CR 98-10 1st Reading Amendments To Public Utilities Ordinances9
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January 2, 1998 ` " ` ? Council Report 98 -010
First Reading
Consider Amendments to the Public Utilities Ordinance
Proposed Action.
Staff recommends adoption of the following motion Move that Council
approve for first reading Ordinance 98 -810, an ordinance amending the Public
Utilities ordinance
Overview.
On November 5, 1997 City Council authorized Phase I of a city-wide sump
pump inspection program. The proposed ordinance amendments include
minor changes and additions to complement the sump pump inspection
program.
Primary Issues to Consider.
Supporting Information.
• Summary of Code revisions
• Sump Pump Inspection Schedule
• Proposed Ordinance 98 -810
• Hopkins City Code, Section 705, with proposed changes
Steven J. Stadler, Public Works Director
Council Report 98 -010
Page 2
Analysis of Issues.
• Summary of Code revisions
The current City Code includes most elements necessary to support the sump
pump inspections program, including: prohibition of clear water connections,
City authority to inspect property and sewer surcharge fee. The proposed
revisions do the following:
• Adds the words "sump pump" in several locations.
• Allows for re- inspection of sump pump connections and penalty
provision for those found violating code upon re- inspection.
• Requires permit for any drainage piping which discharge clear
water directly into the storm sewer system.
• Dictates discharge design standards, i.e., permanent, year round
discharge installation, rigid discharge line, etc.
• Requires compliance on all new dwellings before certificate of
occupancy is issues.
Sump Pump Inspection Schedule
The schedule is as follows:
January 13, 1998 Council work session - Present communication/education
program specifics to City Council
January 26 - 30, 1998 - Meet with area plumbers & suppliers
February 2 - 6, 1998 - Initial Public Information Meeting
February 9, 1998 - Begin inspections
March 27, 1998 - Complete inspections
April 30, 1998 - Complete final report of Phase I inspection results
CITY OF HOPKINS
Hennepin County, Minnesota
ORDINANCE 98 -810
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE PUBLIC UTILITY ORDINANCE
That the Hopkins City Code Section 705 Sanitary Sewer System be and the same is hereby
amended by amending and/or adding the following sections:
Hopkins City Code (Rev. ) 705.05, Subd. 15
Subd. 15. Authority to inspect. The Water Superintendent or other city inspectors
may at reasonable times enter upon the premises drained by a house drain and or sump pump
which is and connected with a public sewer to determine whether the provisions of this code in
regard to house drains and sump pumps have been complied with. If a sump pump, drain or its
attachments do not conform to the provisions of the code, the Water Superintendent will notify
the owner of the premises. The owner must repair or reconstruct as to make the drain or sump
pump conform within 45 30 days from the time of receiving the notice. (Added Ord. #92 -710)
Hopkins City Code (Rev. ) 705.09, Subd. 1
705.09 Connection to Sterol Sanitary Sewer. Subdivision 1. Prohibited Discharges. No
person shall discharge or cause to be discharged any stormwater, groundwater, roof runoff, yard
drainage, yard fountain, pond overflow, or any substance other than sanitary sewage into the
sanitary collection system. Use of a sump pump discharge for these purposes is illegal.
a) No roof runoff, sump pump, subsurface or surface water drainage shall be connected to
the sanitary sewer system and no building shall hereafter be constructed nor shall any
existing buildings be hereafter altered in such a manner that the roof drainage or any
other source of discharge or drainage other than sanitary sewer shall connect with the
sanitary sewer system inside or outside the building.
b) Any person, firm, or corporation having a roof, sump pump, cistern overflow pipe,
subsurface or surface in violation of Subdivision 1 drain now connected or discharging
into the sanitary sewer system shall disconnect and remove it within 30 days after
written notice from the City Manager and install the necessary pipes, plumbing fixtures,
and appliances and otherwise connect said drainage with and into the storm sewer
system in compliance with this Ordinance which shall be verified by City inspection.
