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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/18/2019 06F Metering of Wastewater Utility Connection; YMC Amendments Ch. 7.12, 7.50, & 7.60 to\'4\lyy tbxk ik 1 • 1.:41 P p P 1 PPi ittYlltYlt.\ta. BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL YAKIMA, WASHINGTON AGENDA STATEM ENT Item No. 6.F. For Meeting of: June 18, 2019 ITEM TITLE: Ordinance amending the City of Yakima Municipal Code Chapters 7.12, 7.50, and 7.60 regarding metering of wastewater utility connections SUBMITTED BY: Scott Schafer, Director of Public Works David Brown,Assistant Director of Public Works James Dean, Utility Customer Services Manager Mike Price, Wastewater/Stormwater Manager 249-6815 SUMMARY EXPLANATION: The Wastewater Division requests that Yakima Municipal Code (YMC) chapters related to the metering of wastewater utility connections be amended to improve billing accuracy and increase the utilization of the City's automatic meter reading system. The proposed amendments improve billing accuracy by eliminating the need for legacy meters that are prone to failure and inaccurate measurements. The amendments also improve utilization of the City's automated meter reading system by requiring the installation of meters that are properly located, maintained, and compatible with the City's automatic meter reading system. ITEM BUDGETED: NA STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Public Trust and Accountability APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL: )11 City Manager STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Pass Ordinance BOARD/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: 2 ATTACHMENTS: Description Upload Date Type D Metering Ordinances-Tracked Chances 5'23'2019 Ordinance 0 nrfl Final 6/12/2019 Cthcr Memo 3 ORDINANCE NO. 2019- AN ORDINANCE relating to required meters for wastewater utility services; amending Sections 7.12.030, 7.50.060, 7.50.110, 7.50.120, and 7.60.050 of the Yakima Municipal Code regarding metering of wastewater utility connections. WHEREAS, the City Council has previously adopted ordinances establishing criteria for acquisition and installation of meters required for wastewater utility connections within the City of Yakima; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds and determines that such Sections 7.12.030, 7.50.060, 7.50.110, and 7.60.050 YMC should be amended to clarify existing standards and procedures, and to facilitate operation and administration of the automated meter reading system installed for such wastewater utility; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds and determines that such amendment is in the best interest of residents of the City of Yakima and will promote the efficient operation and administration of the public utility, and will promote the general health, safety and welfare; now, therefore BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF YAKIMA: Section 1. YMC 7.12.030 Installation of measuring device—Apportionment of annual, diverted flow and connection charges, is hereby amended to read as follows: 7.12.030 Installation of measuring device—Apportionment of annual, diverted flow and connection charges. A. Installation of Meter. The city shall require the user to acquire and install at the user's expense a measuring device for each user, to measure and record the liquid wastes contributed to the food processing wastewater system. The city shall designate the specifications of thoa measuring device ;in E e. insiad ed that is compatible with the citv's automated meter reading system. The user must calibrate and maintain that measuring device according to the manufacturer specifications. The city shall be granted has access to ' the measuring devices st2Itimes for inspection, verification and inspection of calibration and maintenance records, and takoto obtain readings_ B. Apportionment of Annual Service Charge. The total annual service charge shall be apportioned among the users directly in proportion to the total amount of wastes contributed during the previous calendar year. C. Diverted Flow. Food processing wastewater discharge flow which, for any reason, is diverted from the food processing wastewater system to the sanitary wastewater collection system. For ue,e in this chapter, such flow shall be called "diverted flow." The fee for this diverted flow shall be as set forth in YMC 7.60. 020. D. Connection Charge. A connection fee shall be imposed on the owner of any food processing facility to be connected to the food processing wastewater system. The connection * fee shall be established at the time of application for connection. The wastewater superintendent shall establish said fee in an amount sufficient to allocate to the applicant an equitable share of the cost of the existing food processing wastewater system and a reasonable estimate of the actual cost of connection (including costs associated with expanding the food processing systen). (Ord. U7'l3 § l8. lUU7: Ord. U4'7U § 3. lUU4: Ord. B'2l32. lU58; Ord. B' 2O7G § 3). Section 2. YMC 7.50.060 Private meters., is hereby amended to read as follows: 7.5O.OGO Private mnetery., wastewater deduct meters Where the use of water is such that a portion of all water used is lost by evaporation, risus*ed-innorporstedinkl nnanufantu red goods and oonnnnodities. and the oustonnerprovides proof ofthis fact, the city utility services manager may authorize the installation ofy measuring device to measure the amount of such water loss ur use. The measuring device proposed for installation shall be approved by the city utility services manager prior to installation. The city shall desiqnate the make and model of a specific measuring device V.,, t)e instw|ecj that is compatible with the citV's automated meter reading system and make that mea5uririq device available for purchase by the user. The user must calibrate and maintain that measuring device according to the manufacturer specifications. The city shall hn granted have access to said the measuring devices at al| times for inspection, verification of calibration and maintenance records, and sholl ta4eto obtain readings. The mea5uririq device will to enable measurement of the amount of vvatersousedor |ost,,,nuNovvastevvateroharQesha|| bennadefortheannountofvvatersoused or lost, except that in no case will the minimum wastewater charge be reduced. Direct discharge of wastewater to fresh water or to points other than the city wastewater system shall not be cause for adjustment or reduction of the wastewater service charge. Deduct meters will not be installed tn measure water being used for irrigation. Customers using domestic water for irrigation purposes will be set up on a summer sewer base. are ci;g;bic for a YMC /.5 12O \Yatc| u:ndfn| irrigztinn. ({}rd. 2OOG'O7 § l4. 