ORDINANCE NO. 333

AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF SOUTH PRAIRIE, PIERCE COUNTY, WASHINGTON ESTABLISHING A COMPREHENSIVE ORDINANCE FOR SEWER REGULATIONS AND RATES, THE ESTABLISHMENT OF EQUIVALENT RESIDENTIAL UNITS AS A METHOD FOR RATE DETERMINATION, ESTABLISHMENT OF HOOK UP FEES.

Whereas, prior regulations dealing with sewers were established in Resolutions #131, #142 and #146. Under Resolution #164 those resolutions are repealed to establish a comprehensive utility system dealing with a comprehensive set of ordinances on sewer and water, and

Whereas, it is for the convenience of its customers and for administration the Town desires to develop a comprehensive utility, sewer and water ordinances, and

Whereas, Ordinance #330 repealed prior ordinances dealing with water, Ordinance #331 established general regulations for sewer and water, and Ordinance #332 established an ordinance for water regulations and rates, and

Whereas, this ordinance establishes a comprehensive ordinance for sewer regulations and rates, and

Whereas, it desires to establish a rate system for sewer which is based upon equivalent residential units, and

Whereas, the development of a billing system based upon equivalent residential units is a fair and equitable method of

Ordinance No.: 333

Draft No.: 2

Draft Date: December 20, 1996 Ordinance Requested by:

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charging for the utility, and

Whereas, the establishment of a comprehensive sewer ordinance is in conformity with the Comprehensive Plan, and

Whereas, the establishment of a comprehensive water ordinance and sewer ordinance is in conformity with the Capital Facilities Plans, and

Whereas, the establishment of a comprehensive sewer ordinance in establishing a fair and equitable basic rate based upon equivalent residential units is in the best interest of public health, safety and welfare, and

Whereas, a public hearing was held on this ordinance and Resolution #164, Ordinances #330, #331, and #332, all at the same time and date and public testimony was taken.

Now, therefore, the Town Council of the Town of South Prairie, Pierce County, Washington do ordain as follows:

Section 1: Sewer Connections:

A. Single Family Residential Unit: Prior to hooking up the sewer system, each single family unit shall pay a hookup fee of $3,500.00 per single family unit.

B. Hookup Fee for Units other than Single Family Residential: Any use, other than a single family residential shall pay $3,500.00 per equivalent residential unit (ERU).

C. Rates and Charges for Sewer Use:

1. Each customer shall pay $29.00 per month per equivalent residential unit (ERU).

One single family residential unit shall be one ERU.

Ordinance No.: 333

Draft No.: 2

Draft Date: December 20, 1996 Ordinance Requested by:

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2. Establishment of ERUs: The following are the number of ERUs established for each respective category:

A. Tavern: 6 ERUs

B. Espresso Stands: 1.5 ERUs.

C. Hillstroms Manufacturing: 4.0 ERUs.

D. Hillstroms Warehouse: 1.5 ERUs.

E. Arnold's Convenient Store: 1_.5 ERUs.

F. Post Office: 1.5 ERUs.

G. Town Hall: 1.5 ERUs.

H. Church: 1.5 ERUs.

I. The Spot: 1.5 ERUs.

J. Paulson: 1.5 ERUs.

K. Auto Shop: 1.5 ERUs.

L. Fire Hall/Community Center: 1.5 ERUs.

M. Sewer Plant: 1.5 ERUs.

N. Ross: 1.5 ERUs.

O. RV Park: 93 ERUs.

P. Feed Store + 1 house + 1 apartment: 3.5 ERUs.

Section 2: Utility Tax on Sewer: An 8% utility tax shall be applied to the sewer utility gross receipts. Gross receipts consist of those monies received from charges as set forth above.

Section 3: Wastewater Discharge Restrictions: No person, firm or business shall discharge or cause to be discharged any storm water, surface water or ground water, including roof run off and foundation drainage to any sanitary sewer.

Ordinance No.: 333

Draft No.: 2

Draft Date: December 20, 1996 Ordinance Requested by:

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Section 4: Connection Permit: It is unlawful for any person to make any opening in any sewer, drain or connect any private sewer or drain thereto without complying with all the provisions of this chapter, and obtaining a permit from the Town to make such connection or opening. A sum shall be charged and collected by the Town for any connection permit as established by resolution.

Section 5: Inspection of Work: No trench shall be refilled or any connection connecting sewer constructed until the same has been inspected and approved by or under the direction of the Town at the point where the same connects with the pipe or other plumbing of the building or the premises being connected.

Section 6: Right to Access: A Town inspector or authorized representative shall have the right to enter upon any land, buildings or premises required to be connected by this chapter to the sanitary sewer or disconnect source or sources of stormwater, ground water, or surface water from the sanitary sewer, at all reasonable times to ascertain whether the provisions of this chapter have been complied with or are being complied with, and if they find that such lands, buildings or premises connections or disconnections do not conform to provisions of this chapter, notify the owner or occupant of his duty to alter, repair or reconstruct to make them in conformity with the provisions of this chapter within fifteen (15) days from receiving notice.

Section 7: Penalties: Any person who violates or fails to comply with any provision of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and punished by a term not to exceed one year and/or a fine of $5,000.00 or both.

Ordinance No.: 333

Draft No.: 2

Draft Date: December 20, 1996 Ordinance Requested by:

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Section 8: If any provision of this ordinance is determined to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason, the remaining provisions of this ordinance shall remain in force and affect.

Section 9: This ordinance shall take affect and be in force January 1, 1997.

_________________

Marla Nevill

Acting Town Clerk/Treasurer

Attested:

____________________

Mayor Dale P. Stubbs

INTRODUCED:          12/17/96

PASSED:                     12/17/96

APPROVED:               12/31/96

PUBLISHED:              12/26/96