TOWN OF GREENWICH Annual Department Operational Plan (FY )

Transcription

1 TOWN OF GREENWICH Annual Department Operational Plan (FY ) 1. Department: Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency 2. Divisions: N/A 3. Department Mission Statement: The Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency (the Agency hereafter) is a regulatory authority comprised of seven members and three alternates, each appointed by the Representative Town Meeting upon nomination by the Board of Selectmen. The Agency acts by authorization and requirement of CT General Statutes and local ordinance. Through an orderly application process, the Agency advances its mission to protect, preserve and enhance the functional value of our lakes, ponds, swamps, and marshes that serve as a critical resource to the recharge and renovation of our surface water, ground water, and the control of flooding related to storm events. 4. Department Key Services: A. Review and Technical Guidance involving Construction Project Development Conduct detailed inspection and evaluation of proposed development projects with the purpose of providing informed recommendations to the Wetlands Agency. Provide regular comment and guidance as mandated by Connecticut Statute to the Planning and Zoning Commission for activities requiring Subdivision approval, Special Exception, and Municipal Improvements. Openly communicate and coordinate with regulatory departments responsible for the management and control of stormwater and erosion measures. B. Technical Assistance to Town Departments Regularly contribute professional opinions to the Department of Public Works in connection with management of upland development and stormwater controls affecting wetland or watercourse areas. Actively identify Town-wide drainage deficiencies affecting areas subject to Agency regulation, and offer solutions for improvement in accordance with the Stormwater Phase II Protocol.

2 Participate in the development of policies, strategies, and capital projects prepared by Parks and Recreation, Department of Public Works, the Health Department, Planning and Zoning and the Law Department. C. Community Outreach Sponsor and participate in forums assembled by Community Groups, Professional Societies, and the development community to assist with the public s understanding of wetlands and the Agency Regulations. Volunteer strategies and design techniques aimed at minimizing the effects of development on wetland resources and the larger watershed. Promote techniques of smart growth and sustainable development within the municipality. Actively participate in the study and evaluation of viable solutions designed to improve flood affected communities. D. Enforcement Oversee site compliance for development projects authorized by the Wetlands Agency. May levy fines for violation of Agency Regulations. Ensure all on-going construction adheres to the Agency Regulations and minimize the potential for impacts on wetland and watercourse systems. Assist the Building Department and Planning and Zoning staff with the management and control of problematic site development. 5. Department Goals for Fiscal : Departmental Digital Conversion Initiative June 2011 Increase availability of site specific archived records in an easily accessible digital format. Reduced dependence on paper files, which may be lost and damaged over time. Increased office floor area created by reduced need for files to store paper project files. Improved public access for Agency files, through web portals that may be accessed from home and/or professional offices. Detailed inventory of site data layers on the Town Geographic Information System. Continue to revise fee schedule with overall intent both to (i) better conform fees to work actually expended by IWWA staff in reviewing applications and (ii) achieve budgetneutral status for Agency. NOTE: The Agency has entered its second phase of its digital conversion initiative. Prior capital funding has allowed for the digitizing of Agency project files for years 1974 through This information has been converted into data layers in G.I.S that are now available to department staff for their assistance with the general public. With the assistance of funds made available through the Town s document imaging contract, the department has successfully converted paper files for years into a digital format. The Agency will seek to gain additional dollars necessary to

3 both convert microfiche files for project years as well as years following Ultimately, converted data will be made available to residents and professionals through a web portal that may be accessed from home. Additionally, in an effort to reduce costs on taxpayers, the Agency has ensured funding shall exist in future years through a series of regulation amendments that require all applicants to provide project files in a digital format. Those failing to provide a digital submission will be assessed a $250 additional fee: the cost required for the Agency to contract a vendor to complete the conversion per project. Professional Development and Resident Outreach July 2011 Improve upon departmental outreach to the regulated public. Introduce the Agency Regulations to homeowners and prospective buyers with parcel containing regulated areas. Train and educate land use and development professionals on alternative building practices. Promote State supported means of identifying and eradicating invasive plant species. Opportunity to interface directly with the public and exchange alternative development practices aimed at reducing stormwater demand and disruption of existing drainage patterns. NOTE: The effort is the continuation of a highly successful goal that was introduced by the Agency during the previous fiscal year. The objective has improved overall understanding of the regulations and appears to have increased detection and reporting of unauthorized activities. The department will work with the Department of Public Works to expand the program and develop mutually beneficial awareness and training seminars aimed at improving stormwater control through the sensible development of residential and commercial properties. Stormwater Control Strategy September 2011 Implement a strict maintenance program of storage units, catch basins and similar stormwater control receptacles on residential, commercial and institutional parcels. Collaborate with the Department of Public Works to identify impaired wetland systems that may be improved to aid in localized flood storage mitigation. Secure cost estimates for future capital projects aimed at providing an inventory and assessment of wetland and watercourse systems in Town. Improve community awareness on the affects of development and best practice methods that may be employed to soften the impact of construction and landscape expansion. NOTE: Through the permit process, the Agency has commenced an inventory of parcels required to provide the department regular maintenance reports of installed drainage structures. Attention to this area ensures an active effort to maintain these privately held control units is regularly meeting its designed intent. The department will also continue to work closely with the Department of Public Works to establish cooperative programs aimed at improving, where possible, stream flow hydraulics and overall watershed improvements. 5A Capital Projects to be Completed FY (List in priority order. For each project note): None reported 5B Capital Projects to be Continued FY (List in priority order. For each project note): None reported

