Chapter 10.01
WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEM – REGULATIONS – FEES1

Sections:

10.01.010    General provisions.

10.01.020    Abbreviations.

10.01.030    Definitions.

10.01.040    Regulations.

10.01.050    Public policy.

10.01.060    Sewer funds.

10.01.070    Sewer rates.

10.01.080    Sewer system development charges.

10.01.090    Collection.

10.01.095    Adjustments, back-billing, credits and refunds.

10.01.100    Public sewers required.

10.01.110    Main extensions.

10.01.120    Service lateral construction.

10.01.130    Service lateral maintenance.

10.01.132    Service lateral replacement.

10.01.133    Assistance in removal of unpolluted waters.

10.01.134    Basement flooding protection loans.

10.01.138    Appeal process.

10.01.140    Protection from damage.

10.01.150    Nuisance.

10.01.160    Notice to abate.

10.01.170    Abatement procedures.

10.01.180    Assessment of costs.

10.01.185    Hauled waste.

10.01.210    Penalties.

10.01.220    Severability.

10.01.010 General provisions.

Pursuant to the general laws of the State and the powers granted in the Charter of the City, the City Council does hereby declare its intention to acquire, own, construct, equip, operate and maintain within or without the City limits, a wastewater treatment plant or plants, sanitary sewers, equipment and appurtenances necessary, useful or convenient for a complete sewerage and treatment system. This chapter provides for the regulation of discharges into the City of Albany wastewater treatment system through the enforcement of administrative regulations.

(1) Purpose and Policy. This chapter sets forth uniform requirements for discharges into the wastewater treatment system and enables the City of Albany (City) to protect public health and the environment in conformity with all applicable State and Federal laws relating thereto.

The objectives of this chapter are:

(a) To protect the health of the City employees working in the City wastewater treatment system;

(b) To facilitate the orderly development and extension of the wastewater treatment system;

(c) To prevent the introduction of pollutants into the City wastewater treatment system which will interfere with the normal operation of the system or contaminate the resulting sludge;

(d) To prevent the introduction of pollutants into the City wastewater treatment system which do not receive adequate treatment in the POTW and which will pass through the system into receiving waters or the atmosphere or otherwise be incompatible with the system;

(e) To improve the opportunity to recycle and reclaim wastewater and sludge from the system; and

(f) To allow the use of fees and charges to recover the costs of operation, maintenance and administration of the wastewater treatment system.

(2) Policy of Assistance. In achieving the objectives of this chapter, it shall be the policy of the City to actively support the community’s commerce and industry through accommodation, assistance, and cooperation consistent with the City’s responsibility to protect the waters of the State from pollution and to secure the health, safety, and welfare of the residents of the service area.

(3) Compliance with Standards. Pollutants shall be accepted into the City wastewater treatment system subject to regulations and requirements as may be promulgated by State and Federal regulatory agencies or the City of Albany for the protection of wastewater facilities and treatment processes, public health and safety, receiving water quality, and avoidance of nuisance. As a minimum, users of the City wastewater treatment system shall comply with the applicable pretreatment standards. Pretreatment standards shall be developed to ensure that at a minimum the City and users comply with Sections 307(b) and 307(c) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended by the Clean Water Act of 1977 and the regulations promulgated pursuant to these sections of the Act.

(4) This chapter shall apply to the City of Albany and to persons outside the City of Albany who are, by contract or agreement with the City of Albany, users of the City of Albany POTW. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Director of Public Works of the City of Albany shall administer, implement, and enforce the provisions of this chapter. (Ord. 5636, 2006; Ord. 5016, 1992).

10.01.020 Abbreviations.

The following abbreviations shall have the designated meanings:

ASTM – American Society for Testing and Materials

BOD – Biochemical Oxygen Demand

CFR – Code of Federal Regulations

COD – Chemical Oxygen Demand

CWA – Clean Water Act

DEQ – Oregon Department of Environmental Quality

EPA – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

L – Liter

mg – Milligrams

mg/L – Milligrams per liter

NPDES – National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System

O & M – Operation and Maintenance

POTW – Publicly Owned Treatment Works

SIC – Standard Industrial Classification

SWDA – Solid Waste Disposal Act, 42 U.S.C. 6901, et seq.

