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McMinnville adopts updated stormwater ordinance, delays vote on stormwater utility for more public outreach
Summary
The McMinnville board adopted Ordinance 20 26-01 to update stormwater-management code driven by TDEC MS4 requirements, including a new engineering-certification requirement; a companion ordinance to create a stormwater utility was deferred for further community information and discussion.
The McMinnville Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted to adopt Ordinance 20 26-01, revising the city’s stormwater-management code to align with Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) MS4 permit minimums and to add a local engineering-certification requirement for construction plans.
A staff member explained the ordinance updates are required by periodic TDEC MS4 permit updates and are intended to keep city practices in compliance. “The only thing on here that is not a minimum requirement that I put in there that has been a best practice in municipalities is the section stating or engineering design that an engineer must certify all plans prior to receiving a certificate of occupation,” the staff member said, explaining the provision would require a licensed engineer to certify detention, stormwater measures and related designs before a certificate of occupancy is issued.
Board members asked whether the ordinance included a citywide comprehensive drainage plan; the staff member said it did not. After discussion, Mayor Mary Chastain called the vote and the ordinance passed by board majority.
A separate ordinance, 20 26-02, which would establish a stormwater utility and special-revenue fund and set a fee schedule, was discussed but deferred to the next meeting so staff could publish a packet of frequently asked questions, share cost and staffing estimates, and respond to public concerns. Staff said the packet will explain how fees are calculated (based on surface area rather than property value), how apartment and multifamily accounts would be handled, and which state and federal statutes are cited as the ordinance’s basis. The mayor and staff agreed the FAQ and fee information will be shared on the city website and social media before the next vote.
The board’s action separates a code-update (adopted) from a funding mechanism (deferred for outreach), allowing residents more time to review the proposed utility fee structure before a final decision.
