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HomeMy WebLinkAbout9A Amend Fee Deferral Policy and Approve SAC Agreement with Met Council 0 P R/0 U rn 4646 Dakota Street SE Prior Lake, MN 55372 4 INNESOl P CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT MEETING DATE: May 27, 2014 AGENDA #: 9A PREPARED BY: CASEY MCCABE, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST PRESENTED BY: DAN ROGNESS, COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR AGENDA ITEM: CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE SEWER AND WATER FEE DEFERRAL PROGRAM POLICY AND APPROVING A MASTER SAC DEFERRAL AGREEMENT WITH THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL DISCUSSION: Introduction The purpose of this agenda item is to consider amendments to the City of Prior Lake Sewer and Water Fee Deferral Program Policy and authorizing the Mayor and City Manager to enter into a revised Master SAC Deferral Agreement with the Metropolitan Council. This agenda item presumes that the city council approved Agenda Item 7A above. History On February 11, 2013 the Prior Lake City Council adopted the Metropolitan Council SAC Deferral Program (SAC refers to Sewer Availability Charge) which allowed for the deferment of SAC fees for small businesses that receive SAC determinations of 10 units or less. On February 11, 2013, the City Council also approved the City of Prior Lake Sewer and Water Fee Deferral Program Policy, which amended the city's previous sewer and water fee payment program to mirror the Metropolitan Council program, and approved an ordinance (Ord. 113- 04) amending sections 704.500, 705.600 and 705.1002 of the City Code relating to deferral of certain water connection, sewer connection, water tower charges and Metropolitan SAC charges for economic development purposes. On May 27, 2014 the City Council considered an ordinance amending Subsections 704.500 and 705.600 of the City Code earlier in this meeting under agenda item 7A. Current Circumstances During its January 22, 2014 meeting, the Metropolitan Council adopted changes to the SAC deferral program in an effort to encourage and help communities promote business development. The revised agreement language will allow businesses with a SAC determination of 25 units or less, before application of credits, to be eligible for the program. The previous SAC deferral program language only allowed those businesses with a SAC determination of 10 units or less. The Met Council also amended the definition of "Business" to mean a property or business for which the aggregate SAC determination results in a liability of twenty -five (25) SAC units or less, before application of any credits available on the site. Business does not include any type of residential property or publicly assisted housing as those terms are defined in the SAC Procedure Manual; nor does it include motels, hotels, camps, nursing homes, senior housing or prisons. Business includes commercial properties, as that term is defined in the SAC Procedure Manual, but only when the aggregate SAC determination for a commercial property is twenty -five (25) SAC units or Tess, before any applicable credits. Attached is a copy of the City of Prior Lake Sewer and Water Fee Deferral Program Policy which was adopted by the Prior Lake City Council on February 11, 2013. If the city's sewer and water fee deferral program is to mirror the revised Master SAC Deferral Agreement language, the current City of Prior Lake Sewer and Water Fee Deferral Program Policy language will need to be amended. The EDA also discussed this program and its budget implications on May 19, which resulted in a motion to have staff establish a funding source other than the EDA budget. Their rationale is that if the program is larger based on allowable SAC units, then the limited EDA budget may not fully support future demand. The EDA felt that the corresponding sewer and water trunk funds should bear the responsibility of program support. Therefore, the amended policy removes some references to the EDA, even though it will continue to have overall administrative responsibilities. To address future funding limitations, a policy amendment includes the sentence, "The City reserves the right to approve or reject specific Local Program funding requests based on the availability of funding." Conclusion To date, the City of Prior Lake has entered into two sewer and water fee deferral agreements; one with Artisan Coffee Bistro and one with Honest -1 Auto Care. Staff anticipates that extending the maximum SAC unit determination of 10 units to 25 units may result in additional applications or larger projects which would require additional program funding. ISSUES: The local sewer and water fee deferral program has been designed to facilitate business development. For that reason, deferral of SAC units Tess than three is not part of the program. A typical home would be assessed one unit. The EDA will monitor the effectiveness of this program over time. FINANCIAL As noted previously, City staff will evaluate the best funding method to sustain IMPACT: this economic development program. Additional information related to program funding may be presented to the City Council at a later date. ALTERNATIVES: 1. Motion and a second to approve amendments to the City of Prior Lake Sewer and Water Fee Deferral Program Policy, as proposed or as may be amended. 