All disconnects or openings in the sanitary sewer shall be closed or repaired in an
effective, workmanlike manner in accordance with City codes and policies.
c) Every person owning improved real estate that discharges in the fashion above
described into the city sanitary sewer system shall allow a representative of the city to
inspect the buildings and property to confirm the absence or correction of such
prohibited discharge to the sanitary sewer system. Any person refusing to allow such
property to be inspected shall promptly become subject to the penalties and remedies of
the City as provided in its policy and codes including, but not limited to, assessments,
charges, attorney fees and court costs in achieving compliance and in addition shall be
subject to the surcharge hereinafter provided for, until the inspection is allowed
and/or Code Compliance is met.
d) A surcharge of $100.00 per month is imposed and shall be added to every utility billing
mailed to properties refusing or failing compliance or inspection as herein provided.
The surcharge shall be added to every monthly billing until the property is in
compliance or inspection has been permitted. In addition to such surcharge, the City
retains all rights and remedies available to it including, but not limited to, obtaining a
Court Order directing compliance allowing inspection or permitting the City to correct
the violation and certify such costs as a special assessment against the property. All
properties found during annual reinspections, by the City or its agents, to have
violated this Ordinance will be subject to the $100 /month penalty for all months
between the two most recent sump pump inspections. (Section 705.09,
Subd. 1 amended by Ord. #93 - 730)
Hopkins City Code (Rev. ) 705.09, Subd. 2
Subd. 2. Storm sewer: sanitary sewers: separate. In making the pipe and other
installations and connections required by subdivision 1, no pipes shall be installed or connections
made in such a manner that any water requiring sanitary sewage disposal treatment enters into the
storm sewer system; no pipes shall be installed or connections made in any manner so that any
water not requiring sanitary sewage treatment shall enter into the sanitary sewer system. The
City will require a permit for any drainage piping or pumps which will discharge clear
water from any structure or basement, directly into a storm sewer system. This permitting
process shall follow the permit procedures outlined in 705.03 in accordance with City
standards (see 705.14). Anyone discharging non - contact cooling water must meet the
MPCA Requirements and Permits for this activity.
Hopkins City Code (Rev. ) 705.14
705.14. Sump Puma Discharge Design Standards. Dwellings and other buildings and
structures which require, because of infiltration of water into basements, crawl spaces, and
the like, a sump pump discharge system, shall have a permanently installed discharge line
which shall not at any time discharge clear water into the sanitary sewer system, except as
provided herein. A permanent installation shall be one which provides for year round
discharge capability to either the outside of the dwelling, building, or structure, or is
connected to City storm sewer or discharge through the curb and gutter to the street. It
shall consist of a rigid discharge line, without valving or quick connections for altering the
path of discharge, and if connected to the City storm sewer line, include a check valve and
an air gap located in a small diameter structure as shown in the City's standard plates.
Hopkins City Code (Rev. ) 705.15
705.15 Disconnection. Before March 30, 1998, any person, firm, or corporation
having a roof surface, groundwater sump pump, or footing tile, now connected and/or
discharging into the sanitary sewer system shall disconnect or remove same. Any
disconnects or openings in the sanitary sewer system shall be closed or repaired in an
effective, workmanlike manner.
Hopkins City Code (Rev. ) 705.16
705.16 Sump Pump Discharge Inspections. Every person owning improved real
estate, with a sump pump, that discharges into the City's sanitary sewer system shall allow
an employee of the City of Hopkins or a designated representative of the City to inspect the
buildings to confirm that there is no sump pump or other prohibited discharge into the
sanitary sewer system. In lieu of having the City inspect their property, any person may
furnish a certificate from a licensed plumber certifying that their property is in compliance
with this ordinance.
Hopkins City Code (Rev. ) 705.17
705.17. Future Inspections. Each sump pump connection identified will be
re- inspected periodically.
Hopkins City Code (Rev. ) 705.18
705 -18. New Construction. All new dwellings with sump pumps for which a building
permit is issued after March 30, 1998, shall have a pump and shall be piped to the outside
of the dwelling before a certificate of occupancy is issued.
First Reading: January 6, 1998
Second Reading: January 20, 1998
Date of Publication: January 28, 1998
Date Ordinance Takes Effect: February 17, 1998
ATTEST:
Terry Obermaier, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY
City Attorney Signature Date
Charles D. Redepenning, Mayor
Hopkins City Code (Rev. 8/92) 705.01
Section 705 - Sanitary sewer system
705.01. Tap; license required. No person may tap or make any perforation or
opening of any kind in a sanitary sewer pipe, or make connection to a sanitary
sewer main or building sewer in the city, without first having obtained the
licenses and permits and paid the fees required by this code.
