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HomeMy WebLinkAboutREDmattinglyhixss3RED FILE MEETING AGENDA DATE )//i°IT EM #3 .council memoRanOu m city ofsan Luis ouisp o Carrie Mattingly, Utilities Directo r David Hix, Wastewater Division Manager r«err,/ C'~G%vL(t SUBJECT : Red File, Study Session Item SS3 - Airport Area Wastewater Master Pla n Council Member Carter raised questions regarding costs, financing, and timing for the propose d infrastructure in the Airport Area Wastewater Master Plan . Following is a summary of thos e questions and staff responses . 1.Provide status quo costs for Calle Joaquin project vs recommended change costs for Call e Joaquin and Los Verdes projects . Project Calle Joaqui n Curren t (A) Calle Joaqui n Proposed (B ) _ Los Verde s Proposed Differenc e (C) A —(B+C ) Lift Station $ 2,135,000 $1,000,000 $1,647,60 0 Replace Siphon $ 1,400,000 $0 $0 TOTAL $ 3,535,000 $ 1,000,000 $ 1,647,600 $ 887,40 0 * Los Verdes Proposed Project cost includes force main piping $887,400 represents anticipated savings (avoided cost associated with necessary replacement o f San Luis Obispo Creek siphon) associated with the recommended master plan update . The removal of the siphon in San Luis Obispo Creek will eliminate the risk of spills associate d with creek siphons . The Regional Water Quality Control Board has the authority to impose fine s of up to $10 per gallon of wastewater spilled into the creek per day. At this time the sipho n carries approximately 125,000 gallons per day . 2.What percent of the Buckley Road lift station cost is assumed attributable to existin g development (Los Verdes area) and what percent is assumed attributable to future Airpor t Area development ? The Utilities Department is completing a study of its development impact fees associated wit h the Airport Area. These recommendations will come before Council sometime in the spring an d will contain the cost percentages assigned to each land use cate or . A roul- estimate is 2 5 percent is attributable to existing development . "R E C E I V D FEB2 .-2010 C :\Documents and Settings\schippen\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\OLK9B\AAWWMP Re( SLO CITY CLER K DATE : TO : VIA : FROM : February 2, 2010 ±COUNCIL Er-ODD DI Rret~FIN DI Rk11°55-rcrrtryy L ET-FIRE CHIE FMayor and City Council ATTORNEY CPW DI RCLERK/ORIG 2-POLICE CH F Katie Lichtig, City Manager I-1 DEPT HEADS EJ—REC DI R ELTJt13U(U6 TILIR ~ W~ ~IFi Red File Study Session Item SS3 — Airport Area Wastewater Master Plan Updat e February 2, 201 0 Page 2 3.What rate increases will be required to cover the new costs for existing users ? Multiple factors, of which this project will be a part, go into establishing sewer rates includin g the funding option chosen for the proposed project . When we get closer to building the projec t we will incorporate the project costs into our sewer fund analysis and have a better idea at tha t time how the project might impact rates . 4.What are the assumptions as to how long it will be until the Airport Area develops ? Development is not anticipated for at least five, possibly ten years . That said, development ca n heat up with little warning . Our goal is to have the needed infrastructure in place just before ne w development needs it . We will be partnering with other departments and working with individua l property owners in preparation for this project including financing options and timing of th e infrastructure improvements . 5.What is the risk of that the costs of the Buckley Road station to be borne by ne w development will delay or prevent Airport Area development or cause developers to use septi c systems as opposed to the City sewer ? Current City ordinances do not allow the construction of new septic systems within City limits . Existing systems brought in during annexation are allowed . City code requires that when th e existing septic system fails, connection to the City's public sewer system is required . Staff i s discussing alternatives to this code requirement in light of the remote nature of the newl y annexed areas from existing infrastructure . One idea is to require connection to the public sewe r system when it is within a certain distance (e .g . 200 or 300 feet) from the property line . O f course any proposed ordinance changes would be thoroughly vetted through a public process an d the Council . The cost of infrastructure is a significant consideration for any development activity . The role it plays in delaying or preventing development in the Airport Area is somewhat a function of th e developer's return on investment . In the current economic climate, infrastructure costs appear t o be of far greater concern to developers than in the past . City policy is clear that new developmen t should pay its fair share of infrastructure improvements . The proposed Airport Area Wastewate r Master Plan update identifies the most cost-effective alternative for providing services to thi s area .