2. Motion and a second to approve the Master SAC Deferral Agreement with the Metropolitan Council. 3. Motion and second to table this item to a date certain. RECOMMENDED Alternatives #1 and #2. MOTION: ATTACHMENTS: 1. City of Prior Lake Sewer and Water Fee Deferral Program Policy (redline) 2. Master SAC Deferral Agreement 2 O. PRIP U 4646 Dakota Street SE 4 INxEsoV Prior Lake, MN 55372 RESOLUTION 14 -xxx A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE SEWER AND WATER FEE DEFERRAL PROGRAM POLICY AND APPROVING A MASTER SAC DEFERRAL AGREEMENT WITH THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL Motion By: Second By: WHEREAS, The City of Prior Lake allows a deferment of sewer and water fees in City Code Subsections 704.500 and 705.600; and WHEREAS, The Metropolitan Council approved a SAC Deferral Program for small businesses effective January 1, 2013; and WHEREAS, At its February 11, 2013 meeting, the City Council of the City of Prior Lake approved the City of Prior Lake Sewer and Water Fee Deferral Program Policy and authorized the Mayor and City Manager to enter into the Master SAC Deferral Agreement with the Metropolitan Council; and WHEREAS, At its January 22, 2014 meeting, the Metropolitan Council adopted changes to its SAC Deferral Program that became effective immediately upon adoption; and WHEREAS, The City of Prior Lake desires to participate in the Metropolitan Council's SAC Deferral Program and to amend the City of Prior Lake Sewer and Water Fee Deferral Program Policy to mirror the revised Metropolitan Council SAC Deferral Program; and WHEREAS, To participate in the regional deferral program and to establish a local program, the City Council must authorize participation in the regional program through adoption of the Master SAC Deferral Agreement; and WHEREAS, To maintain a local program and guidelines consistent with the regional program, the City of Prior Lake has amended its Sewer and Water Fee Deferral Program Policy describing the program implemented by the City and its Economic Development Authority. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PRIOR LAKE, MINNESOTA as follows: 1. The recitals set forth above are incorporated herein. 2. The City of Prior Lake Sewer and Water Fee Deferral Program Policy is hereby amended. 3. The Master SAC Deferral Agreement with the Metropolitan Council is hereby approved. 4. The Mayor and City Manager are hereby authorized to execute the Master SAC Deferral Agreement. PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 27th DAY OF MAY, 2014. VOTE Hedberg Keeney McGuire Morton Soukup Aye ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Nay ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Absent ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Abstain ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Frank Boyles, City Manager Sewer and Water Fee Deferral Program Policy City of Prior Lake, Minnesota Adopted February 11, 2013 Amended , 2014 DRAFT — D ' ,s and Additions Shown Sections I through VII of this document govern the use of two programs, including the Metropolitan Council's "SAC Deferral Program" for certain sewer fees ( "Regional Program ") and the City of Prior Lake's "Payment of Permit Fees" for certain sewer and water fees ( "Local Program "). Hereinafter, the City of Prior Lake is referred to as the "City ". SECTION I - PURPOSE. The purpose of this policy is to establish procedures to regulate, coordinate, and facilitate the approval of certain sewer and water fee deferrals for eligible businesses or properties. Eligible businesses or properties can apply for the deferral of a portion of one or more sewer /water fees, including: 1. Metropolitan Council Sewer Availability Charge (SAC) — Regional Program sewer fee; 2. Prior Lake Sewer Connection Charge — Local Program sewer fee; 3. Prior Lake Water Connection Charge — Local Program water fee; and 4. Prior Lake Water Tower Charge — Local Program water fee. For any SAC deferral between a minimum of three (3) and a maximum of tcn (10) twenty -five (25) units, this policy provides for more consistency between the Regional Program and the Local Program related to eligibility, terms and conditions. The 3 -unit minimum and the 10 unit 25 -unit maximum are determined before application of any credits on the site. The Local Program also allows anyone to apply for a deferral of sewer /water fees when the SAC determination is greater than tcn (10) twenty -five (25) units, before application of any credits on the site. SECTION II - AUTHORIZATION AND FUNDING SOURCES On November 28, 2012 (based on Minnesota Statutes 473.517, Subd. 6), the Metropolitan Council adopted changes to its SAC program to include a small business deferral program. The Regional Program became effective on January 1, 2013, and later amended, which allows a deferment of SAC fees up to ten (10) years at a low annual interest rate based on Metropolitan Council Environmental Services' (MCES) average cost of debt per statute and applied to all new deferrals originating in that particular year. Prior Lake City Code Sections 704.500 and 705.600 allow any business or property owner who qualifies to defer a portion the City's water and sewer fees. These Sections are to be amended into two (2) categories, including: 1. "Local Program A" allows eligible small businesses or property owners to apply for a City sewer /water fee deferment for SAC unit determinations between three (3) gross units and t-eR {10) twenty -five (25) gross units to match the terms and conditions of the Regional Program. 