Sewer Code Update (Title 13) Pierce County Sewer & Water Utilities Presentation to the Council Economic and Infrastructure Development Committee May 14, 2013 This presentation is a follow-up to the April 9, 2013 EIDC Study Session

Sewer Code Update Summary and Intent - Repeals and replaces every chapter (except 13.16, now addressed in 13.04) - Implements changes to connection charges and fees Clarifies and improves permit and plan review procedures Meets current federal and state requirements for pretreatment Removes obsolete codes and consolidates similar codes This slide lists the major goals of this ordinance proposal

Sewer Code Update Stakeholder Outreach Early Consultation with DOE and TPCHD Early Consultation with Business Groups (MBA, AGC, TPCAR) E-Updates to Service Area Jurisdictions (All Mayors and PW Directors) E-Updates to Other Sewer Utility Providers (Puyallup, Sumner, JBLM) Support Letters received from City of Lakewood Comment Letters received from MBA All revisions from stakeholder comments highlighted in Summary Matrix This slides lists our outreach efforts with key external stakeholders

Sewer Code Update Public Outreach Project Web Page Billing Insert mailed to All Customer Accounts Press Releases submitted to The News Tribune and local newspapers Planning Commission Hearing and Noticing 30-Day Public Comment Period for Pretreatment Regulations Council Hearings and Noticing This slides lists our outreach efforts with our costumers and the general public

Sewer Code Update Chapter 13.04 Sewer Utility Administrative Regulations Chapter 13.06 Industrial Pretreatment Regulations Chapter 13.08 Delinquent Sewer Assessments Chapter 13.10 Latecomers Agreements for Public Sewer Facilities Chapter 13.13 Service Charges Chapter 13.14 Real Property Segregation – Connection and Service Charges Chapter 13.16 Connection Charges (REPEALED – now in Ch. 13.04) Chapter 13.20 Sewer Assessment Protests This ordinance would repeal and replace all of the chapters (except Chapter 13.16) within Title 13

Chapter 13.04 - Sewer Utility Administrative Regulations Sewer Code Update Chapter 13.04 - Sewer Utility Administrative Regulations Affects Applicants and Developers (input from Master Builders Association) Clarifies the Director’s authority to interpret regulations for “public interest” Identifies Connection Requirements for new and existing developments Describes development review and permit processes Simplifies pretreatment reviews for small businesses Insignificant, Minor, and Significant user categories refer to the type of user (e.g., retail, restaurant, industrial) not the type of project (e.g., new business, remodel) This slides lists the topics covered in Chapter 13.04 which generally applies to all applicants and developers

Chapter 13.04 – Key Policy Changes (Connection Charges) Sewer Code Update Chapter 13.04 – Key Policy Changes (Connection Charges) Calculates connection charges based on usage instead of acreage Standardizes calculation methods for ULID and Non-ULID areas Simplifies connection charge rates into fewer categories consolidates charges into three categories: Area; Plant Capacity; and Latecomers This slides lists the key policy changes in Chapter 13.04 related to connection charges

Chapter 13.04 – Key Policies Changes (Fees) Sewer Code Update Chapter 13.04 – Key Policies Changes (Fees) All permit fees now codified in fee tables Converts most fees to a “flat fee structure” instead of time and materials establishes predictable upfront costs for applicants reduces administrative costs to applicants and the County facilitates development of “over the counter” and online permits Delays payment of inspection fees until permit issuance This slides lists the key policy changes in Chapter 13.04 related to permit and development review fees

Chapter 13.06 – Industrial Pretreatment Regulations Sewer Code Update Chapter 13.06 – Industrial Pretreatment Regulations Identifies requirements to comply with federal and state water quality laws Revisions based on State Model Pretreatment Ordinance Clarifies reporting and notification requirements No written comments received during 30-day public comment period No major policy changes This slides lists the topics covered in Chapter 13.06 which generally applies to industrial and commercial businesses

Chapter 13.08 – Delinquent Sewer Assessments Sewer Code Update Chapter 13.08 – Delinquent Sewer Assessments Identifies procedures on how delinquent ULID assessments are handled ULID related codes based on State laws (RCW Chapters 35.49 and 35.50) Input received from Assessor-Treasurer and Budget & Finance Departments No major policy changes This slides lists the topics covered in Chapter 13.08 which generally follow State law

Chapter 13.10 – Latecomers Agreements Sewer Code Update Chapter 13.10 – Latecomers Agreements Identifies procedures on how latecomers agreements are handled Development related codes based on state law (RCW Chapter 35.91) Input received from Master Builders Association No major policy changes This slides lists the topics covered in Chapter 13.10 which also generally follow State law

Chapter 13.13 – Service Charges Sewer Code Update Chapter 13.13 – Service Charges - Affects All Sewer Customers - Identifies monthly Sewer Service Rates and Charges - Describes Sewer Billing procedures - Describes Collections and Lien processes This slides lists the topics covered in Chapter 13.13 which generally applies to all customers

Chapter 13.13 – Key Policy Changes Sewer Code Update Chapter 13.13 – Key Policy Changes Approval of Annual Adjustments would now present CPI and other increases to Council annually applies to service charges, connection charges, and fees Allows “pass through revenues” (e.g. State taxes) without Council action Clarifies that property owners are responsible for delinquent charges Clarifies that the waiver of service charges is contingent on disconnection This slides lists the key policy changes made to Chapter 13.13

Chapter 13.14 – Real Property Segregation Sewer Code Update Chapter 13.14 – Real Property Segregation Requires full payment of any liens before any parcel segregation No major policy changes Very minor changes have been made to this very short chapter which has only two code sections

Chapter 13.16 – Connection Charges Sewer Code Update Chapter 13.16 – Connection Charges Entire ULID related chapter is now repealed Connection charges for ULID areas are now addressed in Chapter 13.04 Eliminates outdated calculation methods for ULID areas It is proposed that Chapter 13.16 be permanently repealed since its provisions are now addressed in Chapter 13.04

Chapter 13.20 – Sewer Assessment Protests Sewer Code Update Chapter 13.20 – Sewer Assessment Protests Identifies procedures on how assessment protests are handled ULID related codes based on State laws (RCW Chapters 36.94) Removes codes that Hearing Examiner decisions are appealable to Council No major policy changes This slides lists the topics covered in Chapter 13.20 which also generally follow State law

Questions? This concludes the presentation and staff can now answer any questions you may have