Framework for the Future 2030

URBAN SERVICES GOALS, POLICIES, STRATEGIES AND IMPLEMENTATION ACTIONS

The long-range planning goals for Urban Services are:     

• Enhance drinking water availability.
• Enhance reservoir protection and watershed preservation.
• Pursue equity in water rates and fees.
• Enhance Wastewater Treatment.
• Enhance the local wastewater collection system.
• Improve the maintenance and safety of the storm water system.
• Improve solid waste management.
• Develop and implement an organized program for disposal of hazardous household waste.
• Develop and enhance recycling efforts to achieve 75% of waste being recycled.
• Develop a source reduction education program and implement through incentives.
• Improve programming of local government channel access.
• Reduce the cost of broadcast service by encouraging competition.
• Further Develop the City of Newport News' Website.
• Develop the City of Newport News Radio Station 1700 AM.
• Manage the proliferation of communication antennas and towers.
• Manage the placement of equipment cabinets and pedestals for underground utilities near street rights-of-way.

DRINKING WATER SYSTEM

The Framework for the Future sets forth the following goals, policies, strategies and implementation for the Drinking Water System.

Strategy 1.1.1: Provide incentives to water customers to conserve resources and repair leaking water pipes and faucets at individual residences, businesses and industry.

Strategy 1.1.2: Require water intensive industrial and commercial developments to reuse the water they utilize to the maximum extent possible.

Strategy 1.1.4: Continue to investigate the reutilization of treated wastewater and/or gray water site by site for use by commercial and industrial users.  

Strategy 1.1.5: Continue to support the use of underground water wells for irrigation of lawns and landscaping by City residents, business and industry.

Strategy 1.1.6: Support the use of storm water management ponds for irrigation purposes.

IMPLEMENTATION 1.1:

1.1.1:  Continue Waterworks' leak detection program followed by replacement and/or rehabilitation of leaking water lines on a systematic basis within the system.

1.1.2: Develop programs which provide direct and indirect incentives to water customers to conserve resources and repair leaking water pipes and faucets at individual residences, businesses and industry.

1.1.3: Amend development ordinances and water agreements to require water intensive industrial and commercial developments to recycle the water they utilize to the highest extent possible.

1.1.4:  Expand and enhance Waterworks' Conservation Education Program.

1.1.5:  Work with the Department of Environmental Quality to further the utilization of gray water.

Strategy 1.2.1:  Develop new raw water supply sources with near and long term alternatives.

IMPLEMENTATION 1.2:

1.2.1: Continue to monitor and evaluate the costs, changes in technology, and environmental impacts of surface water desalting.

1.2.2: Complete the development of the King William Reservoir to meet the Peninsula's long-range water supply needs.

1.2.3:  Support the development of options such as wastewater treatment, stormwater retention, and a system of wells as potential sources of potable water.

1.2.4: Look at other sources of water to meet additional water needs other than potable water.

Strategy 2.1.1: All development should observe Best Management Practices, which are defined and illustrated in the current edition of the Design Criteria Manual of the Department of Engineering, as a way of controlling non-point source pollution.

Strategy 2.1.2: Protect the Lee Hall Reservoir from fuel spills caused by accidents on Interstate 64, Ft. Eustis Boulevard and the CSX Railroad.

Strategy 2.1.3: Maintain and update contingency plans to maintain water supply in any emergency.

Strategy 2.1.4: Protect existing reservoirs from intrusive development.

Strategy 2.1.5: Develop strategies in cooperation with neighboring jurisdictions that are host to the City’s drinking water supplies that lie outside of Newport News that will protect the reservoir and river supplies now and into the future.

IMPLEMENTATION 2.1:

2.1.1: Enforce the Reservoir Protection Ordinance that incorporates Best Management Practices (BMP's) for land development and forestry to protect the reservoirs.

2.1.2: Structurally modify the railroad and highway crossings at the Lee Hall Reservoir to protect the reservoir from fuel spills.