2. "Local Program B" allows any business or property owner to apply for a City sewer /water fee deferment for SAC unit determinations above tcn (10) twenty -five (25) gross units, before credits are applied. Note: The Regional Program is not available for businesses or property owners that are eligible for Local Program B. City of Prior Lake Sewer and Water Fee Deferral Program 1 - - _ - •- - ' • • - _ - - - _ • - - - - - - 9- _ - - - I. -: 11' ' The Cit reserves the ri: h o a ''rove or re'ect s•ecific Local Pro: ram fundin: re• ests based on the availability of funding. Funding for the Regional Program is not required due to the Metropolitan Council's deferral of its revenue for up to ten (10) years. The EDA will provide the Local Program dcfcr nt —The EDA will then be responsible for collecting all Local Program deferred funds from the business or property participating in the Local Program. SECTION III - PROGRAM OBJECTIVE The Metropolitan Council's stated objective is to encourage and help communities promote small business development by deferring SAC payment obligations. The City of Prior Lake has an objective in its 2030 Comprehensive Plan to encourage a diversified economic base and a broad range of employment opportunities. SECTION IV - ELIGIBILITY For the Regional Program and Local Program A, an eligible applicant is a "small business" as defined in a Master SAC Deferral Agreement between Prior Lake and the Metropolitan Council. Small business means a property or business for which the aggregate SAC determination by the Metropolitan Council results in a liability of ten (10) twenty -five (25) SAC units or less, before application of any credits available on the site. For the Regional Program and Local Program A, the City has chosen to also exclude small businesses that have a SAC unit determination less than three (3), before application of any credits available on the site. For Local Program B, any business or property owner is eligible to apply if they have a SAC determination resulting in over ten (10) twenty -five (25) units, before application of any credits available on the site. SECTION V - DEFERRAL STRUCTURE The structure of the Regional and Local Program deferrals include the following provisions: 1. The deferral amount can equal up to eighty percent (80 %) of the total sewer and /or water fees due. 2. The deferment term is five (5) years. 3. Each deferment liability will be effective the first day of the subsequent month (e.g., for an April building permit that is due and typically reported in May, interest will begin accruing June 1). 4. Interest for the Regional Program and Local Program A is determined using the Metropolitan Council's SAC Deferral Program rate, which is determined annually and set for the deferment period. Interest is amortized over the term of the deferment period using whole months. 5. Interest for Local Program B is determined using a rate of two (2) percentage points higher than the net interest cost of the most recent bonds sold by the City. 6. For the Regional Program, payments are made by the business or property owner to the City using a city automated system; a late payment fee of two percent (2 %) of the unpaid amount will be charged upon ten (10) days past due, subject to written notice by the City. 7. For the Local Program, payments are made by the business or property owner to the EDA City using a city automated system; a late payment fee of two percent (2 %) of the unpaid amount will be charged upon ten (10) days past due, subject to written notice by the EDA. 8. In the event of a default of payment that is at least sixty (60) days past due, the City or EDA shall assess the unpaid balance upon the fee owner's property taxes the following taxable year subject to the same interest rate applied to the deferred amount. The fee property owner shall sign a waiver of notice of hearing of assessment at the time of application. At the discretion of City of Prior Lake Sewer and Water Fee Deferral Program 2 the City, the City may terminate any amount due related to assessments for the Regional Program, resulting in a SAC unit credit for only the amount paid by the small business or property. 9. A "Payment Agreement" will be executed between the eligible business, the fee property owner, and the City stating all conditions and requirements of the parties for the Regional and Local Programs. This document shall be recorded. SECTION VI - INELIGIBLE CONDITIONS The following conditions create ineligibility for a business or property to apply for the Regional or Local Programs: 1. The fee owner's property taxes are delinquent. 2. The business is not in good standing with the State of Minnesota, or is in violation of a Prior Lake City Code. 3. The SAC determination (before credits) is less than three (3) units. 