All developed parcels are required to pay the calculated stormwater fee. No credits/reductions to this baseline are available outside of the education credit detailed below. The City recognizes that non-residential properties are required by law to provide stormwater detention and water quality treatment onsite. Meeting the mandated requirements for stormwater management is not a basis for exemption. The educational credit available to schools for providing stormwater management education classes is outlined below. As stated, this is the only available credit.
(a) Education Credit for School Institutions. Elementary, middle, and high schools that provide educational activities regarding watershed pollution and protection, surface and groundwater resources, and the effects of urbanization on these resources will assist the City in achieving public outreach and education as required by the NPDES permit. Therefore these facilities are eligible for a seventy-five percent reduction in the stormwater management utility fee for the school site. The credit is subject to the following conditions:
(1) The institution is an accredited K-12 educational institution that serves at least fifty students on a property parcel;
(2) The education outreach is designed to reach every student in the school at least once during their time at that school location;
(3) The educational activities shall consist of a minimum of one hour of instructional content specific to watershed education. Approved topics include but are not limited to:
A. The natural water cycle as well as the urban water cycle, including water and wastewater treatment;
B. The watershed concept, stream formation, and causes of erosion and flooding;
C. Effects of stormwater and surface water pollution on Northeast Ohio rivers, streams, and Lake Erie;
D. Stormwater runoff pollution prevention;
E. Water conservation and its relevance in water-rich Northeast Ohio;
F. Watershed management, topography, and the geologic history of our region; or
G. The function and ecosystem services provided by streams, wetlands, and floodplains for flood control and erosion control; and
(4) The institution will provide documentation of curriculum taught and verification of the number of students that received instruction annually. Documentation should include specifics of curriculum and/or lesson plans. For topics that are independent of those listed above, prior review and approval of lesson plans by the Administrator is required to be eligible for the credit.
(b) Restrictions. Separate parcels owned by the school or school district such as administrative, transportation, or maintenance facilities where no educational curriculum is delivered, as well as closed school facilities, are not eligible for the education credit.
(c) Credit Application Procedure. Applications must be submitted with all required documentation as described herein. Applications can be submitted via e-mail to Service Department or via mail to 35400 Schneider Court, Avon, Ohio 44011. Applications must be received by the close of business every June 15th. All schools shall receive the seventy-five percent credit at the commencement of this legislation. To continue to receive said credit, a school will be required to comply with the provisions of this section by June 15th, 2018 and every year thereafter.
(d) Processing. When an application is received, the City will conduct an administrative completeness review of all submitted materials. If the application is not complete, the City will contact the applicant and request the additional information necessary to complete the application. Following the receipt of a complete application, the City will provide a complete review and the applicant will be notified in writing within twenty business days if an application is approved or denied. Denied requests may be resubmitted addressing City comments and must be received no later than the close of business August 1. Only one resubmittal is permitted. The second review is the final decision for that calendar year. There is no further appeal. To receive the education credit, applicants must submit the documentation listed below to the Avon Service Department, 35400 Schneider Court, Avon, Ohio 44011 (email: service@cityofavon.com):
(1) Education credit application;
(2) Lesson plan form; and
(3) Final report form, which will include grade levels using the curricula (must be at least twenty-five percent of all grades at school or school district), as well as estimated number of students reached each school year. Final report form must be received by the City no later than June 15th of the applicable school year.
(e) Recertification.
(1) The education credit is valid for one year. The school must reapply every year to continue to receive the credit.
(2) Failure to submit the required documentation by June 15th will result in elimination of the credit.
(Ord. 105-17. Passed 1-8-18.)