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June 12, 2000
STAFF REPORT
CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH
CITY STAFF REPORT
AGENDA ITEMt Septic Tank Conversion Assistance Policy
DATE: June 8, 00
SUBMITTED BY: Jim Hanson, Ci ~I.ati
BACKGROUND: Several meetings ago t City Commission asked staff to
prepare changes to the City's Ordinance concerning septic
tanks and policies that would"outline City programs to
provide assistance to homeowners at their request for the
provision of administrative services and financing. A revised
ordinance was adopted by the City Commission at the last
regular meeting and draft policies for financing and
administrative assistance have been presented at two recent
Conunission Meetings. These policies are now ready for
adoption by the Commission.
BUDGET: The Budget impact of these programs is not known at this
time. The City will use reserve funds to make loans to home
owners at their request to cover their costs of the Septic
Tank Conversion and those costs may be significant.
However, the total cost will not be known until the home
owners have had a chance to sign up for the program.
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Commission. approve the proposed policies for
Septic Tank Conversion assistance.
ATTACHMENTS: 1. Resolution Adopting Policy
2. Proposed Policy
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I~-SOI,TITXON NO.00-09
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A RESO~.U3`ION OF THE CITY OF AZ~.ANTIC BEA.CJ3, ~I.ORIDA~.,
ADOPTING TBE SEFiTC TANT~ CON'vERSION ASSbSTANCE POI:ZCY,
Al`iD PROVIDING AN EFk~:t:T.1,YE DATE.
~VHER'~`•AS, the City Commisszon on May 22, 2000, passed and adopted O.rdinamoe No.
80-00-6I, which ordinance requires, among othez' things, connections from private septic systems
to public sewer systems, and.
'WEB, Sec. 1(e) of said ordinance authoxizes the City to offer financial assistance
and incentives to property owners by resolution, and
WHEREAS, city staff ltas deveSoped a set of policies for the City to use as a guideline for
assisting property ovhaexs who must comply with the provisions of said ozdinaz~ce.
NO~V T~~F,x~ORE, be it resolved by the City Convnission of the City of Atlantic Beach
as follows;
SECTION I. The attached Septic Tank Conversion Assistance Policy is hereby adopted.
SECTION 2t This Resolution shall take effect iznznediately upon its final passage and
adoptcon.
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PASSEU by the City Comm~issiozt this day of , 200(?.
ATI~ST:
Maureen King, City Clerk
Approved as to form and correctness:
ALAN C. JENSII~7, ESQUIRE
City Attorney
John S. Me~erve
Mayor, Presiding OtI"ioe~
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June 12, 2000
City of Atlantic Beach, Florida
Septic Tank Conversion Assistance Policy
Mandatory Conversion from Private Septic Systems to the Public Sewer System
The following information is provided as an outline of the City's policies to accommodate those
property owners that are required to convert from a private septic system to the City's public
sewer system. These policies maybe amended or modified by the City Manager as needed.
Property Owners affected will be informed by certified letter, from the City Manager, of the
requirement to connect to the public sewer system. If assistance is requested, Property Owners
will be advised to contact the Public Works Department, during regular working hours (7:30am
to 4:30pm, Monday thru Friday).
This conversion can be accomplished with varying degrees of City provided assistance. The City
offers the following assistance to those Property Owners affected by the requirements to connect
to the City's public system.
No Assistance: For those Property Owners wishing to make the conversion, but do
not desire the City's assistance with either the contracting of the
work or financing, they may follow the normal process of
contracting a plumber and securing the appropriate permits
themselves.
Contracting Assistance: For those Property Owners who for any reason would like the City
to assist with the contracting of plumbers and permit process for
them, the City will offer this assistance from its Public Works
Department. (SEE CONTRACTING )
Financing Assistance: For those Property Owners who for any reason would like financial
assistance with the conversion, the City is prepared to enter into
voluntary assessment agreements to finance the cost of the
conversion. (SEE FINANCING)
Both: For those Property Owners who for any reason would like
assistance with both the contracting and financing of the
conversion, the City offers a complete turnkey package to
accomplish both.
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June 12, 2000
-Conversion from Private Septic System to Public Sewer System
Contracting Assistance Policy
The following policies will be adopted in conjunction with the City Corrimission's adoption of
Ordinance 80-00-61.
