AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Hold a discussion on changes to Section 86.003. - Extensions and connections to city water or wastewater system outside the city limits, and provide direction to Staff.
Body
Meeting date: February 2, 2021
Department: Eng/CIP
Amount & Source of Funding
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Fiscal Note:
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Sustainability
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Vision San Marcos - A River Runs Through Us
Background Information:
Chapter 86 of the San Marcos Code of Ordinances establishes the process of approval for out of City utility requests. Section 86.003. - Extensions and connections to city water or wastewater system outside the city limits establishes two processes for approval.
For service connections the City Manager has the authority to approve applications outside the city limits. A service connection is defined as the point where the City loses jurisdiction and sanitary control over the service; i.e. where piping becomes private. Examples are a tap to a city main with a water meter or sanitary sewer cleanout set at the property line. No construction of a City main is required.
City Council must approve applications for extension of city water or wastewater lines to serve property outside the city limits. Extension of City lines occur when utility service is not available at the property or code requires the extension of a public main. Examples are extension of City mains because connection points are remote from the development or the extension of a public main is required across the frontage of a parcel for the future extension or connections to new subdivisions or developments.
In the past the City purchased rural water systems which extended the City’s service area outside the city limits. The differentiation between connection and extension approvals may have been originally established in response to these acquisitions.
Section 86.003 of the code is attached for reference. Applications for either connection or extension include a request for annexation.
Council Committee, Board/Commission Action:
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Recommendation:
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