AgdaPkt 2012-09-10 - Laserfiche WebLink

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6.1.F. - Page 3 compliance. None of these suppliers have provided financial incentives or benefits to aid water users in purchasing or installing backflow prevention devices. Waiving the City's administration fees, as recommended by the Utilities Committee, represents a cost to the City, but achieves the policy goal of encouraging customers' compliance with the Cross Connection Control Program during this implementation period. The Utilities Committee also recommends that the City Council amend the City's existing Cross Connection Control Program Ordinance to clarify the City's enforcement role. The penalties for violating the existing ordinance are criminal (misdemeanor and monetary fine), which does not specifically allow the City to pursue an individual property owner for City costs incurred when a cross connection occurs. Accordingly, the Municipal Code is recommended to be amended to include a more complete range of penalties and cost recovery provisions to allow the City to hold individual customers accountable for City costs incurred in the event of an accident. The Cross Connection Control Ordinance should also require proof of compliance with cross connection provisions when there is a change in property ownership. ALTERNATIVES The Utilities Committee is not recommending any alternatives other than waiving fees, because this is the most feasible alternative for encouraging voluntary program compliance. However, Council may elect to continue implementing current policies and practices without change (i.e. no assistance programs), or, provide customer assistance programs beyond those recommended by staff and the subcommittee herein. Additional customer assistance options and their associated costs are outlined below: DESCRIPTION COST FREQUENCY FUND City pay 100%cost of backflow device $500,000 (assuming 500 One-time General installation for all property owners wells at$1,000) City pay 100%cost of backflow device $500,000 (pay-back period One-time General installation and amortize cost on utility bill TBD) City pays 100%cost of backflow device The metric for "low income" One-time General installation for low income families only would need to be defined. City pay cost of annual testing of backflow $31,000($62 per device x Annual Water devices for all property owners 500 devices) City pay cost of program administration fee $30,000($60 per device x Annual Water for all property owners 500 devices) City issues RFP and selects contractor on Staff time (amount TBD) One-time Water behalf of homeowners City purchases backflow devices and gives $200,000 (assume 500 One-time General to homeowners to install devices at$400 for each device)