Raymore Public Works was recognized by the American Public Works Association (APWA) with full reaccreditation and two model practices during the City Council meeting on Dec. 22.

The APWA regional representative told the council that accreditation demonstrates a department’s commitment to continuous improvement and compliance with nationally recognized management practices; he said a team of evaluators reviewed 120 practices and that the department achieved full compliance. “I’m proud to report that the department achieved 100% in full compliance with all applicable practices,” the regional representative said.

Following that recognition, Public Works staff member Laurie Crandall presented a summary of the city’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) annual report. Crandall described the MS4 program’s six minimum control measures: public education and outreach; public participation; illicit discharge detection and elimination; construction-site stormwater runoff control; post-construction stormwater management; and pollution-prevention/good-housekeeping for municipal operations. She said the city inspects approximately 12% of its outfalls annually (the city has roughly 569 outfalls currently), enforces land-disturbance permits, requires erosion-control certification for builders, and uses maintenance bonds and inspections for post-construction controls.

Crandall listed outreach efforts that support the MS4 program (articles in the Raymore Review, an annual stream cleanup, household hazardous waste events and an online reporting tool for stormwater concerns) and noted that facility-specific pollution plans and employee training are part of the city’s pollution-prevention efforts.

Council members congratulated Public Works leadership and discussed publishing summary guidance for residents in the Raymore Review to inform the public about stormwater precautions.