CITY OF VICTORIA

Stormwater Engagement Summary

The City of Victoria recently engaged with the community to collect feedback on the change to a stormwater utility model and the proposed rainwater management credit program. This change will introduce a user-pay system for stormwater charges and incentives for properties that manage rainwater sustainably. What the City of Victoria Heard
Make the credit program more flexible
and consider additional credit options

Next Steps
Consider phasing in charges for
properties with increases and consider capping the rates in subsequent years Responsive to community feedback regarding timelines, the implementation of the stormwater utility and the credit program will now take place in 2015, instead of 2014. The additional feedback collected is now helping to guide the details of the stormwater utility and the rainwater credit program.

Develop case studies for different

property types: include all potential benefits and costs

Consider adjusting the rate model to

address some specific property types and situations

Consider a rebate program with the

credit program to help offset upfront costs of installation

Continue focus on education about the

stormwater utility and the credit program

Engage associations to help with credit

program development and education

Consider changing the implementation

date from 2014 to 2015

Make the credit program simple and

easy to use

Would allow property owners

to adapt to rate changes, adjust fees, etc.

Create clear design guidelines for

credit program, explore DYI projects and reduce the need for professional services when possible

Would give property owners

more time to consider rainwater management options that could be suitable for their property

Provide guidance and support to help

owners with the credit program

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Engineering Department T 250.361.0443 E stormwater@victoria.ca 1 CENTENNIAL SQUARE, VICTORIA, BC V8W 1P6 | www.victoria.ca/stormwater

CITY OF VICTORIA Engagement Activities and Participation

Feedback from two focus groups was used to develop the fall engagement activities that included three open houses and 10 stakeholder meetings. Surveys were also used to collect feedback. Three educational videos, an interactive online historical timeline, Rain Garden Gnomes, print advertising, media relations and social media outreach were used to raise awareness about these changes. Engagement Activity Details Media Relations: A media event celebrated local property owners who manage rainwater sustainability and introduced Rain Garden Gnomes. Participation 14 media stories

Open Houses: Three open houses were held, two at the Victoria Public Market and one at the Burnside Gorge Community Centre.

225 participants

Stakeholder Meetings: 10 stakeholder meetings were held. They included an overview of the changes and small group discussions. Each group then offered up recommendations regarding the stormwater utility and credit program.

143 participants

Surveys: Five similar surveys were developed for each of the five main property types. This provided an opportunity for additional feedback or for feedback from people that couldnt attend the open houses or stakeholder meetings. Website: www.victoria.ca/stormwater Information included: program details, frequently asked questions, engagement details, links to surveys, an interactive historical timeline and three videos. Social Media: Facebook Twitter Correspondence: Incoming correspondence was collected.

263 surveys 143 single-family homes 76 multi-unit homes 24 commercial/industrial 4 civic/institutional 16 Tax Exempt 732 page views

9 posts: 17 shares, 28 likes, 40+ comments, 35,516 views 13 tweets: 20 re-tweets 98 emails, 79 phone calls, 3 letters

Thank you for your feedback!

To view all of the feedback collected you can visit www.victoria.ca/stormwater

1 CENTENNIAL SQUARE, VICTORIA, BC V8W 1P6

| www.victoria.ca