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Council adopts video-inspection requirement for storm drains, lowers fee minimum
Summary
Centerville adopted ordinance 2026-14 to require video inspection of public and private stormwater and subsurface drainage systems and approved resolution 2026-07 updating fees (a $1.50 per lineal-foot initial inspection rate and a reduced $200 minimum). Council approved both measures unanimously at the May 19 meeting.
Centerville’s City Council on May 19 voted to adopt a municipal code amendment requiring video inspection of stormwater and subsurface drainage facilities and approved a related fee schedule that sets the initial inspection charge at $1.50 per lineal foot with a $200 minimum. The measures, presented by city staff, are intended to standardize inspections for both public and private drainage systems and to clarify phased and warranty inspection procedures.
City staff member Lisa, the staff representative for the project, told the council the ordinance transfers technical inspection provisions into Title 9 so that requirements apply consistently to both public and private systems and to site plans that fall outside subdivision rules. "Any storm drain system or any subsurface drain system… should be inspected at the time that they're installed," Lisa said, explaining the change will make expectations and checklists clearer for developers and contractors. The council opened a public hearing on the ordinance and, with no members of the public speaking on the item, moved directly to a vote. Councilmember Damon moved to adopt ordinance 2026-14; the motion was seconded and carried by unanimous aye votes recorded in the meeting.
On the fees, Lisa explained that the previous fee approach—two fees up front (inspection and a reinspection fee) with a $700 minimum—was confusing and sometimes required refunds. Under the adopted resolution 2026-07, the city will charge an initial inspection fee of $1.50 per lineal foot (this combines contractor camera costs and city review time) charged once; reinspections will be billed only if work fails inspection. The minimum fee was reduced to $200 after staff confirmed contractors’ mobilization and minimum charges. Staff said the city currently contracts with a vendor (TwinD) and intends to monitor contract rates and revisit fees if vendor costs rise.
Votes at a glance: the council moved and seconded adoption of ordinance 2026-14 and approved it by unanimous vote. Council later moved and seconded approval of resolution 2026-07 (fee schedule updates) and the motion passed unanimously, recorded in the transcript as 4–0.
Next steps: staff will implement the code changes, publish the revised fee schedule, and notify developers and contractors of the inspection and warranty-inspection requirements. The council discussion noted that phased inspections and warranty inspections are now explicitly required to ensure long-term performance of systems being dedicated to the city.
