TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: Jonathan R. Lewis, ICMA-CM, City Manager
TITLE: Ordinance No. 2017-04, first reading, amending the Code of the City of North Port, adding to Chapter 38, Natural Resources, new Article III, Efficient Use of Reclaimed Water, Sections 38-27 to 38-30.
Recommended Action
City Commission approve and continue to Second Reading, Ordinance No. 2017-04, adding new Article III, Efficient Use of Reclaimed Water, to Chapter 38 of the Code of the City of North Port.
Background Information
On November 5, 2015, City Commission entered into a cooperative funding agreement with the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) for the construction of the Reclaimed Water Transmission Main Phase 3 Project. The project, which consisted of installing 7,400 feet of reclaimed water lines was intended to expand the City’s reclaimed water system and connect various new customers to the system. To submit reimbursements related to this project, the City must comply with certain requirements, many of which are already included as part of the existing code, in the Unified Land Development Code or included as part of the City’s Utilities Standards and Specifications. However, the City did not have an ordinance for the efficient use of reclaimed water, as required in Section 24.2 of the agreement. Staff is recommending approval of Ordinance No. 2017-04 which, upon final approval will allow the City to submit reimbursement requests for up to 50% of the cost of construction of this reclaimed water main.
As an alternative, staff also developed a stricter ordinance, Ordinance No. 2017-XX, including penalties which can be brought for first reading if Commission wishes to pursue an ordinance with heavier enforcement language. However, Ordinance No. 2017-XX has not had legal review at this time and would need to be considered on a future Commission agenda.
Ordinance 2017-04 has been reviewed by Legal as to form and correctness and has been recommended by the Public Utility Advisory Board.
Strategic Plan
Preservation of Environment and Natural Resources
Financial Impact
As SWFWMD will not disburse grant funds for the project until an ordinance is adopted, there is the potential to jeopardize up to $660,000 in funding for the project. In addition, over time, specific reclaimed water customers may eventually realize cost savings through a more efficient use of their reclaimed water, which will allow the City more available capacity to sell to other users.
Procurement
Not applicable.
Attachments:
1. Ordinance No. 2017-04 Efficient Use of Reclaimed Water
2. Cooperative Funding Agreement (2) Between the Southwest Florida Water Management District and City of North Port for Reclaimed Water Transmission Main Phase 3 (N667)
3. Alternative Ordinance No. 2017-XX Efficient Use of Reclaimed Water
4. Efficient Use of Reclaimed Water Presentation
Prepared by: Jennifer Desrosiers
Department Director: Richard Newkirk