1. Sewer Code Update (Title 13)
Pierce County
Sewer & Water
Utilities
Presentation to the Council Economic and Infrastructure Development Committee
May 14, 2013
This presentation is a follow-up to the April 9, 2013 EIDC Study Session

2. Sewer Code Update Summary and Intent
- Repeals and replaces every chapter (except 13.16, now addressed in 13.04)
- Implements changes to connection charges and fees
Clarifies and improves permit and plan review procedures
Meets current federal and state requirements for pretreatment
Removes obsolete codes and consolidates similar codes
This slide lists the major goals of this ordinance proposal

3. Sewer Code Update Stakeholder Outreach
Early Consultation with DOE and TPCHD
Early Consultation with Business Groups (MBA, AGC, TPCAR)
E-Updates to Service Area Jurisdictions (All Mayors and PW Directors)
E-Updates to Other Sewer Utility Providers (Puyallup, Sumner, JBLM)
Support Letters received from City of Lakewood
Comment Letters received from MBA
All revisions from stakeholder comments highlighted in Summary Matrix
This slides lists our outreach efforts with key external stakeholders

4. Sewer Code Update Public Outreach Project Web Page
Billing Insert mailed to All Customer Accounts
Press Releases submitted to The News Tribune and local newspapers
Planning Commission Hearing and Noticing
30-Day Public Comment Period for Pretreatment Regulations
Council Hearings and Noticing
This slides lists our outreach efforts with our costumers and the general public

5. Sewer Code Update
Chapter Sewer Utility Administrative Regulations
Chapter Industrial Pretreatment Regulations
Chapter Delinquent Sewer Assessments
Chapter Latecomers Agreements for Public Sewer Facilities
Chapter Service Charges
Chapter Real Property Segregation – Connection and Service Charges
Chapter Connection Charges (REPEALED – now in Ch )
Chapter Sewer Assessment Protests
This ordinance would repeal and replace all of the chapters (except Chapter 13.16) within Title 13

6. Chapter 13.04 - Sewer Utility Administrative Regulations
Sewer Code Update
Chapter Sewer Utility Administrative Regulations
Affects Applicants and Developers (input from Master Builders Association)
Clarifies the Director’s authority to interpret regulations for “public interest”
Identifies Connection Requirements for new and existing developments
Describes development review and permit processes
Simplifies pretreatment reviews for small businesses
Insignificant, Minor, and Significant user categories refer to the type of user (e.g.,
retail, restaurant, industrial) not the type of project (e.g., new business, remodel)
This slides lists the topics covered in Chapter which generally applies to all applicants and developers

7. Chapter 13.04 – Key Policy Changes (Connection Charges)
Sewer Code Update
Chapter – Key Policy Changes (Connection Charges)
Calculates connection charges based on usage instead of acreage
Standardizes calculation methods for ULID and Non-ULID areas
Simplifies connection charge rates into fewer categories
consolidates charges into three categories: Area; Plant Capacity; and Latecomers
This slides lists the key policy changes in Chapter related to connection charges

8. Chapter 13.04 – Key Policies Changes (Fees)
Sewer Code Update
Chapter – Key Policies Changes (Fees)
All permit fees now codified in fee tables
Converts most fees to a “flat fee structure” instead of time and materials
establishes predictable upfront costs for applicants
reduces administrative costs to applicants and the County
facilitates development of “over the counter” and online permits
Delays payment of inspection fees until permit issuance
This slides lists the key policy changes in Chapter related to permit and development review fees

9. Chapter 13.06 – Industrial Pretreatment Regulations
Sewer Code Update
Chapter – Industrial Pretreatment Regulations
Identifies requirements to comply with federal and state water quality laws
Revisions based on State Model Pretreatment Ordinance
Clarifies reporting and notification requirements
No written comments received during 30-day public comment period
No major policy changes
This slides lists the topics covered in Chapter which generally applies to industrial and commercial businesses

10. Chapter 13.08 – Delinquent Sewer Assessments
Sewer Code Update
Chapter – Delinquent Sewer Assessments
Identifies procedures on how delinquent ULID assessments are handled
ULID related codes based on State laws (RCW Chapters and 35.50)
Input received from Assessor-Treasurer and Budget & Finance Departments
No major policy changes
This slides lists the topics covered in Chapter which generally follow State law

11. Chapter 13.10 – Latecomers Agreements
Sewer Code Update
Chapter – Latecomers Agreements
Identifies procedures on how latecomers agreements are handled
Development related codes based on state law (RCW Chapter 35.91)
Input received from Master Builders Association
No major policy changes
This slides lists the topics covered in Chapter which also generally follow State law

12. Chapter 13.13 – Service Charges
Sewer Code Update
Chapter – Service Charges
- Affects All Sewer Customers
- Identifies monthly Sewer Service Rates and Charges
- Describes Sewer Billing procedures
- Describes Collections and Lien processes
This slides lists the topics covered in Chapter which generally applies to all customers

13. Chapter 13.13 – Key Policy Changes
Sewer Code Update
Chapter – Key Policy Changes
Approval of Annual Adjustments
would now present CPI and other increases to Council annually
applies to service charges, connection charges, and fees
Allows “pass through revenues” (e.g. State taxes) without Council action
Clarifies that property owners are responsible for delinquent charges
Clarifies that the waiver of service charges is contingent on disconnection
This slides lists the key policy changes made to Chapter 13.13

14. Chapter 13.14 – Real Property Segregation
Sewer Code Update
Chapter – Real Property Segregation
Requires full payment of any liens before any parcel segregation
No major policy changes
Very minor changes have been made to this very short chapter which has only two code sections

15. Chapter 13.16 – Connection Charges
Sewer Code Update
Chapter – Connection Charges
Entire ULID related chapter is now repealed
Connection charges for ULID areas are now addressed in Chapter 13.04
Eliminates outdated calculation methods for ULID areas
It is proposed that Chapter be permanently repealed since its provisions are now addressed in Chapter 13.04

16. Chapter 13.20 – Sewer Assessment Protests
Sewer Code Update
Chapter – Sewer Assessment Protests
Identifies procedures on how assessment protests are handled
ULID related codes based on State laws (RCW Chapters 36.94)
Removes codes that Hearing Examiner decisions are appealable to Council
No major policy changes
This slides lists the topics covered in Chapter which also generally follow State law

17. Questions?
This concludes the presentation and staff can now answer any questions you may have