705.03. Sewer connection. Subdivision 1. Permit. No public sewer shall be
. tapped or connection made thereto from any lot, piece or parcel of land without
first securing a written permit to do so from the building official upon proper
written application therefore and paying the required fees. (Amended Ord. #92-
710)
Subd. 2. Application for permit. Applications shall be made upon forms
to be provided therefor by the city and require the following information:
a)exact legal description of premises for which sewer connection is
applied, including plat and parcel number;
b)address of premises;
c)name and address of plumber or other contractor;
d)name and address of owner of premises;
e)date of opening and installation of connection;
f)general description of type and method of connection to be used or made;
and
g)such other pertinent information as the building official may require.
Subd. 3. Charges. The following charges shall accompany the application:
a)the charges set by Council resolution;
b) if, for the parcel described in such application, the city has not been
reimbursed or otherwise secured for said parcel's proportionate
beneficial share of the special benefit and total cost of the
construction and installation of the public sewers within the project
district or area in or from which the parcel is to be served, the
applicant shall pay an additional sum equal to that proportionate share
of such special benefit and cost which said parcel bears to such entire
area or district and which was specially assessed or charged for said
public improvement, plus interest on said sum at the rate of seven
percent per annum from the date or dates of the original construction or
installation of such public improvements to the date of the issuance of
the connection permits. (Amended Ord. #92 - 710)
Hopkins City Code (Rev. 8/92) 705.03 Subd. 4
Subd. 4. Sewer Connections. Connections with a public sewer or drain may
illbe made only by licensed plumbers or authorized city employees. (Added Ord. #92-
710)
Subd. 5. Special fund. Sums received under subdivision 3 shall be
deposited or paid into a special assessment fund or account and may be credited
to the special assessments which may have been previously levied for sewer
improvements involving the premises for which such special connection fee has
been collected.
705.05. Rules. Subdivision 1. Connections. Connections with the main
sanitary sewer must be made to the "Y" or "T" branch, or to the house connection
already installed by the city. In the event a "Y" or "T" branch is not
available opposite the particular lot, permission may be granted to tap the main
sewer pipe. New connections made must be made within the middle third of the
interior height of the sewer to which connection is made. A ductile iron or PVC
inserting "T" or "Y" saddle of approved pattern must be inserted in such tapped
hole and the joints thoroughly cemented. Under no circumstances shall the
service pipe extend beyond the outer wall of the main sanitary sewer when
inserted into the connection. (Amended Ord. #92 -710)
Subd. 2. Compliance. No connections may be made with the sewer system
without a permit. The resident or owner is responsible for maintenance and
repair of the sanitary sewer line from the main to the clean out in the building
including the sewer way and stack and all connections attached to the sewer
main. If any portion of the sewer service which is the owner's responsibility
develops a leak or becomes defective, the city may repair such defect and assess
all repair costs against benefited property. (Amended Ord. #92 -710)
Subd. 3. Stacks. Connections at chimney stacks must be made with two
one - eighth bends of the required diameter, separated by one length of straight
pipe. Under no circumstances will a service be connected to a stack serving
another property. Existing services connected to a combined stack must be
disconnected from the combined stack and connected to a new, separate stack in
the event the existing combined stack requires repairs. (Added Ord. #92 -710)
Subd. 4. Line: grade. Building sewers must be laid to a true line and
grade from the sewer to the building and must be inspected before being covered.
(Amended Ord. #92 -710)
Subd. 5. Laying. A sewer connection may not be laid in the same trench
with water, gas or other pipe unless installed in accordance with the state
plumbing code. Sewer connections must be laid far enough from others to admit
for the repair or removal or relaying of any one without disturbing the others.