Strategy 2.2.1: Continue to enforce Ordinance 3573-87 as amended November 28, 1995 that only allows for exchanges of Waterworks owned property if the same level or enhanced protection can be achieved. 

Strategy 2.3.1: The City Council has established a written policy in Ordinance 3573-87 that encompasses the intent of Policy 2.3 and the policy should continue to remain in force.  

Strategy 3.1.1: Continue the use of the summer conservation rate to achieve rate equity for higher volume use in the summer.

Strategy 3.1.2: Continue to use the system development charge, which exacts a fair share of the cost of supplying water to new customers, especially those that will cause a bigger impact due to large consumption requirements, to achieve an equitable share compared to residential customers.

Strategy 3.1.3:  Develop and establish a lifeline water fee rate and other incentive rates.

Strategy 3.1.4:  Review water rates annually to determine the relationship of water rates to median household income regarding affordability, following EPA’s guidelines.

WASTE WATER TREATMENT AND COLLECTION SYSTEM

The Framework for the Future sets forth the following goals, policies, strategies and implementation for the Wastewater Treatment and Collection System.

Strategy 5.1.1: Continue to use capital improvement program funds to repair or replace deteriorated wastewater collection lines, manholes, and service laterals.

Strategy 5.1.2: Finance the repair and replacement of deteriorated wastewater collection lines with bond funds and other additional funding sources besides solely increasing the local sanitary sewer user fee.

Strategy 5.1.3: Wastewater pumping stations should be reviewed through a design network to reduce the number of stations by combining and up-sizing. As part of the redesign, the latest in technology should be used to reduce electrical consumption, establish flow-monitoring systems and reduce the possibility of sewage overflow.

Strategy 5.2.1: Continue to use Capital Improvement Program funds for extending wastewater collection lines to unserved or under served developed areas on a prescribed schedule.

Strategy 5.2.2: Develop and adopt a schedule for extending wastewater collection lines.

Strategy 5.2.3: Enhance the operation of pump stations.

Strategy 5.3.1: Encourage the connection of houses to the wastewater collection system in environmentally sensitive areas, e.g. areas with high water tables, Chesapeake Bay Preservation Areas and Reservoir Protection Zones.

IMPLEMENTATION 5.3:

5.3.1: Provide financial assistance, through federal, state, and local grant programs, to enable low income households, and those on fixed incomes near the low income threshold, to connect to the waste water collection system.

STORM WATER SYSTEM

The Framework for the Future sets forth the following goal, policies, strategies, and implementation for the Storm water System.

Strategy 6.1.1: Give known problem drainage areas priority, but retain flexibility to respond to previously unidentified areas of drainage concern as they may occur, especially when residential areas are threatened. 

Strategy 6.1.2: Consistently complete drainage projects within the Capital Improvement Plan as scheduled.

Strategy 6.1.3: Emphasize litter control to assist in stormwater system maintenance operations.

Strategy 6.2.1: Require wider drainage easements in new developments, in accordance with City Design Criteria Manual, to permit necessary maintenance machinery access to abutting canals, ditches, and sediment ponds.

Strategy 6.2.2: Explore the use of access easements through side yards to gain access to rear yard drainage easements.

IMPLEMENTATION 6.2:

6.2.1: Continue to seek temporary easements on a case-by-case basis in order to properly maintain existing drainage canals, ditches and sediment ponds.

6.2.2: Utilize storm drainage easements in accordance with the City’s Design Criteria Manual  as a last resort in existing developments.

6.2.3: Amend development ordinances to require wider drainage easements in new developments.

SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT AND RECYCLING

The Framework for the Future sets forth the following goals, policies, strategies and implementation for Solid Waste Management and Recycling.

Strategy 7.1.1: Continue to examine the possibility of a regional approach to waste management that may be in the City's interest.

Strategy 7.1.2:   Continue to review the bulk waste issue and pick-up schedules based on parity within the community and operation efficiencies. 

IMPLEMENTATION 7.1:

7.1.1:  Pursue recycling on a cost effective basis, whether public or private.

7.1.2: Establish City Code regulations for the location and screening of dumpsters.