4. The small business does not meet the definition of eligible commercial properties in the Metropolitan Council's SAC Deferral Program (for the Regional Program and Local Program A). 5. The property is not located within the City of Prior Lake. 6. The property is located on tribal lands. SECTION VII - ADMINISTRATION The City of Prior Lake is responsible for administering the Regional Program on behalf of the Metropolitan Council. Once the Master SAC Deferral Agreement has been executed by the City and the Metropolitan Council, the City is responsible for all loan deferral collections from the eligible small business or properties participating in the Regional Program. The City is responsible for making payments of the required SAC deferment amount, plus interest, to the Metropolitan Council on an annual basis. The Prior Lake EDA is responsible for administering the Local Program on behalf of the City. No administrative fees or charges are made in connection with the Regional or Local Programs. City of Prior Lake Sewer and Water Fee Deferral Program 3 COMMUNITY: City of Prior Lake No. 13M002-1 COMMUNITY ADDRESS: 4646 Dakota St SE Prior Lake, MN 55372 CONTACT PERSON: Jerilyn Erickson, Finance Director COMMUNITY -WIDE SAC DEFERRED AMOUNT: 80% COMMUNITY -WIDE SAC DEFERMENT PERIOD: Five(5) Years PAYMENT MONTH(S): July & December MASTER SAC DEFERRAL AGREEMENT THIS MASTER SAC DEFERRAL AGREEMENT ( "Agreement ") is entered into by and between the Metropolitan Council, a public corporation and political subdivision of the State of Minnesota, with business offices at 390 Robert Street North, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55101 ( "Council "), and the local government unit identified above as the "Community." Recitals 1. The Council owns and operates the metropolitan disposal system. Under Minnesota Statutes section 473.517, subdivision 3, the costs of acquisition, betterment and debt service associated with the "reserve capacity" of the system must be allocated among and paid by the respective local government units in the metropolitan area through a sewer availability charge ( "SAC ") for each new connection or increase in capacity demand to the metropolitan disposal system within each local government unit. 2. Individual property or business owners whose properties are either newly connected or increase capacity demand to the metropolitan disposal system do not pay SAC to the Council. However, local government units that pay SAC to the Council for new connections or increased capacity demands typically pass on those costs to property and business owners by assessing property and business owners a "Local SAC" which sometimes includes local add -on charges. 3. Minnesota Statutes section 473.517, subdivision 6 authorizes the Council to provide for the deferment of payment of all or part of the allocated costs which are allocated by the Council to a local government unit in any year pursuant to section 473.517, subdivision 3. The deferments are repayable at such time or times as the Council shall specify, with interest. 4. At its November 28, 2012 meeting, the Council adopted changes to its SAC program including a small business SAC deferral program. The changes became effective January 1, 2013. At its January 22, 2014 meeting, the Council adopted changes to the SAC deferral program that became effective immediately upon adoption. 5. The Council wants to encourage and help communities promote business development by deferring community SAC payment obligations pursuant to Minnesota Statutes section 473.517, Met. Council No. 13M002-1 subdivision 6, so participating communities may pass through to businesses the benefits of deferred SAC payments by the communities. The Council's Sewer Availability Charge Procedure Manual (January 2014) states that communities that want to participate in a SAC deferral program must execute a standard master SAC deferral agreement with the Council. 6. To obtain a deferment of a SAC payment obligation and provide assistance to businesses, communities will submit to the Council a signed master SAC deferral agreement. For the term of the master agreement, communities will have the option to note on their monthly SAC reporting, on forms as provided by the Council, the eligible SAC liabilities for which the communities are requesting a SAC payment deferment from the Council. For each such subject SAC liability the deferment will be effective as of the first day of the subsequent month (e.g., for an April building permit that is reported for SAC in May, the deferment will be effective as of June 1). 