(Added Ord. #92 -710)
Subd. 6. Materials. The only materials allowed for sewer service
connections from the main to the property line shall be PVC Schedule 40 pipe, or
ductile iron pipe (bell and spigot pattern), and shall not be less than 4" in
diameter. Vitrified clay pipe may only be used for repair purposes in this
area. Materials used for sewer connections from the property line to the
structure must be in conformance with the State Plumbing Code. (Added Ord. #92-
710)
Hopkins City Code (Rev. 8/92) 705.05, Subd. 7
Subd. 7. Pipe bedding. Connection pipe must be enveloped in clean sand
or approved material to a thickness of not less than one foot on all sides of
the pipe. If service pipe is placed on soil not suitable for supporting pipe
and maintaining grade, other support methods, approved by the engineer, must be
used to ensure pipe grade does not change. (Added Ord. #92 -710)
Subd. 8. Check systems. Check systems must be installed on services
connected to any main directly servicing or connected to a sanitary sewer lift
station force main or otherwise connected to sanitary sewer main that has
experienced problems in the past. (Added Ord. #92 -710)
Subd. 9. Sewer depth. Sewers must be placed not less than seven feet
below the surface. Sewers placed less than seven feet from the surface must be
protected from freezing in a manner approved by the Public Works Director.
(Added Ord. #92 -710)
Subd. 10. Street Excavation. The street must be opened in a manner which
will occasion the least inconvenience to the public and provide for the passage
of water along the gutters. One half of the street must be in good and safe
condition at all times for the passage of vehicles or an adequate detour
provided. No tunneling will be permitted except when exigencies require such a
permit. No excavating in any street or public place shall be left open over
night, unless thoroughly barricaded or fenced off in accordance with the
Minnesota Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, and properly lighted so as
to secure public safety. In all cases when it is necessary to leave open during
the night, a trench for pipe a sufficient number of lighted lanterns shall be
placed over such trench, from twilight until daylight, and the trench shall be
properly fenced. (Amended Ord. #92 -710)
Subd. 11. Refilling openings. In refilling openings the earth must be
replaced in the trench, and thoroughly tamped as directed by the Water
Superintendent. The Water Superintendent may require new trench material hauled
in and existing material hauled away if existing material is unacceptable.
Disposing of the unusable material is the responsibility of the contractor.
(Added Ord. #92 -710)
Subd. 12. Trench backfilling. After the pipe is laid and inspected the
refilling must proceed at once and it must be thoroughly tamped or puddled, or
both, as so done that there is no surplus earth remaining. If there is a
deficiency of the earth to fill the excavation, the plumber doing the work must
supply the deficiency with clean sand or approved material. No rock larger than
four inches across or thick may be placed within two feet of the pipe. A
sidewalk, street, alley or driveway removed in order to make such connection
must be re -paved subject to the approval of the engineer. (Added Ord. #92 -710)
Subd. 13. Protection for pipes. If openings are made, and water mains and
service pipes exposed, adequate measures must be taken to protect the pipes from
frost. In refilling openings, all the earth must be replaced in the trench, and
if the earth is frozen, the excavation just be filled with pure bank sand, in
layers of not over six inches, and thoroughly compacted to prevent after -
settlement. (Amended Ord. #92 -710)
Subd. 14. Inspection. All work must be done under the supervision of an
inspector appointed by the city, who shall be permitted at all times to examine,
inspect and superintend all plumbing work, excavating, refilling, materials and
fixtures. Refusal to permit such inspection, or any interference with the
inspector, is grounds for immediate suspension or forfeiture of the permit.
Hopkins City Code (Rev 8/92) 705.05, Subd. 15
Subd. 15. Authority to inspect. The Water Superintendent or other city
inspectors may at reasonable times enter upon the premises drained by a house
drain and or sump pump which is an4 connected with a public sewer to determine
whether the provisions of this code in regard to house drains and sump pumps
have been complied with. If a sump pump, drain or its attachments do not
conform to the provisions of the code, the Water Superintendent will notify the
owner of the premises. The owner must repair or reconstruct as to make the
drain or sump pump conform within 33 30 days from the time of receiving the
notice. (Added Ord. #92 -710)
705.07. Toilets required. Subdivision 1. Notice. The owner or occupant of
real property having a dwelling house or business structure thereon, shall
install a toilet in the dwelling or business structure and make connection
thereof with the water and sanitary sewer mains in the street or alley adjacent
thereto within 30 days after written notice to that effect by the city manager
is given to the owner or occupant.
