HomeMy WebLinkAboutA003 - Council Action Form dated March 7, 1990 ITEM #
DATE Mar 7 1990
SUBJECT: An ordinance adopting by reference the Onsite Wastewater
Treatment and Disposal Systems Rules of the Iowa Administrative Code
(Chapter 69) for Ames, Iowa.
BACKGROUND:
This past summer it became apparent to city staff that an ordinance
regulating onsite sewage disposal systems was needed. In fact, the
administrative authority for the regulation over onsite sewage waste disposal
systems in the City of Ames is the responsibility of the Ames City Board of
Health as provided in Section 69.3 (1) of Chapter 69 ONSITE WASTEWATER
TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL SYSTEMS.
Adopting Chapter 69 provides city staff a much better means to handle the
installation, reconstruction, and repair to any existing onsite disposal
system, thereby insuring no illegal discharges to water sources or ground
surfaces.
Chapter 69 regulations will pertain only to those property owners in Ames
currently served by a septic tank and drainfield or any new installations (i.e.
Construct's new building on S. Dayton) where city sewer is not reasonably
accessible. This ordinance will not deal with the impact of requests for
onsite disposal systems in future developments.
Attached please find copies of: the proposed ordinance, a survey (and
results) that was sent to homeowners utilizing onsite sewage disposal that
were identified as being within 200 feet of city sewer, and a letter that is
proposed to be sent to all homeowners in Ames that currently utilize onsite
sewage disposal.
Although not indicated in the ordinance (yet), staff is proposing a permit fee
of $40 when permits will be required. No fees will be charged for the
biannual inspections of existing systems.
ALTERNATIVES
1) Place on the March 20, City Council agenda the adoption of Chapter 69,
ONSITE WASTEWATER TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL SYSTEMS, found in
Section 567 (Environmental Protection) of the Iowa Administrative Code,
in its entirety to be the onsite wastewater treatment and disposal
system rules of Ames, Iowa. The City Sanitarian to be delegated as
the responsible party for enforcing such regulations.
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2) Adopt Chapter 69, ONSITE WASTEWATER TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL
SYSTEMS, found in Section 567 (Environmental Protection) of the Iowa
Administrative Code, in its entirety to be the onsite wastewater
treatment and disposal system rules of Ames, Iowa, contracting with the
Story County Health Department (or another agency) for the
enforcement of such regulations.
3) Formalize other arrangements with the State of Iowa, Department of
Natural Resources for the enforcement of Chapter 69 within Ames, Iowa.
MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
It is recommended by the City Manager that the Council adopt Alternative #1.
This would entail placing on the March 20, Council agenda, an ordinance
adopting Chapter 69 ONSITE WASTEWATER TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL
SYSTEMS and utilizing the City Sanitarian to enforce these regulations.
COUNCIL ACTION: