Other/Miscellaneous Request Template (Appointments; ROW; Code Changes; Zoning Action, etc.)
Date Submitted: 5-1-2023
Requesting Agency: DOTI
Division:
Subject Matter Expert Name: Mary Gearhart
Email Address: Mary.Gearhart@denvergov.org
Phone Number:
Item Title & Description:
(Do not delete the following instructions)
These appear on the Council meeting agenda. Initially, the requesting agency will enter a 2-3 sentence description. Upon bill filling, the City Attorney’s Office should enter the title above the description (the title should be in bold font).
Both the title and description must be entered between the red “title” and “body” below. Do not at any time delete the red “title” or “body” markers from this template.
title
A bill for an ordinance amending certain provisions in Articles III and V of Chapter 56 of the Denver Revised Municipal Code regarding current water resource management practices within the city.
Amends Chapter 56 of the Denver Revised Municipal Code regarding storm and sanitary sewer water management practices to reflect current industry best practices for ecosystem design, planning and restoration. The Committee approved filing this item at its meeting on 5-9-2023.
body
Affected Council District(s) or citywide? citywide
Executive Summary with Rationale and Impact:
Detailed description of the item and why we are doing it. This can be a separate attachment.
Amends the DRMC to update language regarding ecosystem restoration techniques and protocols. Specifically, updates the language related to Water Resource Management and Ecosystem Restoration
The practice of water resource management has evolved from hard engineered structures that “control” water and protect from flooding to nature-based solutions that provide multiple benefits (i.e. flood mitigation, environmental benefits, social enhancements, and resiliency, etc.).
These nature-based solutions are designed to:
• define water as a community asset and amenity;
• apply a holistic watershed approach to planning and development;
• preserve and restore the ecosystem; and
• improve natural habitats to support native species.
The proposed ordinance changes will align the language of our enabling legislation to:
• accurately reflect industry best practices;
• support the goals of the Denver One Water Plan;
• support multi-beneficial projects like the Waterway Resiliency Program (SPRT) ; and
• modernize language that is outdated
Specific language changes:
Title: replace “modern” with “current”
Line 16 of recitals replace “modern” with “current”
Section 1: lists the various benefits of current water resources management practices.
Section 1: recognizes the name change for the Metro Water Recovery
Section 1: suggests that objectives with multi-departmental or multi-agency participation will collaborate pursuant to an agreement.
Section 2: affirms the DOTI ED’s authority to allocate resources to such projects
Section 3: affirms that the legislative intent is to provide integrated program with the intent to restore waterways and to do so with collaborative efforts among departments/agencies.
Section 4: adds ecosystems into storm drainage system definition.
Section 5: affirms the DOTI ED’s authority to allocate resources to such projects
Section 6: affirms the legislative intent to preserve and restore ecosystems and natural habitats through a variety of tools
Section 7: affirms the DOTI ED’s authority to allocate resources to such projects
The City has been applying these principles incrementally on projects throughout the City including at Globeville Landing and Central Park/Westerly Creek.
• The SPRT is a major and significant floodway project through the heart of the City and will require the highest and best value tools to improve water quality, provide flood mitigation and enhance the waterway.
• This ordinance change updates the language in the description of what work is expected to be completed and how that is expected to be performed, as well as the multiple benefits which may be accrued to the project.
PPT also included.
Address/Location (if applicable):
Legal Description (if applicable):
Denver Revised Municipal Code (D.R.M.C.) Citation (if applicable):
Draft Bill Attached?