Sonoma Municipal Code Ch. 13.24 Water Main Extensions

The city council is desirous of adopting a water main extension policy that is fair and equitable to all developing properties. (Ord. 2002-01 § 2, 2002).

Whenever a property owner is desirous of obtaining water service where no adequate water main exists, an application shall be made to the city engineer for water service. The city engineer shall determine the closest adequate water main, indicate the size of the main to be extended, the appurtenances required, and the limits of the extension. (Ord. 2002-01 § 2, 2002).

Whenever the city engineer determines that a water main extension is necessary, the applicant will be required to install at his own expense the water main extension in accordance with engineering plans furnished by the applicant and approved by the city engineer. The plans shall be prepared in accordance with the city’s design standards and this chapter. At the time water system improvements are accepted by the city, the improvements shall become the property of the city. (Ord. 2002-01 § 2, 2002).

In every case where a water main is to be extended to serve a parcel as shown on the Sonoma County assessor’s maps, the water main shall extend the full frontage of the parcel parallel to the extension. (Ord. 2002-01 § 2, 2002).

The minimum size water main shall have a nominal inside diameter of six inches. In areas zoned or master-planned for high density, commercial and industrial uses, the minimum size shall be eight inches in diameter. Mains which are intended to be “dead end” lines shall be a minimum of eight inches in diameter. Larger size mains may be required as determined by the city engineer based on the city master water plan. (Ord. 2002-01 § 2, 2002).

The installation of fire hydrants or provisions therefor shall be included in any main extension and the cost of such hydrants is to be paid for by the applicant. Fire hydrant location and type shall be as approved by the fire chief having authority in the area where the main extension occurs. (Ord. 2002-01 § 2, 2002).

After approval of the improvement plans by the city engineer but before actual start of construction, the applicant shall furnish the city a 100 percent performance surety in the form of a bond, letter of credit, a certified check or cash in the amount of the construction cost of the main extension conditioned upon the proper performance of the contractor and upon payment by the contractor of any liens incurred for labor and materials while working on the project. (Ord. 2002-01 § 2, 2002).

The water main extension agreement shall contain the following:

A. The amount of the reimbursable costs shall be determined by the city engineer and subject to the approval of the city council.

B. Reimbursable cost shall include water main construction costs plus an engineering cost of 10 percent of the construction cost, but no case shall exceed the front footage charge collected by the city from abutting properties as they connect to the new water main.

C. Water service lines serving individual properties shall not be included as a reimbursable cost.

D. There shall be no reimbursement to the applicant in excess of reimbursable costs stated in the agreement.

E. No interest, finance or security cost shall be included in the reimbursable cost.

F. Reimbursement shall be paid from charges collected by the city from abutting properties as they connect to the new water main.

G. Reimbursement shall be paid to the applicant, his heirs, successors or assigns only from charges collected within 10 years from the date of the agreement. The city shall have no obligation to pay reimbursement funds collected pursuant to this chapter. Charges collected from abutting properties after 10 years shall be retained by the city.

H. The reimbursement shall be based upon the footage parallel to the water main.

I. An administrative cost of five percent of the total reimbursable cost shall be deducted from any monies paid to the city as payment for administering the reimbursement provisions of this chapter. (Ord. 2002-01 § 2, 2002).

Wherever the city council has approved a water main extension reimbursement agreement, the front footage charges shall be collected by the city from any parcel abutting the water main covered in the agreement at the time of development and prior to water service being provided to the abutting parcel. (Ord. 2002-01 § 2, 2002).

When payment for reimbursement has been made, the city engineer shall prepare a letter of entitlement stating the fees collected, reference to the water main extension reimbursement agreement, the amount to be reimbursed, and the administrative charge to be retained by the city. This letter of entitlement shall be forwarded to the city finance officer for actual reimbursement under terms of the agreement. (Ord. 2002-01 § 2, 2002).

The city finance officer shall mail the reimbursement together with a copy of the letter of entitlement to the applicant’s last known address on file with the city or the address in the water main reimbursement agreement. Any reimbursement returned or unclaimed after two years from the date of mailing will revert to the water utility’s capital improvement fund. (Ord. 2002-01 § 2, 2002).

Any applicant requesting water service shall pay the water utility a connection charge merely for the right to connect to the existing system. New residential services and meters shall be one-inch minimum unless the city building official determines that a larger service size is necessary to provide fire flow required for the fire sprinkler system. (Ord. 2002-01 § 2, 2002).

Any new water customer, developer or subdivider connecting to existing mains constructed by the water utility or previous applicants shall pay a front foot charge based upon the footage that their property abuts the main. (Ord. 2002-01 § 2, 2002).

The city council shall, from time to time by resolution as it deems necessary and appropriate, provide for and set all charges and fees including connection charges, front footage charges, meter and lateral installation and other such installations. Said resolution may provide for automatic future adjustment of any of said rates, charges and fees by application of appropriate cost escalators as determined by the city council. (Ord. 2002-01 § 2, 2002).

All fees and charges called for in SMC 13.24.150 through 13.24.190 shall be updated from time to time by the adoption of a resolution by the city council. (Ord. 2002-01 § 2, 2002).