The Town Council has approved up to $50,000 in the current fiscal year for cleaning and inspection of storm drain structures in Fountain Hills.

Town Facilities/Environmental Supervisor Raymond Rees told the council the town has spent around $10,000 on an annual basis, but recently discovered a significant need that will require the additional funding.

Rees said an inquiry from the SunRidge Canyon HOA revealed that some storm drains in that area are in bad need of cleaning and it is the responsibility of the town, not the HOA.

Staff also asked the council to keep the greater amount in the annual budget for the project.

Councilman Tait Elkie asked Rees if this is a situation where they are playing catch-up on work that has been needed.

Rees said the structures scheduled for work under this agreement have never been cleaned or inspected in the past.

Staff has proposed that the town hire Professional Pipe Services under a cooperative purchasing agreement through the Town of Cottonwood to clean various drainage culverts and use camera inspection for others.

Councilwoman Cassie Hansen asked whether the town could work with the Sanitary District for television inspection because the district has the equipment.

Rees said the town has an agreement with the Sanitary District that would allow that, but it is not being considered in this instance where the cleaning and camera work are both needed.

Councilwoman Ginny Dickey asked whether this is an ongoing maintenance requirement that could be funded through a storm water fee if the town had one.

Rees indicated that it is.

A storm water fee has been discussed previously by the Town Council as a fee collected based on drainage requirements for individual residences.

The funding could be used for various projects to manage storm water to meet requirements of federal regulations. The council has balked at the plan based on both the tax implications as well as the difficulty in implementing such a fee for the town.

Councilmembers Henry Leger and Cecil Yates urged staff to provide an overall assessment of the conditions of the storm water system to get a better idea of the annual needs for maintenance.

“This seems to be an issue that has never been brought to us before,” Leger said. “I’d like a town-wide assessment before the next budget discussion.”

“We have been doing inspections and do have a pretty good idea of where we are,” Rees said.