TSS – Total Suspended Solids

USC – United States Code. (Ord. 5636, 2006; Ord. 5016, 1992).

10.01.030 Definitions.

For the purposes of this section, the following words, phrases, abbreviations, terms and their derivatives shall be construed as specified in this section. Words used in the singular include the plural and the plural the singular. Words used in the masculine gender include the feminine, and the feminine the masculine:

(1) Act or “the Act”. The Federal Water Pollution Control Act, also known as the Clean Water Act, as amended, 33 U.S.C. 1251, et seq.

(2) Applicant. A person who applies for sewer service or a sewer connection.

(3) Approval Authority. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

(4) Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD). The quantity of oxygen utilized in the biochemical oxidation of organic matter under standard laboratory procedure, five days at 20 degrees centigrade expressed in terms of weight and concentration (milligrams per liter (mg/L)).

(5) Building Sewer. A sewer conveying wastewater from the premises of a user to the POTW.

(6) City. The City of Albany, a municipal corporation of the State of Oregon.

(7) City Manager. The person designated by the Albany City Council to act as the administrative head of the City government and who is charged with certain duties and responsibilities by this chapter, or the duly authorized representative.

(8) Commercial Unit. Each portion of a commercial use that has plumbing fixtures connected to the sanitary sewer system and which is designated for occupancy based upon a property right. Property right for the purposes of this definition includes ownership, a leasehold interest, or any contractually based right to occupancy of 12 or more hours in any 24-hour period.

(9) Commercial User. Any person who contributes, causes or permits the contribution of wastewater into the City’s POTW which by nature of the services rendered is of a dissimilar volume or chemical makeup than that of a domestic user. Examples of commercial users may include, but are not limited to, restaurants, grocery stores, and car washes.

(10) Control Authority. The Director of Public Works for the City of Albany.

(11) Cooling Water. The water discharged from any use such as air conditioning, cooling or refrigeration, to which the only pollutant added is heat.

(12) Direct Discharge. The discharge of treated or untreated wastewater directly to the waters of the State of Oregon.

(13) Director/Director of Public Works. The person designated by the City Manager to supervise the Public Works Department and who is charged with certain duties and responsibilities by this chapter, or the duly authorized representative.

(14) Discharge. The discharge or introduction of pollutants into the municipal wastewater treatment system from any user.

(15) Discharger/Industrial Discharger. Any nondomestic user who discharges an effluent into the wastewater treatment system by means of pipes, conduits, pumping stations, force mains, constructed drainage ditches, surface water intercepting ditches, and all constructed devices and appliances appurtenant thereto.

(16) Domestic Sewage or Domestic Wastewater. The liquid and waterborne wastes derived from the ordinary living processes, free from industrial wastes, and of such character as to permit satisfactory disposal, without special treatment, into the public sewer or by means of a private sewage disposal system.

(17) Domestic User. Any person who contributes, causes, or permits the contribution of wastewater into the City’s POTW that is of a similar volume and/or chemical makeup as that of a residential dwelling unit. Discharges from a residential dwelling unit typically include up to 75 gallons per capita per day, 0.20 pounds of BOD per capita per day, and 0.17 pounds of TSS per capita per day. Generally, there are only trace quantities of other organic or inorganic solids or chemicals.

(18) Domestic Water Supply. Any water supply system which serves potable water and may include, for the purposes of this chapter, wells which supply potable water.

(19) Dwelling Unit. For the purpose of calculating fees and charges associated with this chapter, “dwelling unit” shall be defined as any place of human habitation designed for occupancy based upon separate leases, rental agreements, or other written instruments.

(20) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or where appropriate the term may also be used as a designation for the administrator or other duly authorized official of said agency.

(21) Garbage. The residue from the preparation and dispensing of food, and from the handling, storage and sale of food products and produce.

(22) Grab Sample. A sample which is taken from a waste stream on a one-time basis with no regard to the flow in the waste stream and without consideration of time.