7.1.3: Continue and expand City support of community clean up days.

Strategy 7.2.1:  Ensure that waste management is cost effective, efficient and a low cost public service not a profit making business.

Strategy 8.1.1: Participate in a regional hazardous waste disposal program.

Strategy 8.1.2: Educate the public on the identification and proper disposal of existing hazardous household materials.

IMPLEMENTATION 8.1:

8.1.2:  Continue to publicize and provide information regarding the City’s quarterly collection of hazardous household waste.

8.1.3: Investigate and evaluate the potential development of a regional household hazardous waste program.

Strategy 9.1.1: Continue to encourage all area businesses to purchase, sell and use more recycled waste products and/or other recyclable materials.

Strategy 9.1.2: Develop a program for municipal government to purchase and use recycled goods.

Strategy 9.1.3: The Business Recycling Coordinator should work in cooperation with Newport News School System to establish recycling programs in the schools.

IMPLEMENTATION 9.1:

9.1.1: Pursue the development of a regional scale recycling program for area businesses that stresses the use, purchase and sale of recycled products.

9.1.2: Establish a municipal policy that requires all departments to purchase paper containing a minimum of 20% post consumer recycled fiber.

9.1.3:  Enhance the advertising of the recycling programs.

Strategy 9.2.1: Continue to coordinate, through regional recycling centers, the provision of corrugated cardboard recycling containers at shopping centers for use by area businesses in or near that shopping center.

Strategy 9.2.2: Investigate and educate the public about projects or programs that recycle magazines to nursing homes, libraries, schools, etc.

Strategy 9.2.3: Identify a cooperative multiple-family complex to serve as a as a model for recycling initiatives for multiple-family complexes.

Strategy 9.2.4: Assist small businesses in developing programs for cost effective recycling.

IMPLEMENTATION 9.2:

9.2.1: Continue to encourage businesses to implement a waste exchange program.

9.2.2: Continue to encourage City residents to mulch and compost their yard waste, including leaves and grass instead of bagging it for the landfill.

9.2.3: Identify and query a cooperative multi-family complex to establish a "pilot program" for educating the public housing communities about recycling and establishing drop-off points within those communities.

9.2.4: Modify the Site Plan Ordinance to require an area to be reserved on developing multi-family sites to provide for recycling.

9.2.5: Require all existing and proposed multiple-family complexes to provide recycling pick-up on site where space allows.

9.2.6: The City should develop a surplus distribution center for its surplus furniture and equipment.

Strategy 9.3.1:  Research methods used by other municipalities to accomplish mandatory recycling.

IMPLEMENTATION 9.3

9.3.1:  Have in place a comprehensive and mandatory recycling program with a goal of 75% of waste being recycled.

Strategy 10.1.1: Provide incentives for residents to reduce the amount of waste produced by selecting products with the least amount of packaging.

Strategy 10.1.2: Provide incentives for residents and businesses to reuse and/or donate reusable goods to charity.

Strategy 10.1.3: Provide incentives for residents to choose products that can be recycled and to purchase products made from recycled materials.

IMPLEMENTATION 10.1:

10 .1.1: Educate residents and businesses on ways to minimize waste in the household and the workplace.

10 .1.2: Educate the public on the practicality and desirability of purchasing goods made of recycled products.

10.1.3: Continue the programs for multiple trash containers and multiple fees.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT MANAGED COMMUNICATIONS

The Framework for the Future sets forth the following goals, policies, strategies, and implementation for Local Government Cable Access Channels, Website and Radio Station.

Strategy 11.1.1:  Provide government access channel programming 24 hours-a-day.

Strategy 11.1.2: Provide more accessibility and flexibility in scheduling programs.

IMPLEMENTATION 11.1:

11.1.1: Acquire the system and equipment capability to provide two-way interaction for programs dealing with City issues and/or educational topics.

Strategy 11.2.1: Spotlight individual schools, their programs and talents, and interview exchange students on the City government channel as well as the school channels.

Strategy 11.2.2: Encourage the school district to promote low profile high school sports and band programs on City and school channels.

