMP Section 3.3 Receiving the initial MS4 map? Waters 192 3 19.B.2. Did Lowell add flow directions to the YES initial MS4 map? 193 3 19.B.2. Did Lowell add SCMs and other YES structures to the initial MS4 map? 194 3 19.B.2. How many outfalls are mapped? 98 203 3 22.B.3. Did Lowell implement the IDDE YES Plan? 208 3 23.B.1. Did Lowell train staff to implement YES the IDDE ordinance, IDDE Plan and SOP? 209 3 23.B.1. If so, how many staff were trained on 11 IDDE ordinance, IDDE Plan and SOP implementation? 219 3 24.B.1 Did Lowell conduct IDDE inspections YES in accordance with the IDDE Plan? 220 3 24.B.1 If so, how many IDDE inspections Create tracking spreadsheet were performed? 221 3 24.B.1 How many confirmed illicit 3 Two were associated with improper construction discharges were documented? site practices, and one was a sewage spill from a septic tank service truck on W. Frist St. 222 3 24.B.1 How many illicit discharges were 2 Construction site issues were addressed directly remedied? with contractors. Lowell PD reviewed video recordings in an attempt to find the party responsible for the sewage spill, but no definitive culprit was found. 223 3 24.B.1 How many illicit discharge 0 Construction site issues were remedied same-day enforcement actions were issued? by the contractors. 236 3 24.B.2. Did Lowell perform dry weather YES outfall inspections? 237 3 24.B.2. If so, how many dry weather outfall 20 inspections were performed? 244 3 I 27.B.1. Did Lowell implement a quarterly YES I training program for Public Works staff to identify and report illicit discharges? 245 3 27.B.1. If so, how many Public Works staff 11 were trained to identify and report illicit discharges? 252 3 28.B.2. Did Lowell create fact sheets for YES illicit discharges for employee common areas? 253 3 28.B.2. If so, how many fact sheet posters 2 for illicit discharges for employee common areas were displayed? 262 3 31.B.1. Did Lowell train municipal staff on YES proper handling of construction site runoff control complaints? 263 3 31.B.1. If so, how many staff were trained on 12 proper handling of construction site runoff control complaints? 269 3 33.B.2. Did Lowell implement an ordinance YES requiring construction site operators to control waste? 276 3 34.B.3. Did Lowell distribute waste YES management requirement fact sheets during pre-construction meetings? 277 3 34.B.3. If so, how many waste management 4 requirement fact sheets were distributed during pre-construction meetings? 292 3 35 Did Lowell track the number of low- YES density and high-density plan reviews performed? 293 3 35 If so, how many low density project 0 reviews were performed? 294 3 35 If so, how many high density project 6 Per Jon Boerger with Gaston County Natural reviews were performed? Resources 295 3 35 If so, how many low density project 0 reviews were approved? 296 3 35 If so, how many high density project 1 Per Jon Boerger with Gaston County Natural reviews were approved? Resources 309 3 35 Did Lowell maintain a current YES Inventory includes SCM type, parcel number, inventory of low-density projects and physical address, XY coordinates, property owner, constructed SCMs, including SCM property owner address, last inspection date, and type or low-density acreage, enforcement action (if any) location, last inspection date and I type of enforcement action (if any)? 314 3 35 How many high-density, non- 6 Of the 6 inspected, 2 had defficieinces that are still municipally owned SCM inspections in the process of being remedied as of June, 30, were performed? 2024 319 3 35 How many low-density inspections 0 were performed? 324 3 35 How many post-construction 0 enforcement actions were issued? 343 3 42.B.5. Did Lowell update the municipal YES Lowell added four new nonindustrial facilities to PPGH industrial facility inventory the PPGH inventory. These include a disused dye with new or closed facilities? plant, two parking lots, and an indoor recreation center. 347 3 43.B.2. Did Lowell conduct annual PPGH YES inspections for high stormwater pollution potential, once every two years inspections for medium stormwater pollution potential, and once every permit term for low stormwater pollution potential municipal facilities? 348 3 43.B.2. If so, how many high stormwater 3 Waste Water Treatment Plant, Disused Dye Plant, pollution potential inspections were Public Works conducted? 349 3 43.B.2. If so, how many medium stormwater No pollution potential inspections were conducted? 350 3 43.B.2. If so, how many low stormwater 7 Former Boys &Girls Club, Gravel lot next to pollution potential inspections were McCord, Parking lot next to Lowell Smyre Church, conducted? City Hall, Bob Bolick Park, Community Center, Harold Rankin Park 362 3 47.B.3. Did Lowell provide PPGH training to YES new hires? 363 3 47.B.3. If so, how many new hires received 11 PPGH training? 376 3 45.B.1. Did Lowell train municipal staff on YES spill response? 377 3 45.B.1. If so, how many staff were trained on 11 spill response? 378 3 45.B.4. Did Lowell train VFD on spill YES response? 379 3 45.B.4. If so, how many VFD staff were 20 trained on spill response? 392 3 48.B.3. Did Lowell perform stormwater YES collection system inspections? 393 3 48.B.3. If so, how many stormwater 4 Lauren Woods, 2 at Boys &Girls, Catawba Run collection system inspections were needs baskets removed, Holbrook performed? 