Agenda - Council - 05/11/2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Action: Ratify the recommendation of the Public Works Committee. Case//5: Consider Penalties for Violations of Water Sprinkling Regulations Background: City Engineer Jankowski stated that City code section 4.40.06 Subd. 10 allows the City to limit the times and hours during which water may be used from the City system for specific uses, primarily irrigation. He reviewed the code and explained in practice during recent years it has not been necessary to vigorously enforce the odd/even sprinkling restrictions as the utility has had adequate capacity even during high demand periods. However during the peak use day during 2003 the water utility pumped over 6 million gallons per day. With all five wells running 24 hours per day water was still being drawn from the towers to meet the high demand. This year with additional residential units being connected to the system it will be necessary to rely on the water conservation regulations since well 6 will not be on line until after the peak water use period is over. City Engineer Jankowski advised that staff is of the opinion that an enforcement policy which is more progressive in applying penalties for sprinkling ban violations will be easier to enforce and will result in better compliance. Staff recommends that section 4.40.06 Subd. 10 be amended to include the following penalties for successive violations within a calendar year: · 1st violation mailed written warning · 2nd violation written violation by registered mail · 3rd violation $50 fine added directly to the water bill · 4th violation $100 fine added directly to the water bill. · 5th violation shut off of water service City Engineer Jankowski reported the City has had situations where the tower was not able to keep up. With the developments coming on line this year something effective needs to be done that will be acceptable to people. Motion by Councilmember Elvig, second by Councilmember Cook, to recommend to the City Council that City Code Section 4.40.06 Subd. be amended to revise the penalties for violations as follows: · 1st violation written violation by registered mail · 2nd violation $50 fine added directly to the water bill · 3rd violation $100 fine added directly to the water bill. · 4th violation shut off of water service Action: Staff is presenting this as a regular case to Introduce Amendment to City Code Section 4.40.06 Subdivision 10 Relating to Water Use Restrictions.