4 5C Goals - Capital Projects to be (a) Completed, (b) Continued, (c) Planned or (d) Proposed during Fiscal 11-12: The Agency has not submitted a capital project for FY 12-13: however, review of said budget will reflect a sizable increase for microfilming (219) in the combined Land Use account (174). The increase from $15,000 to $60,000 reflects approximately $40,000 required to convert microfilm and microfiche files between to a digital format. The remaining $20,000 shall be allocated to the conversion of project years 2003 and 2004 and will remain the total requested per annum after said fiscal year. 5D Brief Summary of Overall Capital Project Status: 6. Department Accomplishments: The department s renewed commitment to public outreach during the previous fiscal year was a tremendous success. Through a series of four training seminars, one of which included a Greenwich Continuing Education class dedicated to wetland regulation awareness, the Agency was able to educate more than 200 residents, realtors and land use professionals. The success of the program has resulted in a continued effort to provide and expand upon educational outreach designed to improve knowledge and gain community input from the regulated public. During the previous fiscal year, the Agency proudly implemented a progressive fee schedule that appropriately shifted the costs of operations and staff services from the larger tax base to those utilizing the services of the department. This fiscally responsible approach has provided a greater revenue source to the department that, over time, is expected to completely fund the total cost of Agency operations. The department will continue to make adjustments as appropriate to once again become budget neutral. The department was pleased to announce that 235 project sites were closed during the previous fiscal year which resulted in the return of almost $920,000 in cash performance bonds. The Agency was also happy to report that the bonds in the possession of the Agency for more than 10 years have been reduced to 158 sites or a total of $569,000. This figure is down from 2.4 million dollars in In keeping with the focus on education, Agency members scheduled two internal planning sessions that were held to analyze existing policies and practices applied during the permit process. Members also performed post construction site visits to evaluate the finished projects effect on adjacent wetland and watercourse areas. Staff identified more than 32 sites that commenced work prior to the consent of the Agency, which resulted in an additional $27,000 in revenue.

5 7. Performance Measurements Develop and promote strategies designed to reduce the effects of land disturbance on the surrounding community. Perform quarterly outreach programs to real estate firms, community groups, parcel owners, and land use professionals as a means of promoting the Regulations and obtaining public input regarding operational planning. Adopt and promote all Agency applicable strategies put forth in the 2008 Plan of Conservation and Development. Enhance information made available on the Department s web page. Promote concepts and recommendations encouraged in the 2004 Connecticut Stormwater Quality Manual and amended Greenwich Stormwater Drainage Manual. Ensure 100% of applications submitted for permit are presented to the Agency within five weeks of submission. Process 90% of administrative approvals (Agent Approvals) within five business days and 60% of application for permit within one Agency meeting. 8. Other Key Department Issues: N/A 9. Department Table of Organization LAND USE Planning & Zoning Commission 171 Conservation Commission 172 Inland, Wetlands & Watercourses Agency 173 Town Planner 171 Conservation Director 172 IWWA Director 173 Professional P & Z Staff 171 Professional Conservation Staff 172 Professional IWWA Staff 173 Applications Coordinator (FT) 174 Land Use Technician (FT) 174 Land Use Clerical Staff 174

6 10. Authorized/Proposed Number of Positions 173 Account Fiscal Year Number of Full Time Employees Number of Part Time Employees Number of Temporary Employees Total # of Part Time & Temp Hours 2009/ N/A 2010/ , / , /2013 proposed , Department Financial Summary: A - Expenses 173 Account Fiscal Year Budget Actual 2008/ 2009 $379, 796 $353, /2010 $470,371 $441, /2011 $458,950 $448, /2012 $472,405 Xxxxxxx 2012/2013 proposed $498,355 Xxxxxxx

7 B - Revenues 173 Account Fiscal Year Budget Actual 2008/ 2009 $521,675 $326, /2010 $447,700 $432, /2011 $316,850 $375, /2012 $339,195 Xxxxxxx 2012/2013 proposed $444,420 Xxxxxxx