6.2. SR 08-13-2012 - Laserfiche WebLink

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trenches to install water and sewer lines, and punching holes through basement walls to connect the lines. It is very likely that enforcement of the code, per this option, would not be received favorably by any of the property owners. A better alternative would be to allow the property owner to contract for the work and have the cost assessed to the property. This option was suggested earlier this year when Council authorized the assessment of repair costs. The Council declined to amend the code to allow initial connection costs to be assessed. However, this issue could, perhaps, be reconsidered as a better alternative than the city hiring contractors to make private utility connections. Option 2: Charge /Levy Availability and User Charges to Unconnected Properties Section 78 -42 of the City Code authorizes the city to charge unconnected properties which are required to be connected the applicable water availability/ connection charge and a monthly user charge in an amount established by the City Council or the Public Utilities Commission. There is no parallel provision for sewer connections. We recommend adopting parallel language authorizing sewer availability/ connection charges and user fees charged to unconnected properties which are required to be connected to sewer. The action steps for Option 2 would be: (a) Amend the City Code to authorize sewer charges be levied to unconnected properties; (b) send a letter to all unconnected properties required to be connected advising them that water and sewer availability/ connection charges and assumed usage charges will be levied beginning in 90 days; and (c) levy and collect the charges and fees. Option 3: Combination of Options 1 and 2 A combined approach would be to amend the City Code to authorize sewer availability and user charges to unconnected properties and once that is in place: (a) Send a letter to all unconnected properties required to be connected advising them that the applicable water and sewer connection charges will be levied beginning 90 days from the date of the letter unless arrangements are made within that time period to connect the property to water and sewer; and (b) if an ordinance amendment is adopted to allow the assessment of costs for private water and sewer connections, the letter could offer that alternative; and, (c) the letter could go on to state that if the connection is not made the city will make the connection and assess the costs to the property. Option 4: Utility Connection on Property Sale Approve a code amendment mandating that any property required to be connected to public utilities is connected prior to sale of the property. To make such an ordinance effective, the city would record a Notice of the Ordinance against all unconnected properties requiring connections so buyers and lenders are on notice of the requirement and the connections are therefore made at the time of sale. Option 5: Continue Past Practice Eliminate the section of the code requiring properties to connect to sewer and water within two years of service availability. Those not connected would remain on their own septic or well until one or both fail. At that time, they would be required to connect to public sewer and water. This option requires the least amount of enforcement and staff time. N Y