Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Environment Stormwater topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Southgate schools adopt MS4 stormwater resolution, submit permit application to EGLE
Summary
The Southgate Community School District board approved a resolution Sept. 9 to join its own MS4 stormwater permit and submitted an application to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) to cover four district facilities.
The Southgate Community School District Board of Education voted on Sept. 9 to approve a board resolution and submit an MS4 stormwater permit application to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE). District staff said the application was submitted by the Aug. 29, 2025 deadline and that the district must hold its own MS4 permit separate from the city.
Arch Environmental worked with the city’s engineers to determine which district locations are on separate storm sewer systems and therefore require MS4 coverage. Staff identified Anderson High School and Allen Elementary as a single complex that requires permitting, as well as Gerrish Middle School and Northpointe Elementary. Staff said the other district facilities do not fall under the permit requirement. “We have already submitted a new application by the 08/29/2025 deadline per EGLE,” a staff member said.
Staff described the board resolution and an accompanying stormwater management/illicit-discharge policy that were submitted to EGLE. The district intends to follow the minimal requirements of the permit rather than adopting more stringent measures at this time. A staff member explained how the district will comply operationally: one district employee will be trained and Arch Environmental will act as the third-party reviewer to perform inspections and submit reports to the state. “We do not have a choice,” the staff member said of the requirement to obtain a permit.
Board members asked procedural and jurisdictional questions, including which buildings are separate storm systems, how inspections and repairs will be handled, and who will manage work if structural repairs are required. Staff said maintenance will oversee routine inspections and that structural repairs would be routed through existing vendor agreements, citing Royal Cement for concrete repairs when needed.
Motion and vote details: Dr. Antonia moved to approve the stormwater board resolution and the August 2025 permit application; Mr. Green supported the motion. The board voted to approve the resolution and application as presented.
The record did not specify the permit renewal interval; staff said they would follow EGLE’s regulations for renewal and ongoing reporting. The board did not identify new recurring costs or funding sources beyond describing that minimal ongoing inspection and maintenance obligations will impose additional district responsibilities.
