For Utilities Commission Meeting [December 18, 2018]
TO: Honorable Chairperson and Commission
APPROVAL: Thomas J. Crowley, P.E., Utilities Manager
FROM: Susanne Wilcox, Administrative Analyst
Title
Recommend the City Council and Rialto Utility Authority Board Approve an Extraterritorial Wastewater Service Agreement with Social Science Services, Inc., for the Property Known as Cedar House and Located at 18612 Santa Ana Avenue, Bloomington, San Bernardino County, Assessor’s Parcel Number 0257-031-16-0000.
(ACTION)
Body
BACKGROUND:
Under Title 12, Chapter 12.08 of the City of Rialto Municipal Code governing Public Utilities, the City Council established charges for connections to the City utility systems outside the City limits. Extraterritorial sewer fees have been established at 1.3 times the rates for City wastewater customers in accordance with Resolution No. 6209 adopted January 8, 2013. Section 5 of Resolution 6209 revised Section IX.A of Resolution No. 4746, and states:
“Connections Outside the City. Upon the recommendation of the City Engineer, and with the approval of the City Council, sewer connections may be made outside the City limits of Rialto, however, the charges for the provision of such service shall be established at a rate equal to one point three (1.3) times the current sewage rate or charges.”
Therefore, in accordance with City Council policy established by Resolutions No. 4746 and 6209, City Council approval of an extraterritorial sewer service is required.
Social Science Services, Incorporated, the owner of the property located at 18612 Santa Ana Avenue, is on Santa Ana Avenue west of Cedar Avenue, in Bloomington, San Bernardino County (Assessor’s Parcel Number 0257-031-16-0000). The property is an existing medical facility and currently on a septic system. The building is a 32,573 square foot building on approximately 4 acres within the County of San Bernardino, and the property owner has requested that the City approve a sewer connection. The property is currently located in an unincorporated area of San Bernardino County, and west of the City Limits of the City of Rialto.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION:
The City owns and operates an eighteen inch (18”) sewer line extending within Santa Ana Avenue terminating west of the Cedar House property. If the Extraterritorial Agreement is approved, the property owner will connect to the line directly in front of their property. Staff believes there is sufficient capacity to serve the property.
Rialto sewage treatment fees (for treatment of the wastewater at the treatment plant) vary. There are four groups with group l being residential and groups II, III and IV separated by strength of flow. Strength of flow relates to the biological and/or chemical demands of the sewage. It affects how difficult the flow is to treat at the plant.
The property owner is requesting the fees to be calculated using 32,573 sq. ft. of medical facility as this reflects the actual use. The total estimated amount of developer impact fees to be collected for this project is $102,484.82 for wastewater treatment fees and $3,534.49 for wastewater collection fees, for a total of $106,019.31.
Staff has prepared an Extraterritorial Wastewater Service Agreement to facilitate approval of the service connection to the property located outside of City’s corporate boundaries. The agreement describes the duties and responsibilities of the City of Rialto and the property owner. The proposed Extraterritorial Agreement is included as Attachment 1.
If the Agreement is approved by Council, staff will submit the project to the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) as required by Government Code 56133.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Operating Budget Impact
The property owner will pay all costs associated with the service connection. The City will receive connection, permit and inspection fees along with the monthly wastewater service fees at the rate of 1.3 times the established rate for City wastewater customers. Revenues generated from the fees are budgeted during the normal budget process.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
Consistent with Resolution No. 6209, all fees for extraterritorial sewer service have been established at a rate equal to 1.3 times the standard rates, including the monthly wastewater fee. The following Table 1 estimates the one-time service establishment fees for the property, which will be collected once the agreement has been executed:
Table 1
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff requests the Utilities Commission recommend the City Council approve an Extraterritorial Wastewater Service Agreement with Social Science Services, Inc., for the Property Located at 18612 Santa Ana Avenue, Bloomington, which is located west of Cedar Avenue on Santa Ana Avenue in San Bernardino County, and identified by Assessor Parcel Numbers 0257-031-16-0000.