HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Setting Date for Public Hearing for Establishment of Water and Sanitary Sewer Connection Districts in Prairie View Industrial Area RESOLUTION NO. 22-625
RESOLUTION SETTING DATE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF
WATER AND SANITARY SEWER CONNECTION DISTRICTS IN THE
PRAIRIE VIEW INDUSTRIAL AREA AND
DIRECTING CITY ATTORNEY TO PREPARE ORDINANCES
FOR THE CITY OF AMES,IOWA
WHEREAS, the Prairie View Utility Extension Project consists of the extension of water
and sanitary sewer mains to the recently annexed area east of Interstate 35 (I-35). A water main
and a gravity sewer main have been constructed from 4100 East Lincoln Way(just east of Country
Landscapes)to Teller Ave(580th)and are being further extended to Potter Ave(590th)this winter.
A sanitary sewer force main has been installed from Freel Drive to Teller Avenue and a sanitary
sewer lift station has been constructed south of East Lincoln Way at 207 South Teller Avenue. In
order to recover the local costs from this project, sewer and water connection fee districts are being
established for new industrial development area, as directed by the City Council in July 2018; and,
WHEREAS, Cities may establish utility connection districts to recoup costs associated
with construction through fees collected at the time utility service is requested. This process is
authorized under Iowa Code, Section 384.38(3). In addition to construction, costs include design
and inspection of these improvements. Utility connection districts will be established based on
gross acreage to recover the local funding cost from industrial development parcels, including any
adjoining parcels under common ownership, prior to site plan (including future phases) or final
plat approval, whichever occurs first. Any parcel requesting utility service, but not requiring site
plan or final plat approval will also be required to pay the connection fees; and,
WHEREAS, during discussions with the existing residents along East Lincoln Way,
concern was expressed regarding their high "per acre" water and sewer connection costs.
Therefore, City Council agreed that those existing residences would not be included in the
connection fee districts to connect their homes. Instead, these property owners would pay the
standard connection fee as stipulated in Appendix F of the Ames Municipal Code (currently $30
per lineal foot of frontage). However, the residential lots in this area are significantly larger than
in the urban residential lots within Ames. Therefore, the residential properties would make a one-
time connection using a typical 80 lineal foot width for the connection fee calculation.If residential
properties are further subdivided for development, additional connection fees would be owed to
meet the requirements of this connection district; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Ames was fortunate to receive $1,500,000 from the Economic
Development Administration and$2,900,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds for this project.
The connection districts will only recover the local costs in the amount $5,300,000 ($1,100,000
water and $4,200,000 sewer) from General Obligation Bonds. These connection fees are separate
from the rural water service territory buyout fee, which currently is currently approximately
$2,761/acre; and,
WHEREAS, the proposed sanitary sewer connection district of approximately 1,221.33
acres is shown in Attachment A along with the property owners who will be served by this main.
The estimated fee for all non-residential parcels shown in Attachment A is $3,438.87 per acre. The
ordinance will include a schedule of per acre cost including reasonable interest; and,
WHEREAS, the separate proposed water connection district of approximately 1,221.33
acres is shown in Attachment A, along with the property owners that are to be served by this main.
The estimated connection fee for water main improvements is $900.66 per acre. The ordinance
will include a schedule of per acre cost including reasonable interest; and,
WHEREAS, the City-owned property at 207 South Teller Avenue is not included in the
water or sewer connection districts because no facilities will be constructed requiring water or
sewer service.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Ames, Iowa,
that setting January loth, 2023, as date of public hearing for establishment of water and sanitary
sewer connection districts in the Prairie View Industrial Area and directing City Attorney to
prepare ordinances to establish these districts to recover City costs to install utilities as the
properties are developed are hereby approved.
ADOPTED THIS 13th day of December, 2022.
Renee kall, City Clerk John A. Haila, Mayor
Introduced by: Betcher
Seconded by: Corrieri
Voting aye: Beatty-Hansen, Betcher, Corrieri, Gartin, Junck, Rollins
Voting nay: None Absent: None
Resolution declared adopted and signed by the Mayor this 13th day of December, 2022.