City corrects stormwater billing and flags fire-suppression failures at former Teledyne site

City wastewater and code staff told the Board of Public Works and Safety on Nov. 18 that the long-vacant former Teledyne property had been incorrectly billed as undeveloped/agricultural for stormwater fees. Jerry Jackson presented a recalculation based on impervious surfaces (roof and pavement) and recommended charging a stormwater fee of $1,028.17 going forward; the board approved the correction.

Separately, Streets and Code staff and Chief Snyder reported the property’s wet fire-suppression system is not operational, not maintained and lacks required heat to prevent freezing in winter. Parts of the building envelope are missing, and staff previously shut off portions of the system after freeze-related leaks. Officials said the system must be maintained in the capacity in which it was installed but noted restoration may be complicated by the building’s current condition.

Why it matters: Charging the correct stormwater fee aligns utility billing with impervious-surface calculations and may affect the property owner’s financial obligations. The inoperable fire-suppression system raises code and public-safety compliance issues for future reuse or redevelopment and may require repairs or condemnation steps.

Quotes: Jackson described the fee change as “a major change” and said the recalculated stormwater fee is $1,028.17. Streets staff and Chief Snyder described repeated freeze and maintenance problems with the building’s wet-system fire suppression: “It was installed and that is a fire code that it has to be maintained and operational in the capacity that it was installed and it is not operational.”

Next steps: Code and fire officials will continue addressing maintenance and compliance requirements for the property; the board approved the stormwater fee adjustment.