2OOG). Seotion3. YMC7.5O.11O Meter access is hereby amended to read asfollows: 7.5O.11O Meter access. A. A minimum of twelve inches of clearance on each side of the city meter tile must be maintained to allow access to the city water meter. B. Private meters, s provided for in Chapters 7.12 or 7.50 or 7.60 YMC ,.must be located 6ther outside any building, fenced or secured area, of inareadi|yaooessib|ep|aoe or -ccurcd area for inspection, verification, to obtain readings and to allowthe signalgenerated by the measuring device to be read by the city's automated meter reading device. (Ord. 2006-07 § 19. 2006). Sectiol YMC7.5O.l2O Water used for irrigation not tobe charged as wastewater is hereby amended to read asfollows: 7.5O.12O Water used for irrigation not tobe charged aywastewater. he portion of domestic water used exclusively for irrigation shall not be charged correspondingly for s wastewater. Single fanilyoxck]oncc:Custonne|x will boset up en a summer sewer base. aA deduct noeterwill not be installed or used to measure domestic water used for irrigation purposes.,E-and are not requirod to install a meter to mca�urc watcr used for ;rrigafion. Upon application, where it can be shown to the satisfaction of the oih/ utility services manager that the water consumption used to determine charges for wastewater is higher during the summer months due to some water being used for irrigation, the wastewater charge for the summer period may be adjusted to reflect the quantity of domestic water used for irrigation based upon the winter months' water consumption. Cvnnrnc/cb|, Gansume-Fs�ustomers who have installed domestic water service exclusively for irrigation use will not be billed for the wastewater service charge provided for inChapterT.^8Ovvithout regard to date of commencement or termination of service, subject only to the minimum billings provided for inY'MC7,50,Ji0(C). ({}rd. 2OOG'O7 § 2O. 2OOG). Seotion5. YMC7.GO.O5O Meters required — Penalty for violations— Rates for metered | and unnnetered premises, is hereby amended to read asfollows: 7.60.050 Meters required—Penalty for violations—Rates for metered and unmetered premises. A. Meters Required--Pena|h/. Commencing September l. lU77. all premises thereafter newly connected or reconnected to the wastewater system shall have a meter, approved by the city utility services manager, installed to measure either the quantity of water supplied to the premises or the quantity of wastewater discharged into the wastewater system; and it shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to thereafter connect any premises so as to be served by the wastewater system without installing a meter as required by this subsection. VVhere water is supplied to a premise from a source that is not a public water supply a measuring device shall bn installed atthe user's expense. The city shall designate the make and model of a specific measuring device to be ;nstwled that is compatible with the city's automated meter reading system and make that measuring device available for Purchase by the user. The user must calibrate and maintain that measuring device according to the manufacturer specifications. The city shall be granted access to the meter for inspection, verification of calibration and maintenance records, and to obtain readings. Any property connected to the wastewater system prior to September l. lU77. shall have a meter, approved by the utility services manager, installed to measure either the quantity of water supplied to the premises or the quantity of wastewater discharged into the wastewater system. VVhere water is supplied to a premise from a source that is riot a public water supply a measuring device shall be installed at the user's expense. The city shall designate the make and model of a specific measuring device that is compatible with the city's automated meter reading system and make that measuring device available for purchase by the user. The user must calibrate and maintain that measuring device according to the manufacturer specifications. The city shall be granted access to the meter for inspection, verification of calibration and maintenance records, and to obtain readings. This installation shall be made the first time the property changes ownership after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this section. Any person, firm or corporation who connects any premises so as to be served by the wastewater system in violation of this subsection shall upon conviction thereof be subject to a 6 fee not exceeding two hundred fifty dollars or subject to imprisonment in the city jail facility for a term not exceeding ninety days. B. Rates for Metered Premises. All premises served by either city domestic water service or by some other source of domestic water and which have meters to measure all water supplies which are ultimately discharged into the city wastewater system shall pay wastewater service charges according to the rates specified in YMC 7.60.020 or 7.6S0.025, and all premises which have meters to measure the quantity of wastewater discharged into the wastewater system shall likewise pay wastewater service charges according to the rates specified in YMC 7.60.020 or 7.60.025. 