1. All Property Owners required to convert from a private septic system to the City's public
sewer system will be notified by certified letter of the program and of its availability upon
the passage of the authorizing ordinance. _
2. The City will provide assistance in the selection of qualified contractors to work with the
City Public Works Department in expediting the conversion process. The contractors
will be hired by the Property Owner, not the City. The City will assist in resolving any
disputes that may arise due to the City's involvement in the process.
3. Qualified Property Owners must submit an application to receive contracting assistance.
The process is intended to assure that Property Owners are fully educated on the process
and agree to the terms and conditions. The City will also provide a rough estimate of the
total cost of the conversion to the Property Owner to assure an understanding of the
' magnitude of the commitment.
4. Approved applications will be batched in economically feasible groups and bundled as
Official City of Atlantic Beach Bid Specifications, after which the City will then proceed
to advertise and collect bids from certified plumbers. All bids will include permit fees as
well as an additional 5% administration fee which will be passed on to the Property
Owner.
5. .The Property Owner will be given notice of the bid price obtained for abandoning their
septic system and to connect to the public sewer system. At this time the Properly Owner
will have the option to proceed or to withdraw their application.
6. No contracting work may proceed without approved permits and no work is to be
performed without the payment of all fees.
7. The City will offer financing. (SEE FINANCING POLICY)
8. The Public Works Inspector will answer any questions for homeowners during
construction, provide key inspections, and arrange inspection by the Building
Department.
9. The Building Department will be responsible for the final inspection.
10. For Property Owners who are not on City water, a City water meter is to be installed on
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' June 12, 2000
the private well and the Property Owner must agree to grant access for reading this meter
as a basis for billing sewer services.
11. The Property Owner will pay $85 for the water meter installation. The meter will remain
City property.
12. The Building Department will be responsible for retaining all documents related to the
conversion in the permanent building files as a matter of public record.
13. The final inspection report will be copied to the Finance Department for entry into the
Utility Billing system.
14. The Property Owner or Tenant will be charged for sewer service beginning in the
following month.
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June 12, 2000
Conversion from Private Septic System to Public Sewer System
Financing Policy
The following policies will be adopted in conjunction with the City Commission's adoption of
Ordinance 80-00-61.
1. All Property Owner's required to convert from a private septic system to the City's
public sewer system will be notified by certified letter of the program and of its
availability upon the passage of the authorizing ordinance.
2. Qualified Property Owner will possess the following qualifications:
A. The Property Owner must currently be on a private septic system with
public sewer available.
B. The Property Owner must either: 1) be an existing City water customer,
or, 2) allow a City meter to be installed on the Property Owner's private
well as a basis for billing sewer volume.
C. The applicant must be the Property Owner.
D. The Property Owner and the tenant must be current on all outstanding
amounts owed the City.
3. The financial assistance offered by the City will be in the form of a Voluntary
Assessment.
4. The City will enter into a Voluntary Assessment Agreement with the Property Owner on
the basis of an application process. This process is intended to assure that the Property
Owner is fully educated on the process and that they agree to the terms and conditions of
the assessment.
5. All expenses related to the conversion from a private septic tank to the public sewer
system are eligible to be included in the assessment for one year.
6. The Voluntary Assessment offer will be reduced to a maximum limit of $3,000 after one
year and expire after five years from the passage of the authorizing ordinance. Thereafter,
there will be no financing assistance.
7. The City will agree to the Voluntary Assessments with the following terms and
conditions:
A. The Property Owner has the option of choosing any length term in 6
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June 12, 2000
'month increments up to 10 years.
B. Payments will be due with the property location City's water and sewer
bill, whether or not the Property Owner is the occupant. The water and
sewer, bill will reflect the monthly installment amount as a current charge
due.
C. The terms and conditions for payment are the same as the City's water
and sewer bill.
D. Utility Services may be terminated for non-payment.
E. The City will place a lien on the property for the duration of the
outstanding balance.
F. The total Voluntary Assessment will include 7% simple interest.
G. There will be no penalty for early payments. Unscheduled payments will
be accepted, however adjustments to the agreement will need to be
executed.
H. The Property Owner will be required to pay 5% of the total balance as a
down payment.
I. The City Manager, or his designee will be authorized to
sign the agreements up to $10,000. Agreements above
$10,000 will require City Commission approval.
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