7. In order to define the rights and obligations of the Community and the Council and the relevant SAC deferral arrangements, the Community and the Council agree as follows: Article 1 - Definitions 1.1 Definition of Terms. Unless otherwise provided or indicated by the context, the terms defined in this article have the meanings given them in this article. Capitalized terms or phrases used in this Agreement have the meanings given them in the most recent version of the Council's Sewer Availability Charge Procedure Manual (the "SAC Procedure Manual "). (a) Community. "Community" means a "Community" or "Customer Community" as those terms are defined in the SAC Procedure Manual. (b) Determination. "Determination" has the meaning ascribed to that term in the SAC Procedure Manual. (c) Regional Portion of Local SAC. The "Regional Portion of Local SAC" means that portion of the Community's SAC payment obligations to the Council that the Community passed on to properties within the Community's jurisdiction and does not include any local add -on charges. (d) SAC Deferred Amount. "SAC Deferred Amount" means the amount of the Community's SAC obligation under Minnesota Statutes section 473.517, subdivision 3 that has been deferred pursuant to Minnesota Statutes section 473.517, subdivision 6 and the terms and conditions of this Agreement. (e) Business. "Business" means a property or business for which the aggregate SAC Determination results in a liability of twenty -five (25) SAC units or less, before application of any Credits available on the Site. Business does not include any type of "Residential Property" or "Publicly Assisted Housing" as those terms are defined in the SAC Procedure Manual; nor does it include motels, hotels, camps, nursing homes, senior housing or prisons. Business includes "Commercial Properties," as that term is defined in the SAC Procedure 2 Met. Council No. 13M002-1 Manual, but only when the aggregate SAC Determination for a Commercial Property is twenty -five (25) SAC units or less, before any applicable Credits. Article 2 — SAC Deferred Amount; Interest; Payments 2.1 SAC Deferred Amount. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and applicable law, the Council will allow the Community to defer payment on the Community's SAC obligations for Business properties within the Community's jurisdiction in an amount not to exceed eighty percent (80 %) of the SAC due for the properties that are either newly connected or increase capacity demand to the metropolitan disposal system. The percentage by which the Community elects to defer payment on the Community's SAC obligations must be applied on a community -wide basis to all participating Businesses within the Community's jurisdiction. The "Community -Wide SAC Deferred Amount" is stated as a percentage on Page 1 of this Agreement. The deferment is available only to properties for which the aggregate Determination is twenty -five (25) SAC units or less. In each instance in which the Community exercises this deferment option, the SAC amount that is not deferred is due and payable at the time the SAC liability is incurred by the Community. Payments on the non - deferred amounts are due with the regular SAC reporting to the Council, pursuant to the SAC Procedure Manual. The deferred SAC liability begins accruing interest on the first day following the regular SAC reporting. 2.2 Interest. Annually at each calendar year -end, the Council will determine the average rate on its wastewater bonds, pursuant to Minnesota Statutes section 473.517, subdivision 6. All new SAC deferments during the following calendar year will be subject to that interest rate, but that interest rate will be fixed for the duration of the deferment period for each deferral originated in that calendar year. Interest on unpaid SAC Deferred Amount balances will be computed in whole months, however, payments to the Council can be annual. 2.3 Payments. When the Council invoices the Community for payments on its SAC Deferred Amount, the Council will provide the Community with a payment schedule that amortizes the SAC Deferred Amount and interest on that deferred amount over the term of the deferment period. The Community's payment schedule will list the Business properties for which the Community elected to defer payments on the Community's SAC obligations to the Council. The Community will make payments to the Council at least annually. The Community may elect to make payments semi - annually or more frequently to correspond with the Community's Local SAC collections, assessments or other payments from Businesses, but the same payment schedule must apply to all Community SAC Deferred Amounts. The month(s) the Community elected to make its SAC payments to the Council under the payment schedule are identified on Page 1 of this Agreement as the "Payment Month(s)." The Community may repay or prepay the Council the unpaid balance of a SAC Deferred Amount at any time prior to the end of the deferment period. Any repayment or prepayment made by the Community shall be without penalty to the Community. The Community's payment schedule will be recalculated during the term of the deferment period to reflect: (a) repayments or prepayments by the Community; (b) the Community's election (if any) to discontinue making payments on its SAC Deferral Amount for a Site pursuant to Section 4.2(b); (c) any Community payments to the Council pursuant to Section 4.1(b);or (d) the addition of new Business properties for which the Community elects to defer payment on the Community's SAC obligations to the Council. 