§ 25-280. Goal 7: Ensure that dependable and adequate public infrastructure supports the existing and future development needs of the parish.

Objective 7.1: Incorporate a public works element into the comprehensive plan.

Policy 7.1.1: Involve all stakeholders in the creation of a public works element to guide public works projects within Jefferson Parish.

Policy 7.1.2: Provide the residents and businesses of unincorporated Jefferson Parish with dependable and adequate infrastructure to satisfy their health, safety and welfare needs.

Policy 7.1.3: Ensure consistency between the comprehensive plan and the public works element.

Policy 7.1.4: Establish minimum level of service standards for capital improvements planning and development review. For review purposes, development shall be made contingent on adequate on-site water, sewer, drainage, storm-water and transportation systems capacities. On-site transportation capacities include the provision of adequate capacity for traffic to move between the proposed development and the adjacent roadways.

Comment: This policy presumes that in order to have adequate on-site capacity for water, drainage, wastewater and storm-water systems, off-site conveyances and/or treatment capacity also must be adequate.

Objective 7.2: Provide needed capital improvements to repair or replace obsolete or worn out infrastructure facilities, eliminate existing deficiencies and meet the needs of future development and redevelopment.

Policy 7.2.1: Maintain all parish infrastructure assets at a level adequate to protect the parish's capital investment, and to minimize future maintenance and replacement costs.

Policy 7.2.2: Identify and pursue the most cost-effective financing method for all new projects.

Policy 7.2.3: Project infrastructure equipment and facilities replacement and maintenance needs for the next six (6) years and update this projection each year as a maintenance and replacement schedule.

Policy 7.2.4: Ensure that all capital improvements are consistent with and act as a means of implementing the Jefferson Parish Comprehensive Plan.

Policy 7.2.5: Schedule capital improvements to coordinate with land use decisions and fiscal resources to maintain level of service standards and meet existing and future facility needs.

Objective 7.3: Maintain and improve existing drainage facilities in areas that have capacity deficiencies and a history of flood complaints, while using generally accepted design criteria for current and future projects.

Policy 7.3.1: Pursue federal and state funds, including SELA and LCDA funds, for significant capital improvements to canals and pump stations.

Policy 7.3.2: Continue to work with other flood-control agencies such as the Corps of Engineers to prioritize drainage projects by need.

Policy 7.3.3: Update and implement the master drainage plan, which incorporates projections for increases in development and population, reports recommendations, as well as citizens' complaints about flooding, and provides the basis for selected capital and maintenance projects funded by the Parish and other sources.

Policy 7.3.4: Require all drainage facilities to be built to parish standards.

Policy 7.3.5: Explore new revenue sources to appropriately fund operations, maintenance, and equipment costs associated with drainage facilities in Jefferson Parish.

Policy 7.3.6: Provide an integrated system of parish-owned off-site storage facilities for ponding excess runoff that includes the use of parish parks and other parish green spaces for this purpose.

Objective 7.4: Provide sewage treatment operations to meet demands of the parish in an efficient, economical and environmentally sensitive manner.

Policy 7.4.1: Inspect all parish-owned and private wastewater treatment facilities on a regular basis to ensure proper operation, maintenance and compliance with state and federal regulations.

Policy 7.4.2: Support ongoing efforts to regionalize sewer lift stations.

Policy 7.4.3: Maintain programs and schedules that are intended to promote facility longevity and optimum operating levels.

Policy 7.4.4: Continue to update and implement the sewerage capital improvement program (SCIP) to upgrade and rehabilitate existing sewer lines and facilities and construct and install new facilities and lines.

Policy 7.4.5: Seek alternative sources of funding, (i.e., grants and loans) to finance sewerage treatment facilities construction and/or expansion.

Policy 7.4.6: Continue to evaluate emerging technologies that are financially and environmentally sound for the treatment and disposal of wastewater.

Objective 7.5: Improve water distribution capacity by correcting system deficiencies and making system upgrades.

Policy 7.5.1: Continue to maintain high quality drinking water through ongoing monitoring and appropriate treatment processes.

Policy 7.5.2: Seek increased revenue sources to support operation and maintenance costs.

Policy 7.5.3: Program and implement improvements needed to maintain and upgrade the parish's water system. Because of the age of the parish's water system, there will be a continual need for capital projects to correct problems.

Policy 7.5.4: Maintain water treatment capacity to process sufficient quantities of water to meet the projected long-range (2020) needs of Jefferson Parish.

Policy 7.5.5: Review and modify water rates and fees to reflect the actual costs of service provision and to further system goals.

(Ord. No. 21939, § 1, 8-6-03; Ord. No. 22997, § 1, 2-28-07)