(23) Industrial User. Any person including a waste hauler, that discharges wastewater that is not domestic wastewater.

(24) Industrial Waste. Solid, liquid, or gaseous waste resulting from any industrial, manufacturing, trade, or business process or from the development, recovery, or processing of natural resources.

(25) Interference. A discharge which, alone or in conjunction with a discharge or discharges from other sources:

(a) Inhibits or disrupts the POTW, its treatment processes or operations, or its sludge processes; use or disposal; and

(b) Is a cause of a violation of any requirements of the NPDES permit (including an increase in the magnitude or duration of a violation) or of the prevention of sewage sludge use or disposal in compliance with the following statutory provisions and regulations or permits issued thereunder (or more stringent State or local regulations): Section 405 of the Solid Waste Disposal Act (SWDA) (including Title II, more commonly referred to as the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), and including State regulations contained in any State sludge management plan prepared pursuant to Subtitle D of the SWDA), the Clean Air Act, the Toxic Substances Control Act, and the Marine Protection Research and Sanctuaries Act.

(26) National Pretreatment Standard. National pretreatment standard is defined in 40 CFR 403.3(j) as any regulation containing pollutant discharge limits promulgated by EPA under Section 307(b) and (c) of the Clean Water Act applicable to industrial users, including the general and specific prohibitions found in 40 CFR 403.5.

(27) Natural Outlet. Any outlet into a watercourse, pond, ditch, lake, or other body of surface or groundwater.

(28) Other Wastes. Decayed wood, sawdust, shavings, bark, lime, refuse, ashes, garbage, offal, oil, tar, chemicals, and all other substances except sewage and industrial wastes.

(29) Pass Through. The occurrence of an indirect discharge which exits the POTW into waters of the United States in quantities or concentrations which, alone or in conjunction with a discharge or discharges from other sources, is a cause of a violation of any requirement of the POTW’s NPDES permit (including an increase in the magnitude or duration of a violation).

(30) Person. Any individual, partnership, copartnership, firm, company, corporation, association, joint stock company, trust, estate, governmental entity, or any other legal entity, or their legal representatives, agents, or assigns. The masculine gender shall include the feminine; the singular shall include the plural where indicated by the context.

(31) pH. The logarithm (base 10) of the reciprocal of the concentration of hydrogen ions expressed in grams per liter of solution.

(32) Plumbing Fixture. Approved receptacle or devices intended to receive water, liquids or other permissible wastes, and which discharge the same into the soil pipe, waste pipe or special waste pipe with which they are connected and shall include all floor drains.

(33) Pollutant. Any dredged spoil, solid waste, incinerator residue, wastewater, garbage, wastewater sludge, munitions, chemical wastes, biological materials, radioactive materials, heat, wrecked or discharged equipment, rock, sand, cellar dirt and industrial, municipal, and agricultural waste discharged into water.

(34) Pretreatment. The reduction of the amount of pollutants, the elimination of pollutants, or the alteration of the nature of pollutant properties in wastewater to a less harmful state prior to, or in lieu of, discharging or otherwise introducing such pollutants into a POTW.

(35) Prohibited Discharges. Absolute prohibitions against the discharge of certain types or characteristics of wastewater as established by EPA, DEQ and/or the Director.

(36) Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW). Any wastewater treatment works and the sewers, conveyances, and appurtenances discharging thereto, owned and operated by the City.

(37) Septage. Either liquid or solid material removed from a septic tank, cesspool, portable toilet, Type III marine sanitation device, or similar treatment works that receives only domestic sewage. Septage does not include liquid or solid material removed from a septic tank, cesspool, or similar holding tank that receives industrial waste and does not include grease removed from a grease trap at a restaurant.

(38) Service Lateral. Any pipe between the main sewer lines of the City and the user’s plumbing facilities.

(39) Sewage. Water-carried human wastes or a combination of water-carried wastes from residences, business buildings, institutions, and industrial establishments, together with such ground, surface, storm, or other waters as may be present.

(40) Sewer. Any pipe, conduit, ditch, or other device used to collect and transport wastewater from the generating source.

(41) Sewerage. The system of sewers and appurtenances for the collection, transportation and pumping of wastewater.

