HomeMy WebLinkAboutA041 - First reading of Ordinance regarding Establishment of Nonresident Sanitary Sewer Rate and certain Water & Pollution Control feesITEM #:45
DATE:09-23-25
DEPT:PW
SUBJECT:ESTABLISHMENT OF NONRESIDENT SANITARY SEWER RATE
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
BACKGROUND:
On July 8, 2025, the City Council received a staff memo regarding a request from Maple
Grove Mobile Home Park at 6100 W. Lincoln Way to connect to the City’s sanitary sewer
system. At its August 12, 2025, meeting, Council selected an option that would allow for
properties outside of the corporate limits to connect to the City’s sanitary sewer system
through individual agreements, without requiring annexation.
To support this option, a new "Nonresident Customer" sewer rate must be added to the
Municipal Code to ensure an equitable fee structure for properties located outside the
corporate limits. This new rate will mirror the City’s existing Nonresident Customer water
rate framework.
The proposed amendments to Chapter 28 of the Ames Municipal Code will:
Define “Nonresident Customer” within Section 28.302
Establish a separate minimum monthly charge and usage rate for Nonresident sewer
users under Section 28.304
Clarify that these customers are subject to the same service standards as resident
users, unless otherwise specified by agreement
The draft ordinance sets the monthly minimum charge for Nonresident Customers at
$15.79, and a usage rate of $4.04 per 100 cubic feet as shown on the attached
document. In comparison, the existing resident monthly minimum charge is $13.73, and the
existing resident usage rate is $3.51 per 100 cubic feet.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Approve first reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 28 of the Municipal Code to
establish a Nonresident Sanitary Sewer Rate.
2. Do not approve the proposed changes and continue requiring annexation for all sewer
connections.
3. Refer the item back to staff for further development or modification.
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CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Providing sanitary sewer service to properties with failing septic systems outside the
City limits helps reduce environmental risks, particularly in sensitive areas like the
College Creek watershed. Creating a dedicated Non-resident Customer rate will allow
these properties to connect under a clearly defined and equitable billing structure,
while preserving the City’s policy discretion through individual agreements. Therefore, it
is the recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council adopt Alternative 1, as
described above.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Ordinance (Sewer Rates Resident-Nonresident).pdf
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ORDINANCE NO. ___________
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE MUNICIPAL CODE
OF THE CITY OF AMES, IOWA, BY AMENDING
SECTIONS 28.302, 28.304(3) and APPENDIX Q
THEREOF, FOR THE PURPOSE OF ESTABLISHING
SEWER RATES FOR RESIDENT AND NON-RESIDENT
CUSTOMERS, REPEALING ANY AND ALL
ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN
CONFLICT TO THE EXTENT OF SUCH CONFLICT;
AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
BE IT ENACTED, by the City Council for the City of Ames, Iowa, that:
Section One. The Municipal Code of the City of Ames, Iowa shall be and the
same is hereby amended by amending Sections 28.302, 28.304(3) and Appendix Q as
follows:
“Sec. 28.302. DEFINITIONS.
* * *
(23) ‘User’ shall mean any customer who discharges, either directly or indirectly, into
the Ames sanitary sewer collection system. The term shall include both Resident
Customers and Nonresident Customers.
* * *
Sec. 28.304. SEWER RATES ESTABLISHED.
* * *
(3) For each monthly billing on or after July 1, 2025, each customer shall be
charged a minimum monthly charge. The minimum charge for each location shall be
thirteen dollars and seventy-three cents ($13.73). The minimum monthly charge may be
prorated, based on a 30-day billing period, for the customer’s initial and/or final bills,
provided that in no case shall the prorated minimum monthly charge be less than five
dollars and twenty-seven cents ($5.27). In addition, for all water metered beginning with
the first cubic foot each month, each user shall pay three dollars and fifty-one cents ($3.51)
per 100 cubic feet.
(3) The rates and charges for sewer service provided by the sewer utility of the City,
to be billed on or after July 1, 2025, for each monthly billing period are as follows:
(a) Resident Customers. The Resident Rate shall apply to all customer
accounts within the Ames corporate limits.
(i) a monthly minimum charge of thirteen dollars and seventy-three
cents ($13.73).
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(ii) a charge for sewer usage during the billing period of three dollars
and fifty-one cents ($3.51) per 100 cubic feet.
(b) Nonresident Customers. The Nonresident Rate shall apply to all
customers accounts outside the Ames corporate limits, except for those covered by a
separate wholesale contract or agreement for service.
(i) a monthly minimum charge of fifteen dollars and seventy-nine
cents ($15.79).
(ii) a charge for sewer usage during the billing period of four dollars
and four cents ($4.04) per 100 cubic feet.
(c) The minimum monthly charge may be prorated, based on a 30-day
billing period, for the customer’s initial and/or final bills, provided that in no case shall
the prorated minimum monthly charge be less than five dollars and twenty-seven cents
($5.27).
* * *
APPENDIX Q
WATER AND POLLUTION CONTROL FEES & CHARGES
* * *
WPC Division
Waste Hauler Fee - Ames locations*
Domestic/Residential Waste ............................................ $10.25/load + $4.95/100 gallons
Restaurant Grease Traps ................................................. $67.94/load + $3.98/100 gallons
Non-Domestic Waste .......................................... $10.25/load + unit rate to be determined
* Non-Ames location Nonresident surcharge .................................................................................... 15%
Unauthorized Sewer Use ........................................................................................... $263.00/occurrence
Unmetered Sewer Use .................................................................................... $3.34/day + $23.03/month
High-Strength Surcharge Rates*
Parameter Surcharge Rate
Oxygen Demand
CBODR5 $0.54/lb.
COD $0.20/lb.
Nitrogen
NHR3N $1.94/lb.
TKN $1.25/lb.
Solids
TSS $0.80/lb.
Fats, Oils, and Grease
Oil and Grease $1.08/lb.
* Nonresident surcharge .................................................................................................................... 25%
*Monthly High-Strength Surcharge Fees of less than $5/month will be waived
* * * ”
Section Two. All ordinances, or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are
hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict, if any.
Section Three. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its
passage and publication as required by law.
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Passed this day of , 2025.
________________________________ ____________________________________
John A. Haila, Mayor
First Reading:
Second Reading:
Third Reading:
Passed on:
I, Renee Hall, City Clerk of the City of Ames, Iowa, hereby certify that the above
and foregoing is a true copy of Ordinance No. ______________, passed by the City Council of said
City at the meeting held on ______________________and signed by the Mayor on
___________________________, and published in the Ames Tribune on
___________________________.
____________________________________
Renee Hall, City Clerk
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