Agenda - Council - 05/23/2000 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I I I I I I I I I I I I PROPOSED ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR INDIVIDUAL SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEMS (ISTS) By: Community Development Director Sylvia Frolik Background: As you know, one of the outstanding issues relating to Metro Council determination of completeness of Ramsey's draft Comprehensive Plan is a managed maintenance program for individual sewage treatment systems (ists's) in accordance with Minnesota Rule 7080. ' Specifically, it is being requested that the City update the sewage disposal ordinance to require monitoring of all istS's every three years, notifying homeowners of the requirement and tracking when systems are monitored. Observations: Staff has drafted an ordinance amendment to require pumping of ists's at least every 3 years. There are provisions in the ordinance for a waiver from pumping upon a satisfactory inspection report. Currently, pumpers are required to submit a report to the City listing the addresses that were pumped, the number of tanks, the gallonage pumped and the ultimate disposal location. Staff is proposing that the pumpers would continue to be responsible for submitting the required report. However, the report will require some additional observation-type information such as: evidence of effluent percolating from the ground, was there sewage backup in the house} was it a routine pumping, did the condition of the tank and baffles appear normal, etc. The report will be in the form of a permit, designed and supplied by the City, for which pumpers will be charged a nominal fee to cover the cost of production. Pumpers may purchase the permit/reports in multiples at the counter or through the mail to avoid frequent trips to City Hall. Within 30 days of pumping, the respective reports must be returned to the City where the information will be entered into the computer. The City will monitor and any property owner not complying with the 3 year frequency requirement will be notified and given 30 days to comply. Follow-up enforcement would consist of the City ordering the system pumped and assessing the cost plus an administration fee to the property owner. The ordinance states that the 3 year pumping/inspection requirement and annual reminders of the requirement will be published in the City newsletter. A copy of the existing Sewage Disposal section of City Code is enclosed. The proposed additions to the text are identified with underlines and deletions are identified with stfikethroughs. A copy of the ordinance that would implement the proposed text is also enclosed for consideration. Recommendation: City Staff recommends adoption of the proposed ordinance. I I I I Council Action: Motion to introduce treatment systems. Review Checklist: City Administrator City Attorney City Building Official CC: 05/23/00 ordinance #00-~ establishing maintenance requirements for individual Sewage