(42) Sewer Connection Permit. A permit issued to connect buildings or structures to a public sewer.

(43) Sewer, Public. A sewer provided by or subject to the jurisdiction of the City. It also includes sewers within or outside the City boundaries that serve one or more persons and ultimately discharge into the City sanitary sewer system, even though those sewers may not have been constructed with City funds.

(44) Sewer, Sanitary. A sewer that conveys only wastewater and into which storm, surface, and groundwaters are not intentionally admitted.

(45) Sewer, Storm. A sewer that conveys storm, surface, and groundwaters and into which wastewaters are not intentionally admitted.

(46) Sewer System Facility Plan. The current version of the facility plan for the development of the wastewater treatment plant and sanitary sewer system as amended or updated.

(47) Sewer Use Charge. The assessment levied on all users of the public sewer system.

(48) Shall, May. “Shall” is mandatory; “may” is permissive.

(49) Storm Water. Any flow occurring during or following any form of natural precipitation and resulting therefrom.

(50) Total Suspended Solids. The total suspended matter that floats on the surface of, or is suspended in, water, wastewater, or other liquids and which is removable by laboratory filtering.

(51) Toxic Pollutant. One of the pollutants or combination of those pollutants listed as toxic in regulations promulgated by the Environmental Protection Agency under the provisions of Section 307 (33 U.S.C. 1317) of the Act.

(52) Treatment Plant. That portion of the municipal wastewater treatment system designed to provide treatment to wastewater.

(53) User. Any person who contributes, causes, or permits the contribution of wastewater into the City’s POTW.

(54) Utility. The City of Albany, a municipal corporation of the State of Oregon.

(55) Wastewater. The liquid and water-carried industrial or domestic wastes from dwellings, commercial buildings, industrial facilities, and institutions, whether treated or untreated, which is contributed into or permitted to enter the POTW.

(56) Wastewater Treatment System. Any wastewater treatment works and the sewers, conveyances, and appurtenances discharging thereto, owned and operated by the City. Same as publicly owned treatment works (POTW).

(57) Waters of the State. All streams, lakes, ponds, marshes, watercourses, waterways, wells, springs, reservoirs, aquifers, irrigation systems, drainage systems and all other bodies or accumulations of water, surface or underground, natural or artificial, public or private, which are contained within, flow through, or border upon the State, or any portion thereof. (Ord. 5636, 2006; Ord. 5016, 1992).

10.01.040 Regulations.

(1) Discharge Prohibitions. No user shall contribute or cause to be discharged, directly or indirectly, any pollutant or wastewater which will cause interference or pass through. These general prohibitions apply to all users of the publicly owned treatment works (POTW) whether or not the use is subject to categorical pretreatment standards or any other national, State, or local pretreatment standards or requirements. Furthermore, no user may contribute the following substances to the wastewater treatment system:

(a) Any liquids, solids, or gases which by reason of their nature or quantity are, or may be, sufficient either alone or by interaction with other substances to cause fire or explosion or be injurious in any other way to the POTW or to the operation of the POTW. Wastewater discharges are prohibited with a closed cup flashpoint of less than 140 degrees Fahrenheit or 60 degrees Celsius using the test methods specified in 40 CFR 261.21.

(b) Any solid or viscous substances which may cause obstruction to the flow in a sewer or other interferences with the operation of the wastewater treatment system facilities, such as, but not limited to: grease, garbage with particles greater than one-half inch in any dimension, animal guts or tissues, paunch manure, bones, hair, hides or fleshings, entrails, whole blood, feathers, ashes, cinders, sand, spent lime, stone or marble dusts, metal, glass, straw, shavings, grass clippings, rags, spent grains, spent hops, waste paper, wood, plastics, gas, tar asphalt residues, residues from refining or processing of fuel or lubricating oil, mud, or glass grinding or polishing wastes.

(c) Any wastewater having a pH less than six or greater than 10, or wastewater having any corrosive property capable of causing damage or hazard to structures, equipment, and/or personnel of the City.

