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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-03-02 Council Minutes - Work SessionKENAI CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION TITLE 17, SUGGESTED AMENDMENTS MARCH 2, 2005 6:00 P.M. KENAI CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS MAYOR PAT PORTER, PRESIDING NOTES Council Present: Joe Moore, Rick Ross, Cliff Massie, Pat Porter, Blain Gilman, and Jim Butler Staff Present: City Clerk Freas, City Attorney Graves, City Manager Linda Snow, Building Official Springer, Public Works Managers Kornelis and La Shot Mayor Porter opened the work session at approximately 6:00 p.m. Public Works Manager Kornelis reviewed his memorandum included with the packet of information, noting the goals in making the proposed changes to the regulations. Kornelis also distributed an updated regulations and rates comparison of Kenai (present and proposed) , Soldotna, Homer, Seward, Anchorage and Wasilla. Each "major change" included in the February 2, 2005 memorandum was reviewed and discussed as follows: 1. The property owner is responsible for the water and sewer service lines from the structure to the main line. Prior ordinance had the City responsible for the "connection" (main line to property line) even if the line was plugged by the owner. Currently, the extension and connection from the house to the main, if frozen, is the responsibility of the property owner for repair. It is proposed for this to continue as written. Currently, for a plugged sewer line, if it is in the extension from the property line to the main, it is the owner's responsibility; if it is from the connection to the main, it is the city's responsibility. Proposed change: It is the owner's responsibility if the plug is in the extension or the connection (the whole service line) . He explained, in most instances it is the property owner installing the line to the main, however the city inspects it; in many instances, the plug is from items flushed into the line. Because the water/ sewer system is like a co-op, the rest of the members of the co-op should not be responsible in paying for costs incurred to repair the line caused by another member of the co-op. Exceptions are included in the code. If the problem occurs from somewhere else in the line and it is not known from where, the city assumes the cost of repair (current policy and no change is being requested to it) . Council made no suggestions for change. 2. The water and sewer permit is valid for six (6) months and the cost was increased from $100 to $200. KENAI CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MARCH 2, 2005 PAGE 2 The six month validity would not mean someone would have to pay again and will allow better tracking. The increase to $200 was suggested by finance. Administration was requested to further investigate the expansion fee. Council suggested the city notify (by postcard) prior to the expiration date of the permit. Also, a change from six months to one year for both Items 2 and 3. 3. There is no charge for water or sewer from when the permit is paid for six (6) months unless there is a final inspection or the building is occupied, in which case appropriate monthly charges start. Council suggested a change from six months to one year for both Items 2 and 3. 4. Property owners are required to contact the City to apply for water and sewer services, change in service, discontinuance of service or whenever they alter their building. No changes suggested by council. 5. Owners of new commercial buildings are required to furnish and install water meters with a remote reading. This will require meters on new commercial buildings or if an old building is modified. No changes suggested by council. 6. The fee for turning the water service off or on (except for the first time) was increased from $10 to $50 during normal duty hours and from $20 to $100 for overtime hours. This includes water turn off and on for non-payment of services. Council suggested changing the fee for 'normal duty hours' from $50 to $25. Council had no objections for the increase of fee for overtime hours ($100). 7. Property owners would now be allowed to suspend water and sewer service but will have to pay for the water turn off and on. Council suggested no suspension of water/ sewer service be allowed (the rest of the users would not have to absorb the costs of the lack of payments from others who may leave for winter months; fire service is maintained all year; less administrative headaches, etc.) . 8. Service customers will have to maintain their grease, oil, and sand interceptors to remove grease or oil -laden wastes. KENAI CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MARCH 2 2005 PAGE 3 Will place more responsibility on the business owner with dumping of grease, etc. in order to keep sewer mains unplugged by grease. The building code currently requires traps. This will require the owner to maintain records of emptying the grease, etc. Some retrofitting may be required. Council made no suggested changes. 9. The customer deposit was raised from $20 to $50 for each service (refunded after two years). Council made no suggested changes. 10. Using a fire hydrant requires a deposit of $200 (increased from $150) and the cost of water was increased from $30/day to $40/day (or at metered rate). Council made no suggested changes. Administration agreed with Council Member Ross relating to "discontinuation of service" and will make changes to the language to read "after 21 day's notice." Administration was requested to review private self-contained water system at KMC 17.10.040 and 17.20.040. It was determined no further work session would be required to further review the changes. However, updated materials would be included with the ordinance at its introduction. Ross requested the ordinance not be included on the consent agenda for introduction in order to receive two public hearings. No objections were noted. The work session ended at approximately 6:50 p.m. Notes prepared by: 4 / . -Izte� Carol L. Freas, City Clerk APPROVED BY COUNCIL PqTR 6TY CLERK