09-08-1997 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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r i REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION Department Approval: Name Ron Moorse Title City Administrator DATE: September 4, 1997 ^ ITEM NO 'V Administrator Reviewed:Agenda Sectidv^ City Administrator’s Report % Item Description: Policy Regarding Inclusion of Properties in Sanitary Sewer Project - Resolution The city’s policy regarding the inclusion of properties in a sewer project area has been that if a property is within a project area and the sewer line passes the property, the property is in the project, regardless of the size of the lot or the condition of the septic system. A property on the fringe of the project area can be excluded from the project if the property has a minimum of 2 acres, a septic system meeting all code requirements, and an alternate septic site. As the city has undertaken projects using the current policy, the city has found that the timing of a sewer project is not always in sync with the timing of the need for septic system replacements. At the point a project is undertaken, the various properties in the project area are at various stages in relation to their septic systems. Some have systems that are failing and require immediate replacement, while others have installed new systems a very short time prior to the project being identified or reviewed. Because of the timing problem, when the city undertakes a project there will be those who cannot obtain the sewer soon enough, and those who just installed a new septic system and don't want to pay again for sewer. The situation where a property in a proposed sewer area has a newer, code compliant septic system will appear more often as the city deals with more, but smaller, neighborhoods who decide they want sewer versus septic. There will probably always be one or two properties who have recently replaced their septic systems. Proposed New Policy To address the timing problem of new septic systems versus new sewer projects. Council directed that the policy regarding inclusion in a sewer project be changed to enable a property with a newly upgraded septic system that meets all current code requirements to opt out of the sewer project. The resolution provides that the age of the septic system can be amaximum of seven years. The Council may want to increase or decrease this number; or may determine that the age of the system is not relevant, as long as the system is in compliance with all current code requirements. The Council also directed that the policy provide that the owner of the property can decide at any time in the future to connect to the sewer system. The property will then pay a connection charge equal to the full per unit cost of the initial sewer project increased by a cost of living factor on an annual basis. A resolution setting out this policy change is attached for Council adoption. COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED: Motion to adopt a resolution amending the city's policy regarding inclusion of properties in sanitary sewer projects.