3 Met. Council No. 13M002 -1 2.4 Local SAC Payments from Businesses. Subject to the limitation stated in Sections 3.2 and 4.1, the Community may enter into a payment or other agreement with each Business for payment of Local SAC to the Community on terms and conditions agreed to by the Community and the Business. Except as described in Section 4.2, failure of a Business to make its Local SAC payments to the Community or the Community's failure (or choice) not to assess or collect Local SAC from a Business shall not relieve the Community of its obligation to pay the Council any unpaid SAC Deferred Amount, plus interest, or otherwise meet its SAC payment obligations under Minnesota Statutes section 473.517, subdivision 6 or other law. Article 3 - Term of Deferments 3.1 Term of Agreement. Unless otherwise terminated pursuant to this Agreement, this Agreement shall remain in force and effect until the term of the last deferment period expires for Business properties listed on the Community's payment schedule. The Council reserves the right to cancel, suspend or modify its SAC deferral program at any time and for any reason upon thirty (30) calendar days written notice to the Community. If the Council cancels, suspends or modifies its SAC deferral program it will honor all existing SAC deferrals which the Community elected to make under this Agreement prior to the cancellation, suspension or modification. The Community is responsible for giving timely notice to the Community's participating Businesses or prospective participant Businesses of any cancellation, suspension or modification of the Council's SAC deferral program that may affect the Community's local SAC deferral program. 3.2 Term of Deferment. The Community elects the term of the SAC deferments between the Council and the Community, but the maximum term of a Community's SAC deferment shall not exceed ten (10) years. The Community may have only one SAC deferment period and must have the same SAC deferment period for all Business properties covered by this Agreement. The Community's "Community -Wide SAC Deferment Period" is identified on Page 1 of this Agreement. Article 4 — Local SAC Deferrals 4.1 Local Terms and Conditions. The Community will be responsible for identifying property and business owners that qualify for the Community's SAC deferral program pursuant to any Community terms or conditions. The Council will disapprove a Community deferment request only if a property or business owner does not qualify as a Business as defined in this Agreement. Because the Council's SAC deferral program is intended to benefit Businesses, the Community must administer its local SAC deferral program in a revenue - neutral manner. The Community agrees its SAC payments to the Council will not be less than the Regional Portion of Local SAC payments the Community receives from participating Businesses. (a) Local Deferment Period. The Community agrees it will not allow a Business a less generous deferment period (i.e., a shorter deferment period) for payment of the Regional Portion of Local SAC than the term of the Community's Community -Wide Deferment Period. This Agreement is not intended to govern the payment or deferment of any local add -on charges by the Community (if any) for Business properties. 4 Met. Council No. 13M002-1 (b) Local .Deferred Amount. The Regional Portion of Local SAC deferred by the Community for a Business's benefit shall not be less than the Community's SAC Deferred Amount. If a Business elects to prepay the Community some or all of the Regional Portion of Local SAC deferred by the Community, the Community must make a like payment to the Council to cover the Community's SAC obligations to the Council for the Business property. If a Business elects to prepay some of the Regional Portion of Local SAC deferred by the Community the Council will recalculate the Community's payment schedule. 4.2 Unpaid Local SAC. If a Business ceases operations or moves from the Site and does not require the incremental wastewater capacity represented by the SAC deferral, the Community may exercise one of the following two options: (a) Continue SAC Payments. The Community may continue to make its payments to the Council under the payment schedule. If the Community elects this option it will accrue SAC Credits for the Site in accordance with the SAC Credit provisions of the SAC Procedure Manual. (b) Discontinue SAC Payments. The Community may discontinue making its payments to the Council on the Community's SAC Deferral Amount for the Site. The Community must notify the Council if the Community elects this option and it must certify to the Council that the incremental capacity no longer is needed at the Site. The Community is responsible for making all SAC payments on the SAC Deferral Amount that were due prior to the notice. The Site will not be credited with the portion of the wastewater capacity not paid (for future SAC Determinations), but will receive Credit for actual SAC paid (including partial units). No Community SAC deferral payments to the Council will be refunded. Net Credits will be available to the Community for Community -Wide Credits only if a new SAC Determination establishes a permanent reduction of capacity demand. 