Ordinance No. 1044 01-23-1995 ORDINANCE NO. 1044
III AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING CHAPTER 403 ENTITLED "SANITARY SEWER
CONNECTIONS" TO THE FRIDLEY CITY CODE
The City Council of the City of Fridley does ordain as follows:
403. SANITARY SEWER CONNECTIONS
403.01. PURPOSE
In adopting this ordinance, the City Council finds that the discharge of water from
any roof, surface, ground, sump pump, footing tile or other natural precipitation
into the City sewerage system will and has on numerous occasions in the past,
flooded and overloaded the sewerage system to such an extent as to cause significant
and grave damage to the property of large numbers of city residents. Such damage is
caused by the backup of sewage into the living quarters of residents, an increase in
sewage treatment costs, and in addition to other damage creates a hazard to health.
The City Council, therefore, finds it essential to the maintenance of health and to
minimize sewage treatment costs and damage to property that the provisions of this
ordinance be strictly enforced to avoid emergencies in the future.
403.02. DEFINITION AND METHOD
No water from any roof, surface, ground, sump pump, footing tile, or other natural
precipitation shall be discharged into the sanitary sewerage system. Dwellings and
other buildings and structures which require, because of the infiltration of water
IIIinto basements, crawl spaces and the like, a sump pump system to discharge excess
water, shall have a permanently installed discharge line which shall not at any time
discharge water into the sanitary sewerage system. A permanent installation shall
be one which provides for year-around discharge capability to either the outside of
the dwelling, building or structure, or is connected to the City storm sewer or
discharges to the street or drainage easement. It shall consist of a rigid
discharge line, without valving or quick connections for altering the path of
discharge.
403.03. DISCONNECTION
Before July 1, 1995, any person, firm or corporation having a roof, surface, ground,
sump pump, or footing tile now connected and/or discharging into the sanitary sewer
system shall disconnect and/or remove same. Any disconnects or openings in the
sanitary sewer shall be closed or repaired in an effective, workmanlike manner, as
approved by the City Building Inspector.
403.04. INSPECTION
Every person owning improved real estate that discharges into the City's sanitary
sewer system shall allow an employee of the City of Fridley or their designated
representative to inspect the buildings to confirm that there is no sump pump or
other prohibited discharge into the sanitary sewer system. In lieu of having the
City inspect their property, any person may furnish a certificate certifying that
their property is in and will remain in compliance with this Ordinance. Any person
IIIrefusing to allow their property to be inspected or refusing to furnish a
certificate within (14) days of the date City employee(s) or their designated
representatives are denied admittance to the property, shall become subject to the
surcharge hereinafter provided for. Any property found to violate this Ordinance
shall make the necessary changes to comply with the Ordinance and furnish proof of
the changes to the City by July 1, 1995.
Page 2 - Ordinance No. 1044
III403.05. FUTURE INSPECTIONS
At any future time, if the City has reason to suspect that an illegal connection may
exist in a premises, the owner, by written notice shall comply with the provisions
of Paragraph 4 above.
403.06. INCENTIVE
There are a number of methods to dispose of sump pump effluent. The City's
recommended solution is to pump the water into a cistern. Any property which has an
existing illegal connection may apply for City financial assistance by requesting a
City inspector to verify the illegal connection, have the repair completion verified
and submit a receipt for labor and/or materials (self-help labor rate valued at
$40) . Upon verification of the corrective action and costs, the City will remit to
the property owner one-half of the cost to correct the illegal connection to a
maximum of $450 per installation. The property owner may petition the City to abate
the problem and assess the property owners cost for the corrective work over a 3-
year period. This incentive program is in effect until December 31, 1996.
403.07. SURCHARGE
A surcharge of $300 per quarter is hereby imposed and added to every sewer billing
mailed on and after July 1, 1995 to property owners that are not in compliance with
this ordinance. The surcharge shall be added for the entire quarter until the
IIIproperty is in compliance.
403.08. PENALTIES
Any violation of this Chapter is a misdemeanor and is subject to penalties provided
for such violations under provision of Chapter 901 of this Code.
403.09. EFFECTIVE DATE
This ordinance shall be effective from, and after its adoption and publication as
provided by City Charter.
PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FRIDLEY THIS 23RD DAY OF
JANUARY, 1995
(A-A1:44-ii -742—°—
WILLIAM J. - MAYOR
ATTEST:
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IIIWILLIAM A. CHAMPA - CITY
First Reading: January 9, 1995
Second Reading: January 23, 1995
Publication: January 31, 1995