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ITEM: 5.1. <br />MEMORANDUM <br />TO: City Council <br />FROM: Lori Johnson, City Administrator <br />DATE: May I I, 2009 <br />SUBJECT: Sewer Connection Ordinance <br />The Elk River Municipal Utilities (ERMU) Commission recently discussed the water <br />department's connection policy in response to concerns about buildings that have access to <br />city water but are not connected. In discussing the possible options and action the water <br />utility may take to address this matter, ERMU asked that the Council review the City's sewer <br />connection ordinance. <br />The current sewer connection ordinance has been in place for many years. Staff is not <br />recommending any change to the ordinance or past practice relating to connections to city <br />sewer. We have not experienced any issues with the sewer connection ordinance that would <br />warrant handling this situation any differently than it is currently being handled. The main <br />focus of the connection ordinance from an implementation perspective is ensuring that the <br />health and safety issues are addressed promptly. Staff estimates that there are approximately <br />25 or fewer homes or businesses with available sewer service that have not connected. Those <br />properties will connect as septic systems fail or do not pass inspection for financing if the <br />property is being sold. The City does not allow improvements to septic systems on <br />properties where municipal services are available. <br />This is a discussion only item for the Council based on a request from the ERMU <br />Commission. Councilmember Gumphrey also serves on the Utility Commission and will be <br />able to provide additional insight into the ERMU's request. <br />Attachments: Elk River City Ordinance Section 78-97, paragraph d <br />