HomeMy WebLinkAboutA036 - First reading of ordinance revising Municipal Code Chapter 28 for Water Meter setting requirementsITEM #:37
DATE:02-24-26
DEPT:W&PC
SUBJECT:ORDINANCE MODIFYING WATER METER SETTING REQUIREMENTS
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
BACKGROUND:
On February 10, Council directed staff to prepare an ordinance that would amend Chapter 28
of Municipal Code to clarify and standardize water meter installation requirements in support of
the City's transition to the new Automated Metering Infrastructure (AMI) system.
The new telemetry system requires the installation of a signal wire to allow a radio to be
mounted on the outside of a home or business in new neighborhoods, due to their distance
from the data collection units. The data collection units are located within the service territory
of the Ames Electric Utility, and water meters outside that area require the radios to be
mounted on the outside of the structure.
Having the wire installed as a part of the original construction of the property allows for a neat,
clean installation. The signal wires will not be required for existing meter installations, and
customers with an existing water meter will not be impacted by this ordinance change.
The attached ordinance prepared by the Legal Department fulfills that direction. Staff is
requesting that Council approve the ordinance on first reading.
PUBLIC OUTREACH
Prior to seeking Council direction earlier this month, staff sent letters and emails to all
plumbers and home builders who had applied for a plumbing permit in the past twelve months,
informing them of the proposed changes. That same letter invited them to attend an
informational open house on February 2, where they had an opportunity to ask questions or
raise concerns about the proposed revisions. There were no attendees at that open house.
On February 18, staff sent a second round of letters and emails, informing the recipients that
Council had started the process to adopt the Code change. Staff has received no inquiries or
concerns regarding the proposed change.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Approve on first reading an ordinance revising Chapter 28 Division II to conform to the
installation requirements of the new Automated Metering Infrastructure.
2. Do not approve on first reading and provide further direction to staff.
CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
The new Aclara metering system being adopted by both Electric and Water requires a signal
wire to be run between the water meter and the radio that will transmit the meter reading
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signal. The proposed changes would reinstate a requirement for a signal wire to be installed
at the time of initial construction. Including the language in the Municipal Code will clarify the
requirements and standardize water meter installations. Therefore, it is the recommendation of
the City Manager that the City Council approve Alternative No. 1 as described above.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Ordinance Section 28.209(2) New Water Meters.PDF
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ORDINANCE NO. ___________
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE MUNICIPAL
CODE OF THE CITY OF AMES, IOWA, BY
AMENDING SECTION 28.209(1) THEREOF, FOR
THE PURPOSE OF AMENDING STANDARD
WIRING AND INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS
FOR TRANSISTION TO NEW WATER METER
DEVICES 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 Section 28.209(1) as follows:
“Sec. 28.209. RADIO READ DEVICE
(1) New meter installations. All new water meter installations shall have a
radio read device. Any residential dwelling units located within the City of
Ames municipal electric service territory may have the radio read device
located inside the dwelling. All commercial buildings, located within the
City of Ames municipal electric service territory, and any residential or
commercial buildings located outside of the City of Ames municipal
electric utility territory, shall install, For each meter, a 22/3 gauge,
stranded, shielded wire with plastic sheath shall be installed from the
water meter on the inside of the building to within three feet of the electric
meter on the outside of the building. Meters located in meter pits or vaults
shall have the radio read device located inside the pit or vault or located in
a pedestal near the meter pit or vault. If the electric meter is located on a
transformer, or other remote location, the wiring for the radio read device
shall terminate on the side of the building nearest the transformer or
remote location. A minimum of three feet of excess wire shall be left at
each end to allow connection to the water meter and installation of the
radio read device. Any portion of the wire that will not be exposed (i.e.,
installed behind finished walls, above finished ceilings, etc.) shall be
placed in conduit to protect the wire from damage and to facilitate
replacement if necessary. The City will provide and install the radio read
device and connect it to the customer-installed wire.
* * * .”
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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.
Passed this day of , 2026.
__________________________________________________________
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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