4.3 Late Community Payments. If the Community makes a late SAC deferral payment to the Council, an additional administrative charge of two percent (2 %) of the unpaid balance of the SAC Deferred Amount per month (or such higher interest rate allowable under law) will be applied. Article 5 - Notices 5.1 Written Notices. Any notice, request, demand and other correspondence required by or made in accordance with this Agreement shall be in writing and delivered: To the Council: Metropolitan Council Attn: MCES Finance Director 390 Robert Street North Saint Paul, Minnesota 55101 -1806 To the Community: The Community's "Contract Person" identified on Page 1 At the "Community Address" identified on Page 1 5 Met. Council No. 13M002-1 5.2 Notice Delivery. Any notices or other correspondence shall be deemed to have been received: (a) three (3) calendar days after the date on the notice if the notice is sent by U.S. Mail; or (b) the next business day from the date on the notice if the notice is sent by facsimile or by e- mail. Article 6 - Defaulting Liabilities 6.1 Liability. To the extent permitted or authorized by law, the Community will hold the Council harmless and indemnify the Council against any actions, charges, claims, costs, damages, demands, expenses, liabilities, losses and proceedings which the Council may suffer or be subject to as a result of any default by a Business or the Community of the Community's SAC payment obligations under this Agreement or under applicable law. A Business's failure to pay Local SAC shall not relieve the Community of its obligation to pay the Community's SAC obligations to the Council. Nothing in this Agreement shall be interpreted as a waiver of any liability limitations or immunities granted to the Council and the Community by Minnesota Statutes chapter 466 or by other applicable state or federal law. 6.2 Survival of Terms. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the validity of this Article and the Community's obligation to pay its SAC obligations shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement. Article 7 - Miscellaneous 7.1 Dispute Resolution. Any dispute arising under this Agreement shall be settled through consultations between the Council's and the Community's representatives. If an agreement regarding a dispute cannot be reached within thirty (30) days upon notice of a dispute from the Council or the Community, either party is then entitled to bring such dispute before the courts of this state or take such action as otherwise allowed by law. 7.2 Exercise of Rights. Any rights, powers and remedies granted to the Council and the Community by this Agreement shall not preclude or limit any other rights, powers and remedies available to the Council or the Community in accordance with law and other provisions of this Agreement. The exercise of any rights, powers and remedies by the Council or the Community shall not preclude the Council or the Community from exercising any other rights, powers and remedies available to the Council or the Community. No failure or delay by the Council or the Community to exercise any of their respective rights, powers and remedies under this Agreement or in accordance with applicable laws shall be construed as a waiver of such rights, powers, and remedies. The waiver of any right, power or remedy, in whole or in part, shall not preclude the Council or the Community from exercising any of their other respective rights, powers or remedies. 7.3 Severability of Provisions. Each provision in this Agreement shall be severable from and independent of the other provisions. If one or more provisions are held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall not be affected and shall remain in force and effect. 6 Met. Council No. 13M002-1 7.4 Amendments and modifications. Any amendments or modifications to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall become effective only upon execution of the amendment by the Council's and the Community's authorized representatives. 7.5 Assignment. The Community shall not assign any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement to any third party, even if the Site which was the subject of the SAC liability is removed from the jurisdiction of the Community. The Community may not barter, trade, sell or otherwise treat any SAC payment obligation deferments or SAC Credits as a commodity and the Council will not honor any agreements between the Community and any third parties that purport to barter, trade, sell or otherwise treat any SAC payment obligation deferments or SAC Credits as a commodity. 7.6 Successors. This Agreement shall be binding on the legal successors of the Council and the Community, whether by operation of law or otherwise. 7.7 Warranty of Legal Capacity. The individuals signing this Agreement on behalf of the Community and the Council represent and warrant on the Community's and the Council's behalf respectively that the individuals are duly authorized to execute this Agreement on the Community's and the Council's behalf respectively and that this Agreement constitutes the Community's and the Council's valid, binding and enforceable agreement. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Community and the Council have caused this Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized representatives. This Agreement is effective on the date of final execution by the Council. CITY OF PRIOR LAKE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL By: By: Print Name: Jason Willett Mayor Director, MCES Finance Date: Date: By: City Manager Date: 7