Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District

Wet Weather Initiative

Meeting Minutes

February 27, 2003, 9:30 a.m.
DOES Conference Room A

Item No. 1 - Call To Order

The meeting was called to order at 9:35 a.m. by Tom Ryther.

Item No. 2 - Introduction

Those present gave brief introductions. The following were present:

Brian Bohl, Tom Brankamp, Rob Caudill, Cory R. Chadwick, Nancy Ellwood, Bret Henninger, Bob Jansen, Anne Lyon, Jim Rozelle, Tom Ryther, Holly Utrata-Halcomb, and LuAnn Winkle.

Item No. 3 - Suggested Agenda Changes

No updates or changes were made to the agenda.

Item No. 4 - Hamilton County Stormwater District Update

Jim Rozelle gave an update on the Hamilton County Stormwater District as follows:

Out of 50 local governments, only 5 opted out (Forest Park, Springdale, City of Harrison, Loveland, and Reading).
45 of 50 is very good.
Quite surprised that Reading did not join. Reading thinks they may be able to do cheaper on their own.
Park District is sending in their own Phase II permit as a special district.
Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) contracted with a consultant out of Columbus to do statewide Plan for Phase II permit.

Item No. 5 - Complete Wet Weather Initiative Mission, Goals, Action Steps

MISSION

WWIN members suggested the following revisions (bolded or strikeout) for the Mission Statement.

DRAFT 2 3

WET WEATHER INITIATIVE LONG-RANGE PLANS

The following revised Mission was adopted on January 30, 2003 February 27, 2003:

"To provide a forum for effective management of stormwater throughout Hamilton County in order to reduce the impacts of pollution on surface and groundwater resources and to minimize the effects of erosion and flood damage to on structures, streambanks, and riparian corridors."

GOALS AND ACTION STEPS

The following revisions (bolded or strikeout) were suggested for the Goals. All periods were deleted below.

GOAL NO. 1: TO SUPPORT EFFECTIVE STORMWATER MANAGEMENT THROUGHOUT HAMILTON COUNTY

Action No. 1: Support the development and implementation of NPDES Phase II stormwater management plans throughout the County

Action No. 2: Seek formal representation on the Public Advisory Committee of the Hamilton County Stormwater Management District

Action No. 3: Support amendment of Ohio Revised Code 6117 to permit better enforcement of stormwater regulations

Action No. 4: Support watershed modeling to improve land use management decisions

Action No. 5: Recommend the utilization use of environmental and hydrological expertise experts by the County and other jurisdictions

Action No. 6: Identify current status of groundwater protection efforts

GOAL NO. 2: TO ENHANCE STORMWATER DATA COLLECTION AND CENTRALIZATION

Action No. 1: Promote the development of a centralized system for water quality data collected throughout Hamilton County

Action No. 2: Promote the creation of a centralized system for processing flooding complaints throughout Hamilton County

Action No. 3: Recommend that the Hamilton County Stormwater District move up the establishment of their stormwater hotline to in year one

(added) Encourage local efforts to monitor surface and groundwater quality

GOAL NO. 3: TO (added "To") INCREASE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF STORMWATER

IMPACTS AND MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES (added "principles")

Action No. 1: Provide an educational forum for to update communities to receive updates with respect to the NPDES Phase II Stormwater Regulations and the activities of the Hamilton County Stormwater District

Action No. 2: Assist the Hamilton County Stormwater District in the implementation of the public information and outreach requirements of the NPDES Phase II plan

Action No. 3: Support the posting of watershed signs on county roads and storm drain labels

OTHER SUGGESTIONS

At a later date, the WWIN committee will discuss as an action item evaluating Best Management Practices for effectiveness. The WWIN agreed to defer this action to a later time in program.

William Seitz introduced House Bill 479 requiring scientific data to support water quality standards and is recommending that only professional data is acceptable. It was mentioned that voluntary monitoring may not be included in the HB 479.

The Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) wants everyone who has a website (e.g., Hamilton County Department of Environmental Services (DOES) website, www.hcdoes.org) to develop links to SWCD's site (www.hcswcd.org). Organizational websites should remember to include a link

to SWCD's website allowing access to past WWIN minutes and other information.

Nancy Ellwood will check if domain name is available for WWIN and report back at the next WWIN meeting.

Nancy and Holly Utrata-Halcomb will work on a press release for the WWIN's long-range plan.

The WWIN is a voluntary group of collaborating partners providing a forum for effective stormwater management throughout Hamilton County.

Holly suggested she not be the Chair of Education Subcommittee because of the executed Memorandum of Understanding with the Hamilton County Engineers on providing education component of Phase II permit requirements. WWIN committee acknowledges that Holly may look-like she has a conflict of interest. Rob Caudill was asked to be the next Chair of Education Subcommittee and will accept the recommendation.

Bret Henninger will join the Data Collection Committee.

MOTION

Anne Lyon moved and Cory R. Chadwick seconded a motion that WWIN formally adopt the goals and action steps. All members unanimously concurred with this motion (copy attached).

Item No. 6 - Establish Regular Meeting Dates for 2003

Anne moved and Cory seconded that WWIN will meet on a bi-monthly basis on the fourth Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Hamilton County DOES in Conference Room A starting on April 24, 2003. Upcoming meetings would be June 26th, August 28th, October 23rd, and December 25th (reschedule, if needed). All members unanimously concurred with this motion. In October 2003, the WWIN committee will further discuss whether to meet in December 2003 for the year-end event. Thank you very much, Cory, for the use of the DOES facility!

It was suggested that each subcommittee convene prior to the next regularly scheduled WWIN meeting.

Each subcommittee will come to the next full WWIN committee meeting scheduled for April 24, 2003 with measurable steps to accomplish long-range goals.

Holly gave an update concerning the Ohio Stormwater Task Force (OSWTF) which met last Tuesday, February 18, 2003. The purpose was to review the 319-grant. The Phase II Subcommittee of the OSWTF indicated the final Phase II rules will not get through JCAR until the Fall of 2003. A real concern was entities are asked to submit their plans for approval in accordance to the OhioEPA timeline. But, the final Phase II rules will come-up after this approval. A suggestion was made to invite a representative of OhioEPA to all future WWIN meetings for updates on various subjects such as this one.

Item No. 7 - Committee Reports - Stormwater Management, Data Collection, and Education

No committee reports were given.

Item No. 8 - General Announcements

Jim Rozelle - Jim is working with Hamilton County Commissioner John S. Dowlin and the County Commissioners Association of Ohio (CCAO) trying to get Ohio Revised Code (ORC) 6117 and 309.79 modified to work with the Phase II rules. Some changes proposed are to reduce from five acres to one acre; specifically under ORC 6117 it is mentioned that Phase II is one of the purposes of a County sewer district; allow Hamilton County Auditor's Office to collect stormwater fees to be assessed on the taxpayer's billing; and, to change some of the regulations in dealing with erosion sediment control in terms of the enforcement beyond going to the Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office. Commissioner Dowlin is a supporter of the aforementioned and requested the support of the CCAO. Additionally, he is working on a sponsor.

Bob Jansen- The sum of $4.5 million was passed by the House and Senate for General Re-evaluation Report for the Mill Creek. The Section III - Remedial Maintenance Contract should be awarded within the next two weeks. Around early Summer after approval is made, the early warning system costing approximately $385,000.00 will be installed somewhere near Butler County area (Sharonville or Evendale Fire Department).

Nancy Ellwood - On March 28, 2003 at 10:00 a.m. in Evendale, the Mill Creek Watershed Council will have two guest speakers (United States Geological Survey and a presentation on the model showing what impacts development has on downstream segments).

LuAnn Winkle Water Quality Symposium co-sponsored by Little Miami River Partnership and the Ohio State University Extension will take place on March 7, 2003 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Grailville Conference Center.

Brian Bohl - The Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Conservation Council meeting will take place on March 31, 2003 at the Campbell County Extension Office.

Holly Utrata-Halcomb - WaterFest is scheduled for March 18, 2003 at the Convention Center. If you can volunteer, please contact Lynn R. White of DOES at 513-946-7754 or via e-mail at lynn.white@hamilton-co.org.

Rob Caudill - He requested that his name be added to the e-mail list (refer to his business card for the e-mail address).

Bret Henninger - Ohio Lake Management Society Annual Conference takes place on March 22, 2003 at Deer Creek State Park Resort.

Anne Lyons - Little Miami, Incorporated's tree planting takes place on April 22, 2003. Greenacres Water Quality Project - Teacher Training Workshop entitled, "Make A Splash," will be this Summer.

For more information, please call 513-891-4227 or via e-mail at alyon@green-acres.org.

Item No. 9 - Adjourn

The meeting adjourned at 11:35 a.m.