(d) Any wastewater containing toxic pollutants in sufficient quantity, either singly or by interaction, to injure or interfere with any wastewater treatment system process, create a toxic effect on the receiving waters of the POTW, constitute a hazard to humans or animals, or to exceed the limitation set forth in categorical pretreatment standards.

(e) Pollutants which result in the presence of toxic gases, vapors, or fumes within the POTW in a quantity that may cause acute worker health or safety problems.

(f) Any substance which may cause the POTW’s effluent or treatment residues, sludges, or scums to be unsuitable for reclamation and reuse or to interfere with the reclamation process. (In no case shall a substance discharged to the POTW cause the POTW to be in noncompliance with sludge use or disposal criteria, guidelines, or regulations developed under Section 405 of the Act, any criteria, guidelines, or regulations affecting sludge use or disposal developed pursuant to the Solid Waste Disposal Act, the Clean Air Act, the Toxic Substance Control Act, or State standards applicable to the sludge management method being used.)

(g) Any substance which will cause the POTW to violate its NPDES and/or other disposal system permits.

(h) Any substance with objectionable color not removed in the treatment process, such as, but not limited to, dye wastes and vegetable tanning solutions.

(i) Any wastewater having a temperature which will inhibit biological activity in the POTW treatment plant resulting in interference but, in no case, wastewater which causes the temperature at the introduction into the treatment plant to exceed 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). If, in the opinion of the City, lower temperatures of such wastes could harm either the sewers, wastewater treatment processes, or equipment; have an adverse effect on the receiving streams; or otherwise endanger life, health, or property or constitute a nuisance, the City may prohibit such discharges.

(j) Any unpolluted water including, but not limited to, storm water, surface water, groundwater, roof runoff, parking lot and subsurface drainage, noncontact cooling water, and unpolluted wastewater, unless specifically authorized by the Public Works Director.

(k) Any wastewater containing any radioactive wastes or isotopes of such half life or concentration as exceed limits established by the Director in compliance with applicable State or Federal regulations.

(l) Any wastewater containing pollutants in sufficient quantity (flow or concentration), either singly or by interaction with other pollutants, to pass through or interfere with the POTW, any wastewater treatment or sludge process, or constitute a hazard to humans or animals.

(m) Wastewater containing substances not amenable to treatment or reduction by the wastewater treatment system processes employed, or are amenable to treatment only to such degree that the wastewater treatment plant effluent cannot meet the requirements of other agencies having jurisdiction over discharge to the receiving waters.

(n) Fats, wax, grease, or oils whether emulsified or not, containing substances which may solidify or become viscous at temperatures between 32 degrees Fahrenheit and 150 degrees Fahrenheit (zero degrees Celsius and 65 degrees Celsius).

(o) Any sludges, screenings, or other residues from the pretreatment of industrial waste.

(p) Any hauled waste or septage, except at discharge points designated by the City and authorized in writing by the Director.

(q) Any wastewater causing the treatment plant effluent to demonstrate toxicity to test species during a biomonitoring evaluation.

(r) Any wastewater, residual solvents, or solvent-containing waste from dry cleaning machines, as well as solvent-containing wastewater from any auxiliary operation at dry cleaning facilities.

(2) Limitations on Wastewater Strength.

(a) State Requirements. State requirements and limitations on users of the POTW shall be met by all users that are subject to such standards in any instance in which they are more stringent than Federal requirements and limitations, or those in this chapter or any other applicable ordinance.

(b) Right of Revision. The City reserves the right to amend this chapter to provide for more stringent limitations or requirements on discharges to the POTW where deemed necessary to comply with the objectives set forth in AMC 10.01.010.

(c) Dilution. No user shall increase the use of potable or process water in any way for the purpose of diluting a discharge as a partial or complete substitute for adequate treatment to achieve compliance with the applicable standards set forth in this chapter. The City may impose mass limitations on users which are using dilutions to meet the applicable pretreatment standards or requirements of this chapter.

