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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08563ORDINANCE NO. 8563 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 12 OF TITLE XVI OF THE PUEBLO MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO AND INCREASING STORMWATER UTILITY SERVICE CHARGES THEREOF BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PUEBLO, that: (Brackets indicate matter being deleted; underscoring indicates new matter being added.) SECTION 1. Section 16-12-6 of Chapter 12, Title XVI of the Pueblo Municipal Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 16-12-6. Determination of stormwater utility service charges. (a) The monthly stormwater utility service charge is hereby established and shall be computed as follows: (1) For real property improved for residence, one-family: Monthly Service Charge Impervious Surface [] $2.40 $2.00 up to 2,000 sq. feet [] 4.20 3.50 2,001 to 4,000 sq. feet [] 7.50 6.25 in excess of 4,000 sq. feet (2) For all other improved real property, regardless of ownership or use, the monthly [ stormwater service charge shall be determined by dividing the square feet of impervious surface in and on the real property, as determined by the Director, by two thousand eight hundred sixty-five (2,865) and then multiplying the quotient thereof by three dollars and fifty ] one dollar and forty seven cents ($1.47) per one thousand (1000) square cents ($3.50) feet of impervious surface in and on the real property, as determined by the Director . If the improved real property is served by a stormwater detention facility adequately maintained by property owners other than the City, the Director shall reduce the stormwater utility charge for such property by sixty percent (60%). (b) The Director shall determine the number of square feet of impervious surface in or on the real property described in (a)(2) above of each owner or owners thereof by any one (1) or more of the following methods: (1) On-site measurement of the impervious surface made by the City or in its behalf; (2) Computation of the impervious surface using the dimension of impervious surfaces contained in the records of the City or the Pueblo County Assessor; or (3) Estimation, calculation and computation of the impervious surfaces using aerial photography or photogrammetry or using the information and data from on-site measurements of like or similar property or features or as contained in the records of the City or the Pueblo County Assessor which set forth certain of the characteristics of the improvements on the property such as the space above the basement level in all buildings or structures, size of roofs, parking areas, driveways and other compacted areas, the area of the real property, assessor's use code and assessor's class code (the assessor's characteristics) of the improvements and actual measurements made by the City or in its behalf, if any, of impervious surfaces in or on real properties whose assessor's characteristics are similar to those assessor's characteristics of the real property for which the estimate, calculation and computation is made. (c) The Director shall no less often than every two (2) years cause a review of project costs and stormwater utility service charges to ascertain if the stormwater utility service charges generate sufficient revenue to pay the total project costs. The Director shall submit such report to the City Council for its review and consideration. The first such biennial review shall be completed on or before July 1,,200'3. 3 SECTION 2. This Ordinance shall become effective February 1, 2013. INTRODUCED: December 26, 2012 BY: Steve Nawrocki CO APPROVE, SIDENT OF CITY COU CIL ATTESTED BY: o... CITY CLERK January 14, 2013 PASSED AND APPROVED: Background Paper for Proposed ORDINANCE DATE: December 26, 2012AGENDA ITEM # R-5 DEPARTMENT: STORMWATER UTILITY DIRECTOR – EARL WILKINSON, P.E. TITLE AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 12 OF TITLE XVI OF THE PUEBLO MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO AND INCREASING STORMWATER UTILITY SERVICE CHARGES THEREOF ISSUE Should the City Council increase Stormwater Utility service charges by 20 percent beginning in 2013? RECOMMENDATION Approval of Ordinance. BACKGROUND Pueblo’s Municipal Code presently requires that a review of stormwater rates be performed at least every two years to ensure that the rates generate sufficient revenue to pay the total operation and maintenance costs necessary to operate and maintain the stormwater system properly (Section 16-12-6(3)). The stormwater service charge was initiated in April 2004 and there have been no increases since that time. Recent studies and research have been conducted by the Stormwater Utility and it has been determined that an increase in fees is necessary for estimated costs of maintenance as well as anticipated capital budget needs. Further capital projects may be needed to maintain compliance with State water quality regulations associated with nitrogen and phosphorous in stormwater runoff (Regulation 85). In addition, the State has also adopted higher standards for floodplain management that the City is required to implement. A fee comparison of other cities in Colorado shows that stormwater fees in Pueblo are below the average fees charged in other cities. During a work session, the City Council has determined that current economic conditions make it advisable to implement a 20 percent rate increase. The Ordinance has therefore been prepared to provide for increases of 20 percent in stormwater rates for Pueblo. FINANCIAL IMPACT The proposed Ordinance will increase stormwater rates which will fund estimated maintenance costs as well as anticipated capital improvements. The proposed rate increase is expected to generate additional revenue of approximately $560,022.60 per year. .