El Centro Municipal Code Art. V Connection, Use, and Construction of Sewers

For the purposes of this article, the following additional words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section:

Capacity fee shall mean a charge to cover the cost of a fair and proportionate share of those facilities such as sewer interceptors, sewer plants, and the like, that are in place or identified in an approved master plan and to the benefit of the property to be connected.

Connection shall mean that part of any sewer extending from the sewer main in a public street, alley or right-of-way to private property for the exclusive use of such property.

Connection fee shall mean a charge to cover those items required by or for sewer connection.

Interceptor mains shall mean those sewer mains that are twelve (12) inches or smaller in size and are intended to handle sewage from a designated area.

Trunk sewers shall mean those sewer mains that are larger than twelve (12) inches in size and are intended to handle sewage from a large area. Connections are not permitted to trunk sewers except as allowed in section 22-551.

(Ord. No. 17-02, § 2, 2-21-17)

Every connection made between private property and any public sewer main shall be made in the manner and with such materials as are required by the specifications for public sewers approved by the city council and in accordance with all applicable City Codes.

(Ord. No. 17-02, § 2, 2-21-17)

All connections outside the public right-of-way shall be maintained at the expense of the property owner. The property owner shall install a cleanout at the property line according to city standard drawings.

(Ord. No. 17-02, § 2, 2-21-17)

No person shall connect any property with any city sewer without first procuring a permit to make such a connection. Any person desiring to obtain such a permit shall make application for such permit and pay the fees provided for in this article to the public works department. The current and/or proposed use of the subject property shall be consistent with applicable city development requirements including, without limitation, the city's subdivision, zoning, and building regulations.

(Ord. No. 17-02, § 2, 2-21-17)

(a) All property owners desiring a connection to city sewer mains, whether such mains are in place or not, shall pay a sewer connection fee, based on the size of service as established by resolution of the city council pursuant to the procedures and prerequisites prescribed by state law.

(b) When there are unusual circumstances in connection with the development of the property, such as condominium developments or large areas of open space not connected to the sewers, the city council may fix the connection fee by agreement with the property owner. By contract the city council may give credit against the sewer connection fee for off-site facilities contributed by a property owner, either through an assessment district or otherwise, and by contract the city council may defer the payment of the sewer connection fee as provided herein. The council's determination shall be final.

(Ord. No. 17-02, § 2, 2-21-17)

In addition to the connection fee, an applicant requesting service to a lot which is not adjacent to a public sewer shall install a sewer main extension in publicly dedicated streets, alleys or sewer easements accepted by the city council. Sewer mains shall be installed in sewer easements on private property only when it would not be in the interest of the city to accept dedication of a street or alley in the particular location. All sewer main extensions shall be in accordance with the approved master plan using standard specifications to be approved from time to time by the city council and detailed plans approved by the city engineer. The city engineer shall determine the size of sewer main required for the area for which application for service is made, and such sewer main shall not have an inside diameter of less than eight (8) inches nor shall it be smaller than the line identified in the master plan.

(Ord. No. 17-02, § 2, 2-21-17)

(a) Trunk sewers. Where it is necessary to extend an trunk sewer which is designed to service an area in excess of that for which the application is made, the city council may determine it to be in the interest of the city for the cost of the trunk sewer to be shared by the city and the applicant under a special contract, in proportions to be approved by the council, depending upon particular circumstances, or paid by the city. If the trunk sewer is installed in conformance with a contract between the city and the applicant, any refunds shall be made only in accordance with the conditions in the contract. In no event will any person be refunded more than difference between the amount paid by the person for construction of such facilities and the amount that would have been paid to serve the affected development.

(b) Lift stations and pumps. Where it has been determined by the master plan or is determined by the city engineer that to properly service an area, parcel, tract or subdivision, a lift station and pump line are necessary, the city council may determine it to be in the best interest of the city for the cost of the lift station and pump line to be shared by the city and the applicant, under a special contract, in proportions to be approved by the city council depending upon particular circumstances, paid by the city or paid by the applicant. In no event will any person be refunded more than the difference between the amount paid by the person for construction of such facilities and the amount that would have been paid to serve the affected development.

(c) Interceptor mains. Interceptor mains are not eligible for cost sharing.

(Ord. No. 17-02, § 2, 2-21-17)

The property owner shall pay capacity charges for higher intensity uses as set forth in chapter 24 prior to making any sewer connections.

(Ord. No. 17-02, § 2, 2-21-17)