Council codifies stormwater billing practice for new multifamily developments

The City Council on July 20 amended two sections of city code to codify when stormwater utility charges commence for non‑single‑family properties.

City Engineer Gus Ahoyas and civil engineer Alex Stein told the council the city has for roughly 20 years included a practice in site plans that stormwater charges begin 90 days after site‑plan approval because ground disturbance increases runoff before certificates of occupancy are issued. Stein said the existing code did not explicitly say that, which created confusion for some developers who began seeing bills earlier than they expected.

"So I went to our code, and our code actually doesn't say that," Stein said. "We wanted to put this into the code and codify it so it's clear to our citizens and developers."

Council members asked how the change would affect rates and whether it was consistent with peer cities; staff said it would not change rates but would clarify timing, help utility billing track start dates, and align department practice.

The council waived readings and adopted the ordinance 7–0.