City Council approves ordinance establishing Stormwater Advisory Board

COLUMBIA — Residents of Columbia will now have a Stormwater Advisory Board to go to for all their stormwater concerns.

The Columbia City Council passed an ordinance Monday that would establish a Stormwater Advisory Board. Mayor Darwin Hindman said the city staff thought it would be a good idea to model the board after the current Water and Light Advisory Board. City staff proposed adding the board.

"I really think that stormwater is going to be one of the premier issues that the city will face as time goes on," Hindman stated.

The board will consist of five members, one of who will be appointed by the Chancellor of MU. The other four will be selected by the council.

All members must be Columbia residents and registered voters.

The board will advise city staff of long-range goals regarding stormwater utility, voice citizens' concerns regarding stormwater issues to city officials and serve any other duties that may be assigned by the council.

Members of the board will meet at least quarterly. They will not be paid. The estimated cost of the advisory board is minimal, including mainly office supplies and copies, according to a staff report.

The Columbia Stormwater Utility has been in effect since 1993 and has functioned since then without an advisory board. The utility was established to protect the public from stormwater damage and runoff and provide requirements for construction of stormwater management facilities for newly developed areas.