ITEM 3.6 Septic OrdinanceOtSTY
F O
MINNESOTA V
DEPARTMENT INFORMATION
Request for
City Council Action
ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT:
REQUESTOR:
MEETING DATE:
Building Safety
City Planner Licht
10 November 2014
PRESENTER(s):
REVIEWED BY:
ITEM #:
City Planner Licht
City Administrator Johnson
3.6 —Septic Ordinance
AGENDA ITEM DETAILS
RECOMMENDATION:
City staff recommends adoption of an ordinance amending the City Code regarding requirements for
subsurface sewage treatment (septic) systems.
ARE YOU SEEKING APPROVAL OF A CONTRACT?IS
A PUBLIC HEARING REQUIRED?
No.
No.
BACKGROUND/JUSTIFICATION:
The City has adopted regulations as part of the City Code regulating the design and installation of
subsurface sewage treatment systems (also known as septic systems). These provisions are required to
be consistent with, and may be more restrictive than the requirements of Minnesota Rules 7080, as well
as the Wright County ordinances regulating subsurface sewage treatment systems. The Building Official
oversees the administration of the design and installation of subsurface sewage treatment systems in
accordance with Minnesota Rules and the City Code.
The Building Official's office recently identified an issue whereby the provisions regulating subsurface
sewage treatment systems require an alarm and flashing light to warn occupants of septic failure.
However, the existing regulations do not require the alarm to be installed inside the principal building.
City staff is concerned that not installing the alarm inside the principal building may mean that the alarm
goes unnoticed due to distance, vegetation or buried in snow.
City staff has drafted an amendment to Section 4-3-3 of the City Code specifying that the alarm must be
installed inside the principal dwelling, so as to protect public health, safety and welfare. The proposed
amendment also includes revised language clarifying that two 1,000 gallon split tanks are required but
that the Building Official may allow one 1,500 gallon tank based on the design of the principal building
and design of the septic system.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS: ❑ ATTACHED ❑ NONE
A. Ordinance 2014-15
POSSIBLE MOTION
Please word motion as you would like it to appear in the minutes.
Motion to adopt Ordinance 2014-15 amending the City Code requirements for subsurface sewage
treatment systems.
P1 Ir1(tGT IA11=f1RMATI(1N
FUNDING: BUDGETED: ❑ YES
Li NO
NA
ACTION TAKEN
❑ APPROVED AS REQUESTED ❑ DENIED ❑ TABLED ❑ OTHER (List changes)
ORDINANCE NO.: 2014-15
CITY OF OTSEGO
COUNTY OF WRIGHT, MINNESOTA
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY CODE REQUIREMENTS FOR
SUBSURFACE SEWAGE TREATMENT SYSTEMS.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OTSEGO DOES HEREBY ORDAIN:
Section 1. Section 4-3-3.C.1 of the City Code (Site Evaluation and Design
Requirements) is hereby amended to read as follows:
1. A minimum one theusand five hundred (1,500) gallen split tank is of two
(2) one thousand (1,000) gallon tanks are required although split taR
Ga Git„ may be aGhieved with multiple taRk . A one thousand five
hundred (1.500) gallon split tank may be allowed subiect to approval of the
Building Official.
Section 2. Section 4-3-3.D of the City Code (Site Evaluation and Design
Requirements) is hereby amended to read as follows:
D. Pump Tank:
1. A minimum one thousand (1,000) gallon pump tank is needed for lifting
the effluent to the soil treatment area.
2. The pump must employ an audible alarm and warning light located inside
of the principal structure to alert occupants of a failure.
Section 3. This Ordinance shall become effective immediately upon its passage
and publication.
MOTION BY:
SECOND BY:
1
ALL IN FAVOR:
THOSE OPPOSED:
ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Otsego this 10th day of
November, 2014.
ATTEST:
Tami Loff, City Clerk
N
CITY OF OTSEGO
BY:
Jessica L. Stockamp, Mayor