Agenda - Council - 04/24/1984 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I I I I I I I I i I I I I i I I i i April 5, 19[~4 ~ear Ho~v should maintenance of On-Site Septic Systems be hand,ed in Are you wi~ing to pay to he~p enforce our ordinance? Let me give you some b~ckg, round. The City has a Sewage'Disposa~ 'System Ordinance. The enforcement of the ordinance has not occurred, neither has the intent been enforced. The ~etropolitan Council e~pects a report each year from the City of its inspections. We can al! ima~in~ what kind of time and expense could be involved to comply. The Council recognizes that also. At the ]~ebruary 28th meeting we amended the ordinance, bringing it into a more feasible, less expensive, workable law. The staff prepared and presented to Council at o~r ~arch 27~h meeting suggestions on implementing the ordinance. The intent of the ordinance is to ensure adequate performance of all on-site systems and to protect public hea~th. It is hoped, on ~y part, that ~.taff sun8 resident management of septic tank pumping may ~elay the nee8 for .~unicipal sewer in parts of the City by reducing t~e occurrence of failed drainfields. Action on implementing the ordinance was t~bled, giving you and me time to communicate on this. The City is required to set up a program to insp¢:-:t on-site systems every 24 monzhs and make sure they are operating in accordance to both the i~inn. Pollution Control Agency's a_nd Ramsey's codes. The staff has taken the city map an8 divided areas into either critical (needing first attention (1984) based on past h~storF of failures or possible pollution) and those areas not so critical (to be addressed in 1985). The initial inspection would determine the need for sludge and/or scum removal from the tanks. If it is determined the system needs to be pumped, the homeowner is required to have it done by a licensed pumper. Upon completion of the inspection the homeowner will be required to fill out and sign a report to the city to be kept on record. If it is determined the system is not constructed or functioning properly it is to be replaced or corrected. Here is where cost ~ill rise. The initial fee for the City to inspect will be 875.00 - they fiRure this cost on inspecting, possible location of the system, and getting the record system started. The homeowner must have the standpipes and distribution box exposed for the inspector. If the inspector has to spend time locating the system and preparing it for inspection there will be a charge of $25.OO an hour over and above the initial cost. Too, there will be the cost of pumping if needed. 2hese figures and how subsequent inspections are handled are areas still to be discussed by Council an5 Staff.