Strategy 11.2.3: Encourage the local government channel to add more health, children's educational and community programs, expand information on City departments and related agencies, and add current events programs.

Strategy 11.2.4: Continue to carry other jurisdictions' programs on the government channel.

IMPLEMENTATION 11.2:

11.2.1: Broadcast more health, children's educational and community programs.

11.2.2: Broadcast School Board meetings on both the City government channel and school channel.

11.2.3: Broadcast programs that highlight individual schools on the City government as well as school channel.

11.2.4: Continue to broadcast on the local government channel information regarding the recycling program, drop off points and other initiatives.

11.2.5:  Provide programming information for the City government Channel and School Channel in the Daily Press T.V. Guide.

Strategy 11.3.1: Encourage all city departments/divisions to provide informative programming to the city channel that will be cablecast for public information and instruction.

Strategy 11.3.2:  Remodel the City Council Chambers and upgrade its technology.

IMPLEMENTATION 11.3:

11.3.1: Assist individual departments and/or divisions, and their representatives, in the preparation of informative programming.

Strategy 12.1.1: Provide a stronger competitive bidding environment to get lower monthly fees.

IMPLEMENTATION 12.1:

12.1.1: Publicize that the current cable television franchise is "non-exclusive" and already allows more than one cable company to provide services in the City of Newport News.

12.1.2:  Publicize to the citizens that individual satellite dishes are allowed in the City, through omission in City regulations, as an alternative to cable service. However, the Zoning Ordinance should address the location and size limitation of satellite dishes within all zoning districts.

Strategy 12.2.1: Continue to provide local government cable access channels at no additional charge to all City residents whose homes are wired for cable.

IMPLEMENTATION 12.2:

12.2.1: Continue to negotiate lease agreements with the cable franchises, which provide local government cable channels at no additional charge to all City residents whose homes are wired for cable.

Strategy 13.1.1: Provide access to the minutes of all public meetings of City Council and City Planning Commission on the City's web page.

Strategy 14.1.1:  Enlist the help of all City Departments in preparing interesting and timely programming for the station.

Strategy 14.1.2:  Develop an advertising campaign to educate residents of Newport News that 1700 AM is the radio station to listen to during emergencies and for cancellations of government services, public schools and Parks and Recreation events.

IMPLEMENTATION 14.1:

14.1.1: Require the Communications and Community Relations Division of the City Manager’s Office to prepare guidelines and a plan for the use and operation of the radio station.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

The Framework for the Future sets forth the following goals, policies, strategies and implementation for telecommunications.

Strategy 15.1.1: Permit the installation of commercial communication antennas in residentially developed and zoned neighborhoods under the Conditional Use Permit process of the Zoning Ordinance using stealth antenna technology.

Strategy 15.1.2: Continue to encourage the communication industry to co-locate antennas to the maximum extent possible, to use public buildings and structures for their equipment and to use aesthetically appealing towers and stealth antennas.

IMPLEMENTATION 15.1:

15.1.1: Continue to implement Section 45-523: Communication Tower/Antenna of the Zoning Ordinance which encourages co-location of antennas and use of public buildings and structures for communication equipment, and requires screening of the base of communication towers.

15.1.2: Develop revised regulations in the Zoning Ordinance to address communication stealth antennas in residentially zoned areas.

15.1.3: Request on-going review of telecommunication regulations by the Regulations Committee of the Newport News City Planning commission.

15.1.4: Examine a policy regarding the location of telecommunication towers on elementary school sites.

UNDERGROUND UTILITIES

The Framework for the Future sets forth the following goals, policies, strategies and implementation for underground utilities.

Strategy 16.1.1:  Modify Sec. 40.1-5 (2) Rights-of Way Districts of the City Code to address the placement and screening of equipment cabinets and pedestals.

Strategy 16.1.2: Modify the subdivision regulations in the City Code to address the placement and screening of equipment cabinets and pedestals.

Strategy 16.1.3:  Revise franchise agreements to address the placement and screening of equipment cabinets and pedestals, as appropriate.