Council reviews draft code edits to clarify sewer service charges for multifamily units

Council reviewed proposed amendments to city code chapters 95 and 99 intended to clarify how sanitary sewer system connection and service charges are assessed for multiunit buildings. Staff said the proposed redline language is intended to make explicit that charges are assessed per dwelling unit after a property owner with an eight-plex raised the question of whether eight units should be billed individually; staff said similar code language is standard in other municipalities and the city attorney requested a review of the proposed text.

Council members generally supported clarifying the code but agreed to wait for the city attorney’s formal review and the finalized ordinance language before taking formal action. Staff indicated that, historically, practice has been to charge by dwelling unit and that the redline is meant to reflect that policy; the item will return to a future agenda once the attorney’s edits are received.