TITLE
Consider an ordinance amending Chapter 30, Water, Sewers, and Sewage Disposal, Articles III and IV, providing for maintenance of sewer service lines and amending sewer rates.
SUMMARY
DATE: March 19, 2019
TO: Ronald L. Olson, City Manager
FROM: Danielle Singh, Interim Executive Director of Public Works
SUBJECT: Ordinance amendment providing for the maintenance of sewer service lines and amending sewer rates
BACKGROUND AND FINDINGS:
On January 22, 2019, City Council directed Staff to move forward with the City providing repairs and/or replacement of residential sewer service laterals within the public right-of-way (ROW) and partnering with Utility Service Partners (USP) to outsource maintenance which will cost 50 cents per month for each residential sewer customer. To accomplish City Council's direction, Staff proposes the following revisions to the ordinance:
1. Clarify maintenance responsibilities of the City and the property owner. The warranty pricing at $.50/month is for single family, two family, 3 unit, and 4 unit properties, as well as mobile home properties with individual service only. Accordingly, the ordinance has been revised to state that single family, two family, 3 unit, and 4 unit property owners would maintain the sewer service lateral from the building to the ROW. All other property owners would maintain the sewer service lateral from the building to the main. The City would maintain the sewer service lateral for single family, two family, 3 unit, and 4 unit properties within the ROW.
2. Revise sewer rates to add $.50 to the minimum flat rate for single family, two family, 3 unit, 4 unit, and mobile home property customers. The rate for commercial, apartments, and motels will not change because these are not included in the warranty program.
3. Adds a $75 fee per callout if a leak/blockage is determined to be on a portion of the sewer service lateral that is not maintained by the City.
The proposal also renumbers a section of the ordinance and clarifies the definition of sewage.
THE ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED:
In order to implement the direction previously given to City Staff, the City Council would need to adopt the ordinance amendments and associated Outsourcing and Marketing Agreements with USP.
Which alternative is recommended? Why?
In order to implement the direction previously given to City Staff, the City Council would need to adopt the ordinance amendments and associated Outsourcing and Marketing Agreements with USP. This allows the City to provide repairs and/or replacements of sewer service laterals in the ROW and to outsource maintenance to USP and provides an additional service to residential sewer customers.
CONFORMITY TO CITY POLICY:
The proposed ordinance conforms to City policy.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
What is the amount of the expenditure in the current fiscal year? For future years?
Staff has calculated that the 50 cents per month added to each residential sewer customer’s base bill will pay for the warranty services by UPS; therefore, there will be no net expenditure if all actions related to this item are approved.
Is this a one-time or recurring expenditure?
Expenses and revenues will be recurring as long as this program is in effect.
Is this expenditure budgeted?
The expenditures and revenues are not contained in the adopted budget.
If not, where will the money come from?
There will be no net expenditure or revenues if all actions related to this item are approved.
Is there a sufficient amount in the budgeted line-item for this expenditure?
N/A
RECOMMENDATION:
In order to implement the direction previously given, the City Council would need to approve the ordinance amending Chapter 30 Water, Sewers, and Sewage Disposal by providing for maintenance of sewer services lines and amending sewer rates.
DEPARTMENTAL CLEARANCES:
Public Works
Finance
City Attorney
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
Ordinance