Upcoming legislation from Shelby's Utilities & Streets Committee

Utilities Director John Ensman listed upcoming legislation to be presented to City Council. He began with Water Tap Fees and Requirement. “Recent increase in the costs for supplies and materials exceed the current amount that is charged to recover the expense to make a water tap for a new water service line,” he said.

Tap Fees are adjusted at the beginning of the year and the fee adjustment is based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The current all in cost to make a water tap is $3,213.44. The current fixed recovery cost that is charged for the tap subtracts $1,059.47. This equals about $2,153.97 which is the current recovery per water tap.

They wish to amend CHAPTER 1040: WATER, 1040.04 Rules, regulations and fixed charges for municipal water system, Rule 41:

“All water taps into the city water supply shall be charged a (change $639.59 to $706.31) tap-in fee. All threefourths of an inch water tap shall cost an additional (change $319.80 to $353.16). All other sizes up to and including two inches shall be charged an additional fee of time and material, but no less than (change $319.80 to $353.16). These costs shall be paid by the owner or developer and shall be paid before permanent water service is received. Taps up to and including two inches will be brought to the curb and the shut-off will be made at the main in the street. Taps from there into the property are the responsibility of the customer. If a two-inch tap is to be made with a corporation and curbstop, the line to be tapped must be at least an eightinch line. All other two-inch and larger size taps will be made with a tapping sleeve and valve, with the shut-off at the main in the street. Taps over two inches made by owner or developer shall just be charged the tap-in fee of (change $639.59 to $706.31).”

Cost adjustment would entail amending the current Tap Fees to the current recovery cost and continue the annual adjustment per the CPI. Ensman explained that an additional amendment in CHAPTER 1040: WATER, 1040.04 Rules, regulations and fixed charges for municipal water system,

Rule 20:

“All new or replacement of old taps from the main to the curb stop, sizes threefourths of an inch up to two inches, shall be K-type copper tubing. All sizes above two inches shall be Class 52 ductile iron or C-900 PVC pipe. All new or replacement of old service pipe from the curb stop to the inside of the building, dwelling, trailer or apparatus containing the meter, sizes three-fourths of an inch to two inches, shall be K-type copper tubing or approved plastic. All sizes above two inches shall be ductile iron bell and spigot, C-900 PVC pipe or approved equal. All pipe materials and installation shall be in accordance with current AWWA specifications and

approved by the Director of Public Service.”

The proposed amendments are after the words “approved plastic” (i.e. high density Polyethylene). Any curb box set in concrete shall be sleeved with 6 inch SDR 35 pipe.

The Sewer Tap Requirements are also to be amended. CHAPTER 1042: SEWER REGULATIONS § 1042.08 CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS AND SPECIFICATIONS. Numerous language amendments are being proposed to bring sewer lateral taps to today’s standards:

Amend “Superintendent of Wastewater Treatment and Sewers or the Director of

Public Service or his or her designee,” remove ‘watertight saddle,’ add language for: “forced sewer mains/ mechanical pumps and laterals, glued joints are not permitted, backfill requirements, etc.”

Ensman also shared that they are collecting information on items deemed not needed for municipal purposes. They are composing items from the Utilities Department, Police Department. and the Health Department. The items will be presented to Council for approval to sell. He is also researching Municibid and Govdeals to set up an account which are online auction sites.