Subd. 2. Toilet facilities; No sewer available. Any property owner who
can demonstrate due to distance or topography, or pending land use change, may
make a written application to the City Council for a variance from the
connection requirement, so long as no health, safety or welfare hazard exists or
would result from the variance. The written application must state those
circumstances which make the connection unfeasible. Where a public sanitary
sewer is determined not to be available, the buildings sewer shall be connected
to an individual sewage disposal system complying with all requirements of the
State Plumbing Code. (Added Ord. #92 -710)
Subd. 3. City installation. If the owner or occupant of any property
notified in writing to install a toilet and make sanitary sewer and water
connections thereto, fails, refuses or neglects to make such connections and
install such a toilet within 30 days after written notice pursuant to
subdivision 1 has been given, the council may, by resolution, direct that a
toilet be installed and connections be made with the sanitary sewer and water
mains and that the cost of the installation be paid in the first instance out of
the permanent improvement revolving fund of the city, and the actual cost
thereof assessed against the property so benefited.
Subd. 4. Cost assessed. After such installation and connections are
completed, there shall be served a written notice of such assessment and an
order directing the owner or occupant of the property to pay the assessment
within ten days after the service of notice. Upon proof of the service of such
notice and order and proof that said assessment has not been paid within the ten
days allowed, the clerk shall certify to the county auditor for collection of
other assessments and benefits. The assessments shall be spread over a term of
three years and shall become a lien upon said property until paid.
Subd. 5. Time to connect. Within 24 months after a public sewer becomes
available to a property served by a private sewage disposal system or treatment
works, the property served by the private system shall make a connection to the
public sewer in accordance with city ordinance and state plumbing code
requirements. All private sewage disposal systems or treatment works in
existence as of June 1, 1992, shall have until October 1, 1994,. to connect to
the public sewer system. Requirements of Section 705.07 shall be enforced for
properties failing to connect to the public sewer within the specified time
period. (Added Ord. #92 -710)
Hopkins City Code (Rev. 10/93) 705.07, Subd. 6
Subd. 6. Abandonment of private systems. When a public sewer becomes
available to a property served by a sewage disposal system and a direct
connection is made to the public sewer in compliance with this Section, any
septic tanks, cesspools and similar individual sewage disposal system shall be
abandoned and filled with suitable material. (Added Ord. #92 -710)
705.09 Connection to Stem Sanitary Sewer. Subdivision 1. Prohibited
Discharges. No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged any stormwater,
groundwater, roof runoff, yard drainage, yard fountain, pond overflow, or any
substance other than sanitary sewage into the sanitary collection system. Use
of a sump pump discharge for these purposes is illegal.
a)No roof runoff, sump pump, subsurface or surface water drainage shall be
connected to the sanitary sewer system and no building shall hereafter
be constructed nor shall any existing buildings be hereafter altered in
such a manner that the roof drainage or any other source of discharge or
drainage other than sanitary sewer shall connect with the sanitary sewer
system inside or outside the building.
b)Any person, firm, or corporation having a roof, sump pump, cistern
overflow pipe, subsurface or surface in violation of Subdivision 1 drain
now connected or discharging into the sanitary sewer system shall
disconnect and remove it within 30 days after written notice from the
City Manager and install the necessary pipes, plumbing fixtures, and
appliances and otherwise connect said drainage with and into the storm
sewer system in compliance with this Ordinance which shall be verified
by City inspection. All disconnects or openings in the sanitary sewer
shall be closed or repaired in an effective, workmanlike manner in
accordance with City codes and policies.
c)Every person owning improved real estate that discharges in the fashion
above described into the city sanitary sewer system shall allow a
representative of the city to inspect the buildings and property to
confirm the absence or correction of such prohibited discharge to the
sanitary sewer system. Any person refusing to allow such property to be
inspected shall promptly become subject to the penalties and remedies of
the City as provided in its policy and codes including, but not limited
to, assessments, charges, attorney fees and court costs in achieving
compliance and in addition shall be subject to the surcharge hereinafter
provided for, until the inspection is allowed and /or Code Compliance is
met.
d) A surcharge of $100.00 per month is imposed and shall be added to every
utility billing mailed to properties refusing or failing compliance or
inspection as herein provided. The surcharge shall be added to every
monthly billing until the property is in compliance or inspection has
been permitted. In addition to such surcharge, the City retains all
rights and remedies available to it including, but not limited to,
obtaining a Court Order directing compliance allowing inspection or
permitting the City to correct the violation and certify such costs as a
special assessment against the property. All properties found during
annual reinspections, by the City or its agents, to have violated this
Ordinance will be subject to the $100 /month penalty for all months
between the two most recent sump pump inspections.