60 025. C. Rates for Unmetered Premises. Premises with existing connections to the city wastewater system, but which have no meter to measure either the domestic water supplied to the premises or the wastewater discharged therefrom, shall be charged a wastewater service charge according to rates specified in YMC 7.60 020 or 7.660.025 in an amount determined by the wastewater manager to be based on the average charge for wastewater service to similar premises. (Ord. 2007-65 § 7, 2007: Ord. 2006-07 § 23, 2006: Ord. 2003-75 § 7, 2003). Section 6. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect 30 days after its passage, approval, and publication as provided by law and by the City Charter. PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL, signed and approved this 18'h day of June, 2019. Kathy Coffey, Mayor ATTEST: Sonya Clear Tee, City Clerk Publication Date: 7 ORDINANCE NO. 2019- AN ORDINANCE relating to required meters for wastewater utility services; amending Sections 7.12.030, 7.50.060, 7.50.110, 7.50.120, and 7.60.050 of the Yakima Municipal Code regarding metering of wastewater utility connections. WHEREAS, the City Council has previously adopted ordinances establishing criteria for acquisition and installation of meters required for wastewater utility connections within the City of Yakima; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds and determines that such Sections 7.12.030, 7.50.060, 7.50.110, 7.50.120 and 7.60.050 YMC should be amended to clarify existing standards and procedures, and to facilitate operation and administration of the automated meter reading system installed for such wastewater utility; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds and determines that such amendment is in the best interest of residents of the City of Yakima and will promote the efficient operation and administration of the public utility, and will promote the general health, safety and welfare; now, therefore BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF YAKIMA: Section 1. YMC 7.12.030 Installation of measuring device—Apportionment of annual, diverted flow and connection charges, is hereby amended to read as follows: 7.12.030 Installation of measuring device—Apportionment of annual, diverted flow and connection charges. A. Installation of Meter. The city shall require the user to acquire and install at the user's expense a measuring device for each user, to measure and record the liquid wastes contributed to the food processing wastewater system. The city shall designate the specifications of a measuring device to be installed that is compatible with the city's automated meter reading system. The user must calibrate and maintain that measuring device according to the manufacturer specifications. The city shall be granted access to the measuring devices at all times for inspection, verification and inspection of calibration and maintenance records, and to obtain readings. B. Apportionment of Annual Service Charge. The total annual service charge shall be apportioned among the users directly in proportion to the total amount of wastes contributed during the previous calendar year. C. Diverted Flow. Food processing wastewater discharge flow which, for any reason, is diverted from the food processing wastewater system to the sanitary wastewater collection system shall be called "diverted flow." The fee for this diverted flow shall be as set forth in YMC 7.60.020. D. Connection Charge. A connection fee shall be imposed on the owner of any food processing facility to be connected to the food processing wastewater system. The connection fee shall be established at the time of application for connection. The wastewater 8 superintendent shall establish said fee in an amount sufficient to allocate to the applicant an equitable share of the cost of the existing food processing wastewater system and a reasonable estimate of the actual cost of connection (including costs associated with expanding the food processing system). (Ord. 97-13 § 18, 1997: Ord. 94-79 § 3, 1994: Ord. B-2132, 1958; Ord. B- 2076 § 3). Section 2. YMC 7.50.060 Private meters, is hereby amended to read as follows: 7.50.060 Private meters, wastewater deduct meters Where the use of water is such that a portion of all water used is lost by evaporation, or is incorporated into manufactured goods and commodities, and the customer provides proof of this fact, the city utility services manager may authorize the installation of a measuring device to measure the amount of such water loss or use. The measuring device proposed for installation shall be approved by the city utility services manager prior to installation. The city shall designate the make and model of a specific measuring device to be installed that is compatible with the city's automated meter reading system and make that measuring device available for purchase by the user. The user must calibrate and maintain that measuring device according to the manufacturer specifications. The city shall be granted access to the measuring devices at all times for inspection, verification of calibration and maintenance records, and to obtain readings. The measuring device will enable measurement of the amount of water so used or lost. No wastewater charge shall be made for the amount of water so used or lost, except that in no case will the minimum wastewater charge be reduced. Direct discharge of wastewater to fresh water or to points other than the city wastewater system shall not be cause for adjustment or reduction of the wastewater service charge. Deduct meters will not be installed to measure water being used for irrigation. Customers using domestic water for irrigation purposes will be set up on a summer sewer base. YMC 7.50.1 20 . (Ord. 2006-07 § 14, 2006). Section 3. YMC 