(A) The city maintains a system of storm and surface water management facilities including but not limited to, inlets, conduits, manholes, channels, ditches, drainage easements, retention and detention basins, infiltration facilities and other components as well as natural waterways.
(B) The storm water system in the city requires regular maintenance and improvements.
(C) Storm water quality is degraded due to erosion and the discharge of nutrients, metals, oil, grease, toxic materials and other substances into and through the storm water system.
(D) The public health, safety and welfare is adversely affected by poor ambient water quality and flooding.
(E) All real property in the City of Hopkinsville either uses or benefits from the maintenance of the storm water system.
(F) The extent of use of the storm water system by each property is dependent on factors that influence runoff, including land use and the amount of impervious surface on the property.
(G) The cost of improving, maintaining, operating and monitoring the storm water system should be allocated, to the extent practicable, to all property owners based on the impact of runoff from the impervious areas of their property on the storm water management system.
(H) Management of the storm water system to protect the public health, safety and welfare requires adequate revenues and it is in the interest of the public to finance storm water management adequately with a user fee system that is reasonable and equitable so that each user of the system pays to the extent to which they contribute to the need for it.
(I) The city is required to develop a storm water quality program through the NPDES Phase II storm water program that is required by state and federal law.
(Ord. 36-2005, passed 1-3-2006; Ord. 45-2006, passed 12-5-2006)