(Section 705.09, Subd. 1 amended by Ord. #93 -730)
Hopkins City Code (Rev. 10/93) 705.09, Subd. 2
Subd. 2. Storm sewer: sanitary sewers: separate. In making the pipe
and other installations and connections required by subdivision 1, no pipes
shall be installed or connections made in such a manner that any water requiring
sanitary sewage disposal treatment enters into the storm sewer system; no pipes
shall be installed or connections made in any manner so that any water not
requiring sanitary sewage treatment shall enter into the sanitary sewer system.
The City will require a permit for any drainage piping or pumps which will
discharge clear water from any structure or basement, directly into a storm
sewer system. This permitting process shall follow the permit procedures
outlined in 705.03 in accordance with City standards (see 705.14). Anyone
discharging non - contact cooling water must meet the MPCA Requirements and
Permits for this activity.
Subd. 3. Availability. This subsection applies to real property located
where there is both a storm sewer main and a sanitary sewer main located and
installed in a street or alley adjacent thereto, or within a reasonable distance
therefrom.
Subd. 4. City installation. When the owner or occupant of any property
notified in writing to comply with subdivision 1 fails, refuses or neglects to
comply with the notice within 30 days, the council may, by resolution, direct
the installation of the required pipes, plumbing fixtures and appliances. The
cost of the installation be paid in the first instance out of the permanent
improvement revolving fund of the city, and the actual cost thereof assessed
against the real property benefited.
Subd. 5. Cost Assessed. After such installation and connections are
completed, there shall be served upon the owner or occupant of said real
property a written notice of such assessment and an order directing the owner or
occupant of such property to pay such assessment within ten days after the
service of said written notice to the city. Upon proof of the service of such
notice and order, and proof that the assessment has not been paid within the ten
days allowed, the assessment shall be certified by the clerk to the county
auditor for collection as other assessments and benefits. The assessments shall
be spread over a period of three years and shall become a lien upon the property
payable in the same manner and along with the general taxes on the property.
Subd. 6. Voluntary Assessment. An owner of real property may petition
the council for installation and connection of a storm sewer or sanitary sewer
system serving the property in order to separate discharge of such storm water
from the sanitary sewage disposal system. The petition shall be based upon an
agreement between the city and the property owner providing for such
installation and connection and the manner and terms of assessment. The council
may adopt a resolution without a public hearing and order in the improvement in
conformance with the terms of the agreement. The agreement upon which the
petition is based must contain or be accompanied by an undertaking that is
satisfactory to the city that the petitioner will grant the necessary easements
and entry upon the property to construct, install, and connect the necessary
sewer system connections. The work may be contracted for and performed by the
property owner or by the city. If the owner contracts for the improvement, the
city shall review and approve the plans, specifications, and cost estimates.
The validity of the resolution ordering the improvement shall not thereafter be
questioned by the property owner and all notices and rights to object if waived
in the agreement between the city and the property owner shall be binding and
enforceable against the property owner. (Added by Ord. #93 -730)
Hopkins City Code (Rev. 8/92) 705.11
705.11. Prohibited drainage. It is unlawful to drain or deposit, or permit
to be drained or deposited, into a public sewer or into any drain or pipe
connecting with a public sewer, any gasoline, naphtha, benzene, kerosene,
turpentine, or any other spirit , gas or fluid containing any materials of and
explosive or suffocating nature or that may gasify or create combustible or
suffocating gases or vapors. It is unlawful to place, throw or deposit in a
catch basin, sewer or drain, butcher's offal, garbage, dead animals, ashes,
shavings, motor oil, any hazardous substance, or solid refuse. (Added Ord. #92-
710)
705.13. Industrial user strength charge. Subdivision 1. Recitals. The
Metropolitan Waste Control Commission, a metropolitan commission organized and
existing under the laws of the State of Minnesota, in order to receive and
retain grants in compliance with the Federal Water Pollution Control Act
Amendments of 1972, and regulations thereunder, has determined to impose an
industrial user sewer strength charge upon users of the Metropolitan Disposal
System, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 473.121, subdivision 24, to
recover operation and maintenance costs of treatment works attributable to the
strength of the discharge of industrial waste, such sewer strength charge being
in addition to the charge based upon the volume of discharge. In order for the
city to pay such costs based upon strength of industrial discharge and allocated
to it each year by the commission, it is hereby found, determined and declared
to be necessary to establish sewer strength charges and a formula for the
computation thereof for all industrial users receiving waste treatment services
within or served by the city. Minnesota Statutes, section 444.075, subdivision
3, empowers the city to make such sewer charge or charge against the owner,
lessee, occupant or all of them and certify unpaid charges to the county auditor
as a tax lien against the property served.
