§ 18-61. Stormwater management fee.

(a)

The stormwater management fee shall be charged to all developed sites located within the corporate limits of the city, as they may exist from time to time.

(b)

City council shall establish a fee schedule under this article, which sets forth the amounts and classifications of fees to be implemented to recover the costs of maintaining and operating the stormwater system. Fees may be changed by resolution of city council from time to time and are on file in the city clerk's office. City council shall consider, among other things, the following criteria in establishing fees:

(1)

The fee system shall be apportioned on a reasonable basis with due regard for the benefits conferred. City council recognizes that these benefits, while substantial, in many cases cannot be measured directly;

(2)

Design, construction, maintenance, and the overall operation of the stormwater management program shall be borne proportionately by all classifications of property owners in the city in that all will enjoy the direct and indirect benefits of an improved and well-maintained system;

(3)

In establishing the fee, the following costs may be considered:

a.

Stormwater management and sediment control planning and preparation of comprehensive watershed master plans for stormwater management;

b.

Regular inspections of public and private stormwater management facilities during construction and operation;

c.

Maintenance and improvement of stormwater management facilities that have been accepted by the city for that purpose;

d.

Plan review and inspection of sediment control and stormwater management and sediment control plans, measures, and practices;

e.

Retrofitting designated watersheds to reduce existing flooding problems or to improve water quality;

f.

Acquisition of interests in land, including easements;

g.

General administration, enforcement, billing and collection; and

h.

Water quantity and water quality management, including monitoring and surveillance.

(4)

Practical difficulties and limitations shall be considered in establishing, calculating, and administering such fees; and

(c)

The rate for one ERU is the standard for calculating the fee for each developed site.

(Ord. No. 2007-51, 8-14-07)