Arcata Municipal Code Art. 4 New Public Sewer Construction

A. Applications for a sewer connection permit that require an extension of the public sewer because the property on which the building is located does not abut a public sewer shall include payment of the following fees in addition to those imposed pursuant to this Chapter:

1. Public Sewer Extension by City. When City forces or contractor extends the public sewer, the applicant shall pay a deposit estimated as the total cost of all labor, materials, equipment and other costs incidental to the installation, plus fifteen percent (15%) for general overhead, excluding the cost of oversizing public sewers for the general benefit of the POTW. After completion of construction, the deposit amount shall be adjusted to the actual cost plus fifteen percent (15%) for general overhead. Any amount overpaid by the applicant shall be promptly refunded, and any amount owed by the applicant shall be promptly paid to the City. Delinquent charges may be collected as a normal sewer service charge.

2. Extensions by Applicant. When the applicant’s forces or contractor extends the public sewer, the applicant shall pay a fee in the amount deemed necessary by the City to pay all engineering, inspection and all other costs of permit monitoring and compliance. After completion of construction, the deposit amount shall be adjusted to the actual cost. Any amount overpaid by the applicant shall be promptly refunded, and any amount owed by the applicant shall be promptly paid to the City. Delinquent charges may be collected as a normal sewer service charge. Prior to the issuance of a permit, the applicant shall furnish to the City a faithful performance bond or cash in the amount of the total estimated cost of work. Said bond shall be secured by a surety or sureties satisfactory to the City. The cash deposit or faithful performance bond shall be conditioned upon the performance of the terms and conditions of the permit and shall guarantee the correction of faulty workmanship and the replacement of defective materials for a period of one (1) year after the date of acceptance of the work.

B. Reimbursement Agreements. The City may, as allowed by State law, recommend that the City Council enter into an agreement to reimburse a subdivider, school district, or other person for a portion of the cost of extending the public sewer pursuant to this Section. Such agreements shall be in effect for a maximum period of ten (10) years. (Ord. 1461, eff. 9/18/2015)

The application for a sewer connection permit that includes new public sewer construction shall be accompanied by complete plans, profiles and specifications, complying with all applicable ordinances, rules and regulations of the City prepared by a registered civil engineer showing all details of the proposed work based on an accurate construction plan sheet with elevations. After review of the application, the City shall approve them as filed or require them to be modified as deemed necessary for proper sewer construction. The permit shall be issued conditioned on payment of all connection charges, fees and furnishing of bonds as required by the City. The permit shall prescribe such other terms and conditions as the City finds necessary to protect the public health, safety and welfare. (Ord. 1461, eff. 9/18/2015)

The requirements of this Article shall be fully complied with before any final subdivision map may be approved by the City. The final subdivision map shall provide for the dedication for public use of all streets, easements or rights-of-way in which public sewer collection lines are to be constructed. If a subdivision map of a tract is recorded and the work of constructing sewers to serve the tract is not completed in the time limit allowed in the permit, the City may extend the time limit or may complete the work and take appropriate steps to enforce the provisions of the bond furnished by the subdivider. (Ord. 1461, eff. 9/18/2015)

In the event an easement is required for extension of or connection to the public sewer, the applicant shall obtain for acceptance by the City Council a legal easement or right-of-way sufficient in width to allow the laying and maintenance of such extension or connection. (Ord. 1461, eff. 9/18/2015)

Only properly licensed contractors shall be authorized to perform public sewer construction work within the City. All terms and conditions of the sewer connection permit issued by the City to the applicant shall be binding on such contractors. (Ord. 1461, eff. 9/18/2015)

Grade and line stakes shall be set by a registered civil engineer or licensed land surveyor prior to the start of work on any public sewer construction. The licensed contractor performing the sewer work shall be responsible for accurately transferring grades to sewer invert. (Ord. 1461, eff. 9/18/2015)

Any person constructing a sewer within a street shall comply with all State, County, and City laws, ordinances, rules and regulations pertaining to the cutting of pavement, opening, barricading, lighting and protecting trenches, backfilling and repaving thereof. (Ord. 1461, eff. 9/18/2015)

Minimum standards for the design and construction of public sewers within the City shall be in accordance with applicable provisions of all applicable City ordinances, rules, and regulations. "As-built" drawings showing the actual location of all mains, structures, Ys, Ts, laterals and clean outs shall be filed with the City before final acceptance of the work. (Ord. 1461, eff. 9/18/2015)

Before acceptance of any sewer line by the City and prior to the admission of any wastewater into the system, the sewer line shall be tested for compliance with all City and permit requirements. (Ord. 1461, eff. 9/18/2015)