Chapter 13.13
STORM DRAINAGE SYSTEM
Sections:
13.13.020 Purpose of provisions.
13.13.040 Calculation of user fees.
13.13.050 Collection of user fees.
13.13.060 Collection of delinquent users fees.
13.13.070 Establishment of user fees.
13.13.010 Background.
On October 19, 1992, the city council authorized the city engineer to prepare a report and make arrangements as to the concept of making the storm drainage system of the city an enterprise system by establishing a storm drainage utility and user fee to make the operation, maintenance, repair and replacement of the system self-supporting, thereby removing the financial burden from the city's general fund. (Ord. 386 § 1, 1993)
13.13.020 Purpose of provisions.
The purpose of this chapter is to establish for the city a storm drainage utility to deal with the management of stormwater discharge and to provide for financing of this utility by a user fee to recover expenses attributable to the following items:
A. Operation, maintenance and repair;
B. Administration and updating of fee;
C. Stormwater compliance and monitoring;
D. Replacement of pump stations and appurtenances;
E. Replacement of pipelines, catch basins and manholes. (Ord. 386 § 1, 1993)
13.13.030 Definitions.
A. “Administrative costs” means the necessary amount of funds to monitor and administer the storm drainage fee enterprise.
B. “Commercial/other” means property located within the city zoned commercial under EMC Title 17, Zoning, and all other property within the city not covered by another land use under this chapter.
C. “High density residential” means a multiple or apartment dwelling unit in accordance with Chapter 17.16 EMC, R-3 or Multiple-Family Residential District.
D. “Low density residential” means a single-family dwelling or one manufactured housing unit in accordance with Chapter 17.14 EMC, R-1 or Low Density Residential District.
E. “Medium density residential” means a two- or three-family dwelling unit in accordance with Chapter 17.15 EMC, R-2 or Medium Density Residential District.
F. “Operation and maintenance” means a yearly cost to operate and maintain the storm drainage system. This amount includes both direct and indirect costs as well as funds necessary to update both the stormwater utility fee and the storm drainage master plan.
G. “Schools/churches” means property located within the city on which educational or church facilities are constructed.
H. “Sinking fund for manholes and catch basins” means the yearly cost required to replace the manholes and catch basins at the end of their useful life. This amount is based on the inflation rate of construction and the investment rate of the funds.
I. “Sinking fund for pipelines” means the yearly cost required to replace the pipelines at the end of their useful life. This amount is based on the inflation rate of construction and the investment rate of the funds.
J. “Sinking fund for pump stations” means the yearly cost required to replace the various components of a storm drainage pump station at the end of their useful life. The yearly costs include the replacement of the concrete sump/wet well, pumps, electrical/controls, piping appurtenances and fencing.
K. “Stormwater compliance” means a yearly cost required to monitor and maintain facilities for compliance with current and pending stormwater regulations. The amount also includes funds for the construction of minor pollution control facilities in the future.
L. “Vacant land” means unimproved real property within the city. (Ord. 386 § 1, 1993)
13.13.040 Calculation of user fees.
User fees shall be calculated in a manner which distributes, as equitable as possible, storm drainage system costs to users of the system proportionate to the benefit received. In consideration of the fact that stormwater runoff and consequent storm drainage system loading is directly related to the physical size and impervious surface area of any parcel of land, those factors shall be utilized in the calculation of user fees. In addition, other factors which disproportionately affect stormwater system costs and which are attributable to any user or class of users may be utilized in the setting of fees for that user or class of users. (Ord. 386 § 1, 1993)
13.13.050 Collection of user fees.
User fees, where applicable, shall be placed on the San Joaquin property tax rolls and paid by the users and collected by the county tax collector as an addition to the real property tax otherwise imposed on the user's property beginning with fiscal year 1993-94. (Ord. 386 § 1, 1993)
13.13.060 Collection of delinquent users fees.
As an alternative to any of the other procedures herein provided or given by law, the city may bring an action against the owner of the premises for the collection of the amount of the delinquent rate and all penalties and costs of collection including a reasonable attorney's fee. (Ord. 386 § 1, 1993)
13.13.070 Establishment of user fees.
A. In order to provide an adjustment period for the users, the first year's fee is set at approximately 50 percent of the actual fee required to cover the costs of the storm drainage system with a planned incremental increase over the following two years.
B. The following monthly user fees are hereby established:
|
Land User |
Year One Fee |
Proposed Year Two Fee |
Proposed Year Three Fee |
|
Low density residential |
$2.78/unit |
$3.78/unit |
$4.78/unit |
|
Medium density residential |
$2.00/unit |
$2.72/unit |
$3.44/unit |
|
High density residential |
$1.20/unit |
$1.63/unit |
$2.05/unit |
|
Commercial/other |
$21.05/acre |
$28.63/acre |
$36.21/acre |
|
School/churches |
$1.88/acre |
$2.56/acre |
$3.23/acre |
|
Vacant land |
$3.52/acre |
$4.79/acre |
$6.06/acre |
C. User fees shall be reviewed on an annual basis and may be adjusted by resolution of the city council. If not adjusted, the proposed year two and year three fees shall become effective July 1, 1994, and July 1, 1995, respectively. (Ord. 386 § 1, 1993)
13.13.080 Use of revenue.
During the first two years when the user fee is less than the cost of the storm drainage system, the fees collected shall be applied in the following order of priority:
A. Operation and maintenance;
B. Administration;
C. Stormwater compliance;
D. Sinking fund:
1. Forty-nine percent to pipelines;
2. Twenty-eight percent to manholes and catch basins;
3. Twenty-three percent to pump stations. (Ord. 386 § 1, 1993)