7.50.110 Meter access is hereby amended to read as follows: 7.50.110 Meter access. A. A minimum of twelve inches of clearance on each side of the city meter tile must be maintained to allow access to the city water meter. B. Private meters, as provided for in Chapters 7.12 or 7.50 or 7.60 YMC, must be located in a readily accessible place for inspection, verification, to obtain readings and to allow the signal generated by the measuring device to be read by the city's automated meter reading device. (Ord. 2006-07 § 19, 2006). Section 4. YMC 7.50.120 Water used for irrigation not to be charged as wastewater is hereby amended to read as follows: 7.50.120 Water used for irrigation not to be charged as wastewater. The portion of domestic water used exclusively for irrigation shall not be charged correspondingly for wastewater. Customers that use domestic water for irrigation will be set up on a summer sewer base. A deduct meter will not be installed or used to measure domestic water used for irrigation purposes. Upon application, where it can be shown to the satisfaction of the city utility services manager that the water consumption used to determine charges for wastewater is higher during the summer months due to some water being used for irrigation, the wastewater charge for the summer period may be adjusted to reflect the quantity of domestic water used for irrigation based upon the winter months' water consumption. Customers who have installed 9 domestic water service exclusively for irrigation use will not be billed for the wastewater service charge provided for in Chapter 7.60 without regard to date of commencement or termination of service, subject only to the minimum billings provided for in YMC 7.50.010(C). (Ord. 2006-07 § 20, 2006). Section 5. YMC 7.60.050 Meters required— Penalty for violations— Rates for metered and unmetered premises, is hereby amended to read as follows: 7.60.050 Meters required—Penalty for violations—Rates for metered and unmetered premises. A. Meters Required—Penalty. Commencing September 1, 1977, all premises thereafter newly connected or reconnected to the wastewater system shall have a meter, approved by the city utility services manager, installed to measure either the quantity of water supplied to the premises or the quantity of wastewater discharged into the wastewater system; and it shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to thereafter connect any premises so as to be served by the wastewater system without installing a meter as required by this subsection. Where water is supplied to a premise from a source that is not a public water supply a measuring device shall be installed at the user's expense. The city shall designate the make and model of a specific measuring device to be installed that is compatible with the city's automated meter reading system and make that measuring device available for purchase by the user. The user must calibrate and maintain that measuring device according to the manufacturer specifications. The city shall be granted access to the meter for inspection, verification of calibration and maintenance records, and to obtain readings. Any property connected to the wastewater system prior to September 1, 1977, shall have a meter, approved by the utility services manager, installed to measure either the quantity of water supplied to the premises or the quantity of wastewater discharged into the wastewater system. Where water is supplied to a premise from a source that is not a public water supply a measuring device shall be installed at the user's expense. The city shall designate the make and model of a specific measuring device that is compatible with the city's automated meter reading system and make that measuring device available for purchase by the user. The user must calibrate and maintain that measuring device according to the manufacturer specifications. The city shall be granted access to the meter for inspection, verification of calibration and maintenance records, and to obtain readings. This installation shall be made the first time the property changes ownership after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this section. Any person, firm or corporation who connects any premises so as to be served by the wastewater system in violation of this subsection shall upon conviction thereof be subject to a fee not exceeding two hundred fifty dollars or subject to imprisonment in the city jail facility for a term not exceeding ninety days. B. Rates for Metered Premises. All premises served by either city domestic water service or by some other source of domestic water and which have meters to measure all water supplies which are ultimately discharged into the city wastewater system shall pay wastewater service charges according to the rates specified in YMC 1760.020 or 1760.025, and all premises which have meters to measure the quantity of wastewater discharged into the wastewater system shall likewise pay wastewater service charges according to the rates specified in YMC 7.60.020 or 7.60.025. 10 C. Rates for Unmetered Premises. Premises with existing connections to the city wastewater system, but which have no meter to measure either the domestic water supplied to the premises or the wastewater discharged therefrom, shall be charged a wastewater service charge according to rates specified in YMC ?.60.020 or 7.60.025 in an amount determined by the wastewater manager to be based on the average charge for wastewater service to similar premises. (Ord. 2007-65 § 7, 2007: Ord. 2006-07 § 23, 2006: Ord. 2003-75 § 7, 2003). Section 6. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect 30 days after its passage, approval, and publication as provided by law and by the City Charter. PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL, signed and approved this 18'h day of June, 2019. Kathy Coffey, Mayor ATTEST: Sonya Clear Tee, City Clerk Publication Date: Effective Date: