Council schedules Dec. 4 public hearing on inflow-and-infiltration ordinance

The Gaylord City Council reviewed a draft inflow-and-infiltration ordinance aimed at reducing stormwater and unauthorized pump connections entering the sanitary sewer system and scheduled a public hearing for 7 p.m. on Dec. 4, 2024.

Public Works Director Ty explained the draft ordinance’s key provisions, including expanded prohibitions, an inspection regime to identify illicit connections, and options for property owners to have a licensed plumber certify compliance. "Once that information is gathered then we would be looking for the inspection… the inspection would likely be City staff who would be doing the inspection but we also have language… that a licensed plumber could do the inspection and then certify it to the city," Ty said.

Council members discussed reasonable timeframes for property owners to submit inspection certifications and complete corrections. Staff and councilors debated setting a fixed correction period (proposals ranged from 90 to 120 days) but agreed a second inspection would follow any notice of noncompliance and that the public works director should retain discretion to extend deadlines for winter conditions or hardship.

The draft also contemplates enforcement tools, including administrative search warrants to access properties if necessary, a fee charged monthly for properties out of compliance, and a potential waiver process in hardship cases. Staff recommended removing a fixed multi-year validity period for compliance certifications and instead relying on case-by-case follow-up.

After discussion, a motion to schedule a public hearing for Dec. 4, 2024, at 7 p.m. for consideration of amendments to city code section 54-171 passed by voice vote. Staff said the council would consider public comments at that hearing before any adoption vote.