HomeMy WebLinkAbout4B - Septic Treatment Systems
I
MEETING DATE:
AGENDA #:
PREPARED BY:
REVIEWED BY:
AGENDA ITEM:
DISCUSSION:
..... .....
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
SEPTEMBER 7,1999
4B
JANE KANSIER, PLANNING COORDINATOR
DONALD RYE, PLANNING DIRECTOR ('>>
CONSIDER APPROV Ah OF ORDINANC~
PERTAINING TO INDIVIDUAL SEPTIC ~ii~T
SYSTEMS IN THE CITY OF PRIOR LAKE
History: The City of Prior Lake has traditionally adopted by reference
Scott County Ordinance No.4, entitled "Individual Sewage Disposal
System Ordinance". By adopting this ordinance, the City was then
required to issue permits and inspect all private sewage systems in the
City. Recent changes to Minnesota Statutes and Pollution Control
Agency rules now require counties to conduct an inspection and
maintenance program for private sewage systems. Since the City has
its own ordinance, we are not subject to the Scott County
requirements. Therefore, State Statute requires that the City also
conduct a maintenance and inspection program.
The City has neither the staff nor the resources to conduct such a
program. We have discussed the possibility of some sort of joint
agreement with Scott County to conduct this program within the City
limits while allowing City staff to issue permits for new systems. The
County, however, did not seem willing to enter into such an
agreement. The County was more amenable to taking over the entire
program, including issuing permits for private septic systems in the
City.
In order to initiate this process, the City Council need only delete the
reference to the Scott County Ordinance in the City Code. By statute,
the County is then required to enforce its ordinance within the City
limits.
Current Circumstances: There are about 180 private septic systems
within the City limits. Upon adoption of the proposed amendment,
Scott County would place these systems on their list of existing
systems and provide notification of inspection and maintenance
requirements. In addition, Scott County will issue permits for any new
systems. Since the City rarely issues more than 1 or 2 permits per year
for new systems, very few property owners will be affected by the
l;\92file!i\99,QrdaJ;l1d\cityco.d~99-068\99068cc.doc Page 1
162UU Eagle creek Ave. ~.t.., Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (612) 447-4230 / Fax (612) 447-4245
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
FISCAL IMPACT:
ALTERNATIVES:
RECOMMENDED
MOTION:
REVIEWED BY:
;~f:."""-'-'-
I
.,
proposed ordinance. The City will continue to issue all building
permits, and ensure that any new construction is connected to sewer
where it is available. In cases where sewer is not available, applicants
will be referred to Scott County for a septic system permit.
The Issues: The maintenance of septic systems is important to prevent
pollution of ground water and surface water. Scott County haS the
staff and the resources to conduct such a program, while the City does
not. Adoption of the proposed ordinance will not have a major impact
on the citizens of the City.
Conclusion: Adoption of the proposed ordinance will place the
responsibility for the inspection of septic systems on Scott County,
which has the staff to handle.this program.
Budfet Impact: This proposed amendment has no immediate budget
impact. If adopted, the City will not be required to prepare a
maintenance and inspection program for septic systems. This will
eliminate the potential need for staff and other expenses involved in
such a program.
The City Council has three alternatives:
1. As part of the Consent Agenda, adopt Ordinance 99-XX approving
the proposed amendment.
2. Deny Ordinance 99-XX.
3. Defer this item and provide staffwith specific direction.
A motion and second as part of the Consent Agenda to adopt
Ordinance 99-XX approving the proposed amendment.
1:\99files\99ordamd\citycode\99-068\99068cc.doc
Page 2
CITY OF PRIOR LAKE
ORDINANCE NO. 99-XX
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 705.1200 OF THE PRIOR LAKE CITY
CODE
The City Council of the City of Prior Lake does hereby ordain:
Section 705.1200 of the Prior Lake City Code is hereby amended by adding the underlined
language and deleting the language as shown below:
705.1200 Private Sewer Disposal: Where a public sanitary sewer is not available, the
building sewer shall be connected to a private sewage disposal system complying with the
provisions of this subsection. No orivate sewasze disoosal svstem shall be installed without a
oermit issued bv Scott County.
At such time as public sewer becomes available to the property served by the private sewage
disposal system, and within a one year period, a direct connection shall be made to the public
sewage in compliance with this Section, and any septic tanks, cesspools and similar private
sewage disposal facilities shall be abandoned, pumped and filled with suitable material.
The Minnesota Plumbing Code is hereby adopted by reference. 8eett Ce1:tB~ CReftumee }>Te.
4 eB:titlea "lnaivitbtal Sewage Dispesal SysteM Ot-Eltftanee" is ftereey aseptes BY refereaee.
This ordinance shall become effective from and after its passage and publication.
Passed by the City Council of the City of Prior Lake this 7th day of September, 1999.
ATTEST:
City Manager
Mayor
Published in the Prior Lake American on the 11th day of September, 1999.
Drafted By:
City of Prior Lake Planning Department
16200 Eagle Creek Avenue
Prior Lake, MN 55372
J:\99fi1~\99Qrd~md\citY~od~9-068\ord99xx.doc Page 1
16200 Eagle creeK Ave. ::;".t.., Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (612) 447-4230 / Fax (612) 447-4245
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER