capabilities to carry out the program, providing its own funding. Also, the state will impose an annual fee for each city, with our city being in a $500 fee category. At the May City Council Meeting a presentation was given by Mr. Paul Taylor from JUB Engineers concerning this mandate. Mr. Greg Seegmiller, Jones and Associates, said if the city co-permits with the county, then the county would be responsible to track down any water contamination which may come from other cities, who have storm water drainage into our area. These two companies submitted bids for a storm drain plan. This EPA issued unfunded mandate requires all local governments in the United States to develop storm water regulations, provide the funding for it, and apply for an EPA storm water permit by December 8, 2002. This due date required a City Council Meeting on July 4th to begin the process. Our city, as well as all cities and unincorporated county areas along the Wasatch Front must comply with this mandate. The purpose is to control runoff into streams which may contaminate those waters with heavy loads of pollutants, including sediments, oil and grease, fertilizers, and bacteria. All cities in the county are co-permitting with Weber County for this EPA mandate, which will reduce the cost. Our leaders are frustrated by such non-funded mandates, but must comply. A public hearing on Resolutions for EPA Phase II Storm Water Management Plan, and Utility Fee, and on Ordinance 2002-12 for Storm Water Management was held on October 17, 2002. Greg Seegmiller, City Engineer from Jones & Associates, who has been working with the county and other cities on this federally mandated project, briefly went over the issues on the plan and what needs to accomplished for compliance with the Federal Clean Act. Six steps are needed to implement the plan: (1) Public Education and Outreach, (2) Public Involvement and Participation, (3) Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination, (4) Construction Site Runoff Control, (5) Post Construction Storm Water Management, and (6) Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping. Measures 4, 5, and 6 will be the responsibility of the City. A community committee was formed with Kim Slater, Steve Mecham, Joe Deru and Mark Hodson, along with Mr. Seegmiller, as members. They compiled the initial storm water management plan. Weber County will assist the City on item 3. The brochure, Noticed Your Neighborhood Storms Drains Lately? developed by Dr. George S. Burbidge of the Weber County Storm water Management Division, was distributed to City residents as part of Item 1. President Ilium asked for audience comments. Frank Blair said the federal government should not be able tell people what they can do with their land, and felt the city should fight the mandate. He was also concerned about fertilizer that could drain into the storm drain, chemicals used to control moss in the irrigation ditches, and animal waste along streams. President Ilium indicated that the plan generally covers storm water management for construction projects, not agriculture areas. Mr. Blair also believes the fees were not fair for commercial areas, making it difficult to use the land owned., and questioned the necessity of fees. Mr. Seegmiller indicated that the fees will cover a portion of the costs of implementation each year, and would represent the amount needed for compliance with the mandate, in addition to some funds set aside for needed future storm water projects. EPA requires the city to provide its own funding and there are fines or criminal penalties for failure to comply. He also explained how the fees were based on aerial photos and any perceived inequities could be appealed. Some concern was expressed that the fees are high and that some businesses could not operate successfully with such fees. Resolution 2002-I approving the EPA Phase II Storm Water Management Plan was passed by the Council with Councilman Delbert Hodson voting nay. After discussion, Ordinance 2002-12 for Storm Water Management and Utility was approved by the Council, with one nay vote from Councilman Hodson. The Council has discussed various aspects of fees, credits, exemptions and other issues which are involved in setting a fee schedule. Following this, Resolution 2002-J, establishing the Storm Water Utility Fee was tabled until the staff gets problems worked out. While snow covered the land, the Parks Committee remained busy developing plans for the Riverside Cove area. Assignments were made for investigation of costs, design, maintenance concerns, and 5