HomeMy WebLinkAboutA001 - Council Action Form dated April 22, 1997 O
ITEM#__ _
DATE
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
WEDCT: CROSS-CONNECTION CONTROL_PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATiON
BACKGROQNND:
On January 9, 1996.Council attended a workshop on file cross-connection control program.
directed staff to pursue a program that focuses on the protection of the water system services Council
from
will,potential high hazards(PHH). High hazard is defined as a condition which may cause health
problems such as human illness or loss of life. Since The workshop,a cross-connection control
coordinator has been hired and has started preparing for the program Implementation. Specifically,
the coordinator has collected considerable background data or,customer activities related to cross-
conriection and backflow programs,customer surveys,and data/recordkeeping systems. He also
has developed alternatives for the program implementation:started contacts with some of the
program stakeholders,such as the Plumbing Board;and has started city-wide public education by i
Providing malerial in the City Side. i
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There are several ways to implement the program. One approach is to focus on completing the
hazard evaluation survey for all PHH services before proceeding with the other elements of the ;
program. With this approach,it may take several years to complete all surveys,arid the level of
Protection will'lot inprove until installations actually begin. A second option Is a phased startup(i.e. ,
priority order inrplen,enla,ion).of PHH se In this option,the hazard evaluation survey is started for a core group
rvices while staff concurrently begins education/public relations,requires installalion and
testing, and performs record keeping. Subsequently.another core group is identified for survey
while existing units implement testing and repair. Thus, increasing levels of protection will occur 1
beginning in the first year.
The 1997 98 budget request for implemcnlalion of the program is
software, training). These will be allocaticd 10 the Water Meter Division of U e (salary,
sala rind 11 alien
Control Department which will be responsible for the containment part of the program. The
resources request by the Inspection Division for intplememaliun of llte confinement par, of the
program is minimal and can be handled within their cxisling buckle!.
ALTERNATIVES:
1: A. Funding. "'ifs program►is another unfunded mandate. Staff have identified the following
ntelftods lot funding lire program.
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I• Assess fees to customers installing conlainntenl devices. The juslilicalion is that their
operations have potenlual lot harm they will be responsible for costs for correction.
If this option is chosen,11e charge ntay be assessed in the following methods.
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a. Perr,lil charge lot the mili;il inslallalion,b. Uniform testixl,and annual follow upmonthly charcic ,
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c_ Uniform once/year usei/Ulutl charge
2. Furtdlirg Iron,the General Fund. The justification is that the entire City benefits frorn
the prWirain.
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3. Funding from the Water Fund. The justification is that all water customers benefit
from the program,
4. A combination of the above, such as 50 percent from the General Fund and 50
percent permit fee.
B. In)DIermgntalion. Staff have identified the following methods for implementing the program.
1. Complete the hazard evaluation survey for PHH services. Develop a prioritized fist
and proceed with requiring installation,record-keeping,and annual testing.
2. Initiate a phased startup by conducting the hazard evaluation survey for a core group
of PHH services while concurrently implenienting other aspects of the program. Staff
has developed an implementation plan(copy attached)for this alternative.
Regardless of implementation method, the city's cross-connection control ordinance should be
revised to conform to the state rules and regulations. The city attorney has revised the ordinance,
and it is included in the attached implementation plan.
MANAG_ER E MEN ED SGUQN:
It is the recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council
A. approve the attached implementation plan with the stipulation that city staff initiate the
program with a core group of custorers with a potential high hazard;
S. approve the attached cross-connection control ordinance which replaces the existing
ordinance,and
C. approve one of the following methods for funding the program administration.
1. It the City Council believes that the aflected customers must pay for the correction of
the problem,assess fees to customers installing containment devices. The lee will
be$30/year. i
2. If the City Council believes that fire program benefits all customers, then approve
lunding the program from the Water Fund.
COVNQU aCrION: i
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