12-13-1999 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Request for Council Action continued Page 2 December 13, 1999 Policy on Cost Allocation for Sewer Projects City policy also provides a distinction between projects for assessment purposes. Projects are now classified as either a "mandatory' or "voluntary" project. A mandatory project is required in neighborhoods with a large number of failing septic systems, and no availability of adequate replacement septic sites. Failing septic systems are systems with cesspools or surface discharge of effluent creating a public health hazard. The North Long Lake and Orono Orchards projects were mandatory projects. Voluntary projects are for neighborhoods with nonconforming septic systems. Nonconforming septic systems are systems that do not meet a three-foot separation from the seasonal high ground water level. Nonconforming systems are not an imminent threat to public health. These neighborhoods also generally have replacement septic sites which the owners may not want to use because of loss of trees or yard space. Sewer is being offered to these neighborhoods, as the most desirable permanent solution, on a voluntary basis. If the property owners are interested in sewer, they have to agree to be assessed for all of the project costs. In summary, recent changes have resulted in resident questions regarding cost allocation policies for sanitary sewer projects. These changes are the sew ering of isolated neighborhoods not adjacent to existing MUSA areas, the Metropolitan Council provision of additional sewer units that greatly simplify sewering of properties outside the MUSA line, and changes in the Cin’s assessment policies. One of the three projects that required long forcemains from the existing neighborhoods to existing sewer facilities was the North Long Lake/ Long Lake Countiy Club project. This project was constructed in 1997. Four additional properties along North Brown Road were connected to sewer using the additional Metropolitan Council sewer units. This was a mandatory project with a City subsidy to limit the project assessments to the benefits received from the project. The issue of cost allocation, for the long sections of forcemain outside of the sewered neighborhoods, was not a resident issue for this project. This reason for this was probably because of the reduced project assessments. The other two projects that will require long forcemains from the neighborhoods to e.xisting sewer facilities are the Webber Hills and Fox Ridge projects. These are both voluntaiy projects in which the residents w ill be assessed for all of the project costs. The public hearing for Webber Hills has already been held and plans and specifications are being prepared. The issue of cost allocation for the long forcemain was not an issue for the residents. A public hearing for the Fox Ridge project was held, and the residents were questioning the cost allocation for the forcemain along South Brown Road to the City of Long Lake. The plan presented to the neighborhood was to assess the costs for the entire project, including the Brown Road forcemain to the Fox Ridge residents. They were concerned about paying for the Brown Road