Agenda - Council - 12/10/1996 - Laserfiche WebLink

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i 1 I I I I I ;I I I I I I I I i I I IMPLEMENTATION OF CHAPTER 8 OF THE CHARTER By: Ryan R. Schroeder, City Administrator CASE Background: At the October ~2, 1996 meeting, Council discussed passage of an ordinance implementing the amendments to Chapter 8 of the Ramsey City Charter. Council directed that a public hearing be held on Deceml~er 10, 1996, regarding the issue. In preparation of this public hearing, staff presented a draft!ordinance implementing suggested language and a resolution providing for utility availability charges pertinent to the issue at the meeting of November 12, 1996. These articles are attached for you~ consideration. Also attached for background on the case is the background memorandum from October 22, 1996. As presented, ~e availability charge resolution provides the opportunity to recover fees from properties receiving the availability of municipal utilities, but have not connected to them, or paid an assessment ahd connection fees as a result of Chapter 8 of the Charter. Suggested is an availability charg~ that reflects the minimum use charge for any residential customer on the system who may not us~} the services (such as a snowbird). Currently that is $64/quarter. It was also suggested that any such charge not take effect until after three years of availability of the system. The ordinance provides protections to not only the City, but also future buyers of the properties in question. Sectiori 6 of the ordinance provides notice to the public through property records that the .property is subjec~ to a pending assessment. This is important to the City in that failure to disclose ~ssues of this natt!re seems to be cause for action. The City, therefore, needs somehow to provide for notice of the utility availability to any future buyers of property having had exempted prior utility connectionidue to Chapter 8. Under Section 7, referencing functional private systems, language has not been provided for such, but it would se~m that upon determination that the private system needs replacement or refurbishing if it does not meet code connection should be required rather than allowance for total replacement of th6 private system. As noted above, Council scheduled this evening for a public hearing on this issue. There has been some discussion ~at since the new Council will be the implementor of any adopted ordinance, tabling would not be inappropriate. Alternatively, introduction of the ordinance would not subject the new Council tO adoption or adoption without amendment. Council Actionl Based upon input at the public heari Reviewed by: City Administrator CC: 12/10/96 /jmt