Loading...
01-31-1980 - Special v u ~ tf'- . J 1 \.' . c., Ct f C d. L " t CITY OF EDGEWATER CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING January 31, 1980 CALL TO ORDER /" Mayor Christy called the special Council meeting to order immediately upon the adjournment of the joint meeting with the Merit Board, in City Hall. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the Water - Wastewater Ordinance. ROLL CALL Mayor Robert H. Christy Councilman Louis J. Rotundo Councilman David C. Ledbetter Councilman William B. Glaser Councilman Neil J. Asting City Attorney Judson Woods City Clerk Joseph Herget Police Chief Earl Baugh Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Mayor Christy explained that we have already held workshops on this and we asked the attorney to draw up the ordinance as it is. He added that we need to get something done. He recom- mended that we go with the ordinance as we all worked it out. He would also like to make this an emergency, because we rieed the money. Councilman Ledbetter stated that when the first water system went into Edgewater and the lines went past people's houses, they waived the tap fee on this and gave them ninety days to hook up. He doesn't see any difference in the situation now. Councilman Asting stated that things have been brought to the Council's attention since the workshops that have to be taken into consideration. One matter being the fact that some people in the shores area had to put in wells when they built their homes; the cost of which was $500 or $800. Now we are going to run the lines in front of their properties and force them to hook up at the full cost of $455. This is not fair. Councilman Glaser stated that it was discussed before about waiving the impact fee for houses that were built back for some period of time. He doesn't know how else to get around this. Councilman Asting asked about the legality of mandatory hook ups. Attorney Woods stated that there is a case law that supports man- datory hook ups for both water and sewer in Florida. At present our ordinance speaks to mandatory hook ups for sewer only. \ ~ Q o Councilman Rotundo stated that he also agrees that these people should have some type of relief, but not a free ride. Councilman Asting asked the Water Superintendent how many houses we are talking about. Mr. Wadsworth answered that at present you are speaking of about forty houses, however you are picking up more every day. There was discussion about future salt water intrusion in the wells. Mayor Christy emphasized the fact that a decision has to be made. Mr. Witzig spoke that he doesn't feel that it is fair to hit the new construction with this burden. It seems that everyone should bear this; why not a rate increase? A lady spoke to the Council that it is not fair to make people hook up who already have wells with good water to use. Councilman Asting asked the Council to consider waiving the impact fee for the people who built their houses on streets where they could not hook up to the water and had to buy wells. Any building done where the water line now exists; they will pay the full charge. Mayor Christy asked what date IS going to be placed on this? Councilman Asting stated that no date is necessary, if there IS an existing line, the full charge is paid, if there is no line at the time this ordinance is passed, the impact fee is waived. Councilman Glaser asked if someone builds a house 500 feet down from the line and the City runs the line down to their house, do they pay the cost of running that line? It was explained that the City is paying for this. Councilman Glaser stated that he thought part of the problem is that the City is having to run water lines a long distance to provide water to certain houses that are being built. Councilman Asting explained that the long range plan is to have water lines throughout the Florida Shores area, that is not the situation. If someone builds a house that is within a reasonable distance from the existing line, the water is put in at the time of construction. There was discussion again about a line extension having to be made and the builder having to pay for this. Councilman Glaser asked what would happen if the builder of a house, who would have to pay for the line extension, decided not to pay this and put in a well instead. Then later the line was extended in front of that house; the owner would hook up and not have to pay the impact fee. There was discussion about whether the Water, Wastewater Depart- ment actually needs this money. Councilman Asting made a motion that we table the Ordinance until we have a budget hearing on the Water and Wastewater funds, being seconded by Councilman Ledbetter. Councilman Glaser stated that this ordinance was rewritten because of a basic existing problem; that it is costing the City money to lay water lines and it is not being paid for. He doesn't think a budget hearing is going to change that fact. He feels that the -2- o o people who want the water should pay for it, and also that the people who previously had to buy wells should be given some relief. He also feels that the fee that we charge for water should go to the operation and maintenance of the water plant and not for the water lines. There was discussion about the monies that are collected when new hook ups are made. Councilman Glaser stated that he thought the City was having to install more water lines and that it was costing us money, and this was part of the reason for amending the ordinance. Mayor Christy asked the Superintendents if they have any comments. Mr. Bosse stated that Mr. Glaser is correct that this is part of the reason for the amendment of the ordinance. Another thing is that the stack of ordinances that we have as far as policies for operating the system and constructing the system is so immense, it is almost impossible to comprehend. He added that the money that has been collected for the water and sewer bills that should be used to operate the plants has been going in the ground in pipe- lines. Mr. Opal spoke to the Council that the budget should have been considered before any of these lines were laid. These people should not have to hook up if they don't want to, and the ones who already had to buy wells should have some relief. He added that the City water is still not the way it should be. There was discussion about a front line assessment to property owners for the water and sewer. The City Attorney explained that this was discussed before and was on the ballot once. Councilman Asting asked how much of the water line pipe 1S left at the plant. Mr. Wadsworth stated that they have about 10,000 feet of p1pe at the present time. Councilman Asting stated that perhaps when this 10,000 feet of pipe is used, then we could start charging individuals for the lines for people requesting water where there are not lines. Upon roll call vote on the motion to table this matter, the motion DIED 2-3. There was discussion about Councilman Asting's suggestion that where no water lines existed at the time a house was built and the people had to buy a well, the impact fee be waived and they would pay a hook up fee only. Councilman Rotundo made a motion that this change be made in the ordinance, and that the section reading 1974 be stricken, being seconded by Councilman Glaser. Councilman Glaser asked if this means the people would be required to hook up even if they have a well; they just won't pay the impact fee. This is correct. If the water line exists, when a building permit is issued they are told then that they have to hook up; they can not put in a well. The homes that are already built before the water line goes in will have to hook up but the impact fee will be waived. -3- . o o Councilman Asting stated that it is also in this ordinance that the people who ar~ having to hook up and already have their homes, will be allowed to pay this hook up fee in monthly payments and not all at one time. He added that he still feels that we should hold off on this ordinance until we can discuss the budget with the two supervisors and that this should be done as soon as possible. Mr. Witzig asked if there 1S a time limit 1n the ordinance for people to hook up. It was explained to him that the hook ups should be done within one year. There was discussion at this time about changing this to a ninety day hook up rather than one year. Upon roll call vote on the motion to waive the impact fee, the motion CARRIED 5-0. Councilman Ledbetter made a motion that we amend the mandatory hook up period from one year to ninety days, being seconded by Councilman Rotundo. Councilman Asting stated that he feels that this may cause a hardship on quite a few people. Some people may not have the money to pay for this. After discussion on this matter, it was explained that the hook up would be made b~ the City after ninety days and then charge the people. Upon roll call vote the motion CARRIED 3-2. Mayor Christy stated that this ordinance will be read at our next meeting, February 11th. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion and second to adjourn. Meeting adjourned. Minutes Submitted By: ...., ,. ~- , Nancy Blazi Debbie Sigler ATTEST-: i~1{;~ Approved this ~ay of LD~~. O~d ~-t,,,~- counc~ 'counc1Iman'" . ~ ~ :y~ -4-