398 3 49.B.1. Did Lowell create an inventory and NO Lowell currently doesn't have any municipal SCMs. map of municpal SCMs? 399 3 49.B.1. If so, how many SCMs are in the 0 inventory? 414 3 51.B.1 Did Lowell staff maintain core, right- YES Thomas held license until his retirement May 2. of-way, and ornamental pest control Thad and Derek now hold these certifications. applicator certifications? 415 3 51.B.1 If so, how many certified core, right- 2 032-5685 Derrick Stamey, expires 12/31/24 of-way, and ornamental pest control 032-10107 Wendall"Thad" Buchanan, expires applicator staff does Lowell have? 12/31/24 _ 421 3 51.B.3. Did Lowell provide staff training in YES pollution prevention and chemical use, storage and handling training? 422 3 51.B.3. If so, how many staff were trained in 11 pollution prevention and chemical use, storage and handling? 429 3 51.6.4. Did Lowell require City contractors to NO All pesticide application done by Lowell staff. provide NC Pesticide License for inspection? 438 3 53.B.2. Did Lowell perform inspections of YES municipal vehicle and equipment cleaning maintenance facilities? 439 3 53.B.2. If so, how many municipal vehicle 1 Public Works is the only facility that meets this and equipment cleaning description. All vehicles in Lowell's fleet, including maintenance facility inspections but not limited to: Police Patrol Cars, Parks & Rec. were performed? Truck, and City Hall Ford Bronco were inspected for fluid leaks. All Public Works Vehicles, including but not limited to Trash Trucks, Dump Trucks, Pick Up Trucks, Back Hoes, Tractors, and Pull-Behind Motorized Equipment, were inspected for fluid leaks and the presence of a spill kit. 440 3 53.B.3. Did Lowell reinspect any deficient NO No deficiencies noted. municipal vehicle and equipment cleaning maintenance facilities to ensure corrective actions were implemented? 441 3 53.B.3. If so, how many reinspections of 0 N/A deficient municipal vehicle and equipment cleaning maintenance facilities were performed? 454 3 54.B.2. Did Lowell implement a SOP with a YES schedule of leaf collection, gutter blowing, and street cleaning and standardized documentation? 455 3 54.B.2. How many cubic yards of leaves 650 Per Thomas, after the end of leaf season. were collected? 456 3 54.B.2. How many street miles were swept? 508 Note, vacuumed not swept. FW: Payment Confirmation 0 Lisa Nolen To 0 Jamie Watkins Start your reply all with: Thank you! Here is the receipt. Received,thank you. I O Feedback 101 W. First Street Lowell, NC 28098 www.lowellnc.corn ---Original Message---- From: do not reply@ncdenr.gov<do not reply@ncdenr.gov> Sent: Thursday, September 28, 2023 7:53 AM To: Lisa Nolen <Inolen@lowellnc.com> Subject: Payment Confirmation Thank you for your recent payment to NC DEQ Stormwater. Payment Application: NC DEQ Stormwater ePayment Payment Status: Payment completed successfully. Confirmation Number: 23092806209481 Payment Date: 09/28/2023 Billing Address: City of Lowell 101 W 1ST ST LOWELL, NC 28098 7048243518 Account Number: x3391 Routing Number: 084000026 Account Type: Checking Payment Amount: 860.00 USD Total Amount: 860.00 USD Reference Information: 2023PR008332,NCS000444,Lowell city-Small MS4,City of Lowell,$860.00 DO NOT REPLY DIRECTLY TO THIS EMAIL. Memorandum of Understanding for Services Provided by the Regional Stormwater Partnership of the Carolinas This Memorandum of Understanding by and between the undersigned local government (Local Government) and the Regional Stormwater Partnership of the Carolinas (RSPC) pertains to the services provided by RSPC. WITNESSETH: WHEREAS, RSPC and the stormwater programs of(undersigned) local governments have the same basic mission of providing stormwater outreach, education, and other activities to fulfill requirements in NPDES MS4 permits; and WHEREAS, RSPC has excelled in providing direct education, mass media services, and other related services to its partner communities, large and small, in multiple watersheds; NOW, THEREFORE, the following services will be provided: 1. RSPC will assist the Local Government with the following education/outreach tasks during the service term: A. Provide physical and digital outreach materials to Local Government and target audiences that describe target pollutants and their likely sources and impacts on water quality B. Make available to Local Government unlimited use of,and access to,original and compiled educational materials on the RSPC member website and/or shared drive, to include digital educational materials and templates,recorded workshops, staff training videos, and other resources useful for educating a variety of audiences in various settings C. Coordinate at least annually with Local Government stormwater staff and/or relevant educational contacts (as requested by the Local Government) to schedule and conduct stormwater education activities that correlate with NC Essential Science Standards or provide opportunities for citizen participation,which may include stream cleanups, citizen science activities, or similar efforts,RSPC will coordinate with the RSPC Local Government representative prior to contacting any formal educators in the member jurisdiction D, Maintain an Internet website conveying RSPC's mission to increase awareness of stormwater pollution E. Provide mechanisms on the RSPC website for public reporting of stormwater issues to the proper Local Government staff Local Government MOU with the RSPC July 25,2022 Page 1 of 4 2. RSPC will assist the Local Government with the following mass media services: A. Coordinate outreach campaigns, as agreed upon by the RSPC board and members, that promote regional stormwater awareness and target pollutants that local governments share, administered by local service providers whose coverage includes the Local Government constituents, which will include the following or what is similarly available with RSPC board approval: 1. TV Media spots that include interviews with RSPC representatives on important stormwater issues agreed upon by member local governments 2. TV and radio ads that promote reporting of stormwater pollution 3. A digital awareness campaign that includes clickable"report pollution" ads on various news websites B. Provide unlimited Local Government use of,and access to, digital media and other materials for use on Local Government's website and in public buildings, parks,etc. 3. RPSC will assist the Local Government with the following workshops and municipal staff training services: A. Coordinate annually with Local Government stormwater staff and/or relevant contacts (as requested by the Local Government) to schedule and conduct stormwater tech talks and workshops to provide opportunities for various audiences such as municipal staff, local contractors, developers, inspectors, and local elected officials to engage with local stormwater management professionals and learn about stormwater issues and surface water quality concerns. B. Make available to Local Government unlimited use of, and access to, original and compiled municipal staff training materials on the RSPC member website and/or shared drive including topics such as municipal good housekeeping & pollution prevention, municipal spill response, and illicit discharge detection & reporting. 4. RSPC will provide the setting for local governments to share information and ideas to address stormwater issues on a regional level. 5. RSPC will provide additional services, as mutually agreed upon by Rising Solutions and the RSPC board and its members, which help fulfill additional requirements in members' NPDES MS4 permits. Those services and the ones described above in 1-4 will be detailed in an annual services agreement. Local Government may use the tasks above to help comply with NPDES MS4 stormwater requirements. Local Government's execution of this MOU signifies an understanding that any one of the service assignments listed above may only partially fulfill its requirements during an audit by Local Government MOU with the RSPC July 25,2022 Page 2 of 4 NC DEQ.Accordingly, Local Government acknowledges that it is ultimately responsible for meeting all federal and state laws, rules and regulations related thereto.The Local Government permittee and RSPC share responsibility for determining how specific service objectives can be cooperatively achieved,with the understanding that RSPC supplements local efforts to comply with regulatory requirements. The Local Government is highly encouraged to send one or more representatives to RSPC's quarterly meetings to collaborate on strategies. The RSPC will make every reasonable attempt to proactively address the objectives in the Local Government's community and will update the RSPC Local Government representative each quarter to offer opportunities for discussion and collaboration. The Local Government agrees to pay membership dues to RPSC based on a dues structure adopted by RSPC, voted on by RSPC Local Governments and incorporated herein by reference in Attachment A.The period of performance under,and the term of,this Agreement will begin on July 1,2022 and will conclude on June 30, 2027. The Local Government reserves the right to unilaterally terminate this Agreement for cause or convenience (in the case of cause, immediately, and in the case of convenience, upon thirty (30) calendar days' written notice), whereupon RSPC will only be entitled to prorated compensation for services properly rendered up to the date of termination. RSPC will provide an annual report by August 31 (after fiscal year end) with relevant data needed by members for their annual reports to NC DEQ to include regional outreach and education numbers for both mass media and direct education/outreach and other data depending on services provided. Interim metrics can be provided as needed. Attachment A: Tier Population Dues FY23 Municipalities 1 <5,000 $750 China Grove, Dallas, Lake Park, Landis, Lowell, Town of Stanley, Ranlo 2 5,000— 10,000 $1,500 Bessemer City, Cramerton 3 10,001 —25,000 $2,500 Belmont, Harrisburg, Mt. Holly, Shelby 4 25,001 —50,000 $4,000 Monroe_,Mooresville, Statesville 5 50,001 — 100,000 $5,000 Gastonia, Gaston County, Kannapolis 6 100,001 —250,000 $12,000 Mecklenburg Co &Towns 7 >250,0001 $17,500 Charlotte (Signature Page to Follow) Local Government MOU with the RSPC July 25,2022 Page 3 of 4 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, both the Local Government and RPSC have caused this Agreement to be executed by their chief executive officers, all as of the day and year first above written, Name of Government Entity: (7, Gt/l!9f.° ATTEST: r ByL§ Date: � b�(a 3 Official with Signi Authority: (Sign tur By: 11Ct 6 l'eA; Title:Ylk-CUI'err— (Typed/Printed Name) , ATTEST:REGIONAL STORMWATER PARTNERSHIP OF THE CAROLINAS 9/21/2023 By: Date: Craig er, RSPC Chair Local Government MOU with the R5PC July 25,2022 Page 4 of 4