(d) Specific Pollutant Limitations. No nondomestic user shall discharge wastewater containing restricted substances into the publicly owned treatment works in excess of limitations specified in its wastewater discharge permit or published by the Director. The Director shall publish and revise from time to time standards for specific restricted substances. These standards shall be developed in accordance with 40 CFR 403.5 and shall implement the objectives of this chapter. Standards published in accordance with this section will be deemed pretreatment standards for the purposes of Section 307(d) of the Act. (Ord. 5636, 2006; Ord. 5415 § 1, 1999; Ord. 5016, 1992).

10.01.050 Public policy.

It shall be the public policy of the City of Albany that the City Council does not intend to nor will it limit the City to its present boundaries or the wastewater treatment system to its present facilities.

(1) Service Limitation. The Council shall not extend or furnish sewer service facilities to any residential, commercial or industrial property when the property is without the City limits and is contiguous to the City limits and eligible for annexation within the City limits, except pursuant to the health hazard exception set forth in subsection (4) of this section. The health hazard exception and the findings required therefor are unique to this section and shall have no applicability to any other provision of this code nor shall it entitle the affected property owner(s) to any service, benefit, or discount applicable to health hazards as discussed in other sections of the Albany Municipal Code.

(2) Users. No use or benefits of the sanitary sewer system or wastewater treatment plant of the City shall be extended to or made available to any property not within the corporate limits of the City, except under a contractual agreement with another municipality, service district, or the owners of said property and only then when such property is not located so as to be eligible for annexation to the City at the time the sewer service is requested.

(3) Contract. Use and benefits of the wastewater treatment system and wastewater treatment plant may be granted to property outside of the City on a contractual basis only. For individual property owners the contract shall require that the property owner shall annex his property to the City at the earliest date that the same becomes eligible for annexation under the laws of the State. The contract may further require for financing of the sewer extension, termination of service of the contract if any conditions are not met and any other requirements which are to be deemed in the best interest of the City.

(4) Health Hazard Exception. The Council may authorize the extension of sanitary sewer facilities to property outside of the City limits upon finding that all elements of the following criteria have been met:

(a) The extension will serve only existing residential use(s);

(b) The extension is necessary to mitigate an existing hazard to human health resulting from a failing or inadequate sewage disposal system;

(c) The health hazard cannot practicably be mitigated without connection to the City sanitary sewer system;

(d) Provisions have been or will be made to connect a residential user to the sanitary system at no cost to the City;

(e) The owner(s) of the property to be served pursuant to this exception has executed an irrevocable application for annexation, on a form provided by the City, whereby the City may submit the question of annexation to the voters at any election(s). The property must be contiguous to the City limits and within the urban growth boundary. The annexation application shall not require the owner(s) to pay for the cost of the election. The application shall be binding upon the heirs and subsequent assigns of the owner;

(f) The property owner has tendered the required sewer system development charges to the City and waived any objection thereto;

(g) The property owner has waived, in writing, any objection to a sewer rate differential which may exist, or may be subsequently created, whereby sewer users outside the City are charged a reasonable premium over and above that charged to City residents.

(5) Limitation on Subsequent Sewer Utilization in the Event of Health Hazard Exception. Subsequent to the sewer connection subject to a health hazard exception, no additional sewer connections shall be permitted prior to annexation. (Ord. 5636, 2006; Ord. 5570 § 1, 2004; Ord. 5419 §§ 1, 2, 3, 1999; Ord. 5016, 1992).

10.01.060 Sewer funds.

The “sewer fund” is hereby continued.

(1) Sewer Use Charges. All monies received from sewer users from monthly or quarterly sewer use charges shall be deposited in the sewer fund.

(2) System Development Charges. All monies received from sewer system development charges shall be deposited in the sewer fund. Such funds shall be accounted for separately from those received from sewer use charges. System development charge revenue shall only be spent on capital improvements associated with the sewer system including expenditures relating to repayment of indebtedness; making major emergency repairs; constructing, extending or oversizing sewers, or sewer system appurtenances; or constructing modifications or additions to new or existing treatment plants. (Ord. 5636, 2006; Ord. 5016, 1992).

10.01.070 Sewer rates.

There is levied and imposed upon all owners of property just and equitable use charges and rates necessary to acquire, own, construct, equip, operate and maintain within or without the City limits, a