Maitland City Talk

On October 1, 2008, the city of Maitland began a new chapter in the way it manages stormwater. Years of research and analysis resulted in the adoption of the Environmental Stormwater Utility (ESU), a fee dedicated to the projects and operations of the Stormwater and Lakes Management Division. Since its inception, this utility has facilitated the institution of multiple projects and positive changes within the Division to continue its goal of improved water quality throughout Maitland’s 22 lakes.

The division’s largest project to date, the Lake Maitland Basin Drainage Improvements, was completed in January of 2010. Including an area from Magnolia Road to Alpine Drive in the Ridgewood Neighborhood, this project provided stormwater pollutant removal via underground exfiltration chambers, while also giving the neighborhood a face-lift of new curbing, parking and paving. Its innovative design achieved a $550,000 grant from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), whose ranking system sets higher preference to projects funded with stormwater utility monies.

Along with the ability to construct additional/larger stormwater treatment facilities, dedicated funding has also accommodated the addition of a second Environmental Technician in 2009 and purchase of a storm sewer-cleaning vacuum truck in 2012. Infrastructure inspection and maintenance requirements governed by the FDEP’s stormwater quality permitting were previously unattainable, but the addition of a new staff person has allowed the division to significantly improve its mandated standards and frequencies. Expensive contracted stormwater cleaning services have been eliminated with the recent fleet addition, and increased maintenance of stormwater retrofits (CDS Units, Nutrient Separating Baffle Boxes, Exfiltration Chambers, etc…) has already improved the effectiveness of existing infrastructure, allowing even less pollutants to enter our lakes.

The Stormwater and Lakes Management Division is in the process of finalizing three proposed retrofit projects to capture stormwater currently flowing untreated into Lakes Gem, Sybelia and Minnehaha. At their last meeting, the Maitland City Council approved the award of the Lake Eulalia Water Quality Improvements contract, authorizing funding to construct a groundbreaking wetland treatment system. Underutilized city property just north of the Thurston House will be converted to a series of four small wetland cells filled with native aquatic vegetation. Using a standard irrigation pump, lake water will be conveyed uphill and carried through each cell, naturally removing excess nutrients and pollutants before discharging back into Lake Eulalia.

These are but a small few of the improvements made possible by the ESU, but great progress has already been achieved in the four years since its adoption. With more stringent water quality requirements on the horizon, Maitland will continue to be at the forefront of stormwater management to maintain the health of our lakes and the enjoyment of our citizens.

—Marissa Williams

Stormwater and Lakes Management Coordinator

City of Maitland

City Council Meeting of July 9

The Maitland City Council met on July 9 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers. Below is a synopsis of that meeting.

Consent:

Approved Council Minutes of June 25

Contract awarded to Energy Services Group for an investment grade energy audit.

Approved the submittal of a Department of Homeland Security Assistance to Firefighter Grant.

Decision:

Michael Wilde and Hank Wolf were appointed to the Planning and Zoning Commission.

To listen to a recording of the meeting, visit www.itsmymaitland.com