Subd. 2. Establishment. For the purposes of paying the costs allocated
to the city each year by the commission that are based upon the strength of
discharge of all industrial users receiving waste treatment services within or
served by the City, there is hereby approved, adopted and established, in
addition to the sewer charge based upon the volume of discharge, a sewer charge
upon each company or corporation receiving waste treatment services within or
served by the city, based upon strength of industrial waste discharged into the
sewer system of the city.
Subd. 3. Formula. For the purposes of computation of the strength charge
established by subdivision 2, there is hereby established, approved and adopted
in compliance with the act the same strength charge formula designated in
Resolution No. 76 -172 adopted by the governing body of the commission on June
15, 1976, which formula is based upon pollution qualities and difficulty of
disposal of the sewage produced through an elevation of pollution qualities and
quantities in excess of an annual average base and the proportionate costs of
operation and maintenance of waste treatment services provided by the
commission.
Subd. 4. Payment. The strength charge established by subdivision 2 shall
be paid by each industrial user receiving waste treatment services and subject
thereto before the 20th day next succeeding the date of billing thereof to such
user by or on behalf of the city, and such payment thereof shall be deemed to be
delinquent if not paid to the billing entity before such date. Furthermore, it
is hereby established, approved and adopted that if such payment is not paid
before such date an industrial user shall pay interest compounded monthly at the
rate of 2/3% per month on the unpaid balance due.
Hopkins City Code (Rev. 8/92) 705.13 Subd. 5
Subd. 5. Lien. As provided by Minnesota Statutes, section 444.075,
subdivision 3, if payment of the strength charge established by subdivision 2 is
not paid before the 60th day next succeeding the date of billing thereof to the
industrial user or by or on behalf of the city, the delinquent sewer strength
charge, plus accrued interest shall be deemed to be a charge against the owner,
lessee and occupant of the property served, and the city or its agent shall
certify such unpaid delinquent balance to the director of property taxation with
taxes against the property served for collection as other taxes are collected;
provided, however, that such certification shall not preclude the city from
recovery of such delinquent sewer strength charge and interest thereof under any
other remedy available at law or in equity.
705.14. Sump Pump Discharge Design Standards. Dwellings and other buildings
and structures which require, because of infiltration of water into basements,
crawl spaces, and the like, a sump pump discharge system, shall have a
permanently installed discharge line which shall not at any time discharge clear
water into the sanitary sewer system, except as provided herein. A permanent
installation shall be one which provides for year round discharge capability to
either the outside of the dwelling, building, or structure, or is connected to
City storm sewer or discharge through the curb and gutter to the street. It
shall consist of a rigid discharge line, without valving or quick connections
for altering the path of discharge, and if connected to the City storm sewer
line, include a check valve and an air gap located in a small diameter structure
as shown in the City's standard plates.
705.15 Disconnection. Before March 30, 1998, any person, firm, or
corporation having a roof surface, groundwater sump pump, or footing tile, now
connected and /or discharging into the sanitary sewer system shall disconnect or
remove same. Any disconnects or openings in the sanitary sewer system shall be
closed or repaired in an effective, workmanlike manner.
705.16 Sump Pump Discharge Inspections. Every person owning improved real
estate, with a sump pump, that discharges into the City's sanitary sewer system
shall allow an employee of the City of Hopkins or a designated representative of
the City to inspect the buildings to confirm that there is no sump pump or other
prohibited discharge into the sanitary sewer system. In lieu of having the City
inspect their property, any person may furnish a certificate from a licensed
plumber certifying that their property is in compliance with this ordinance.
705.17. Future Inspections. Each sump pump connection identified will be
re- inspected periodically.
705 -18. New Construction. All new dwellings with sump pumps for which a
building permit is issued after March 30, 1998, shall have a pump and shall be
piped to the outside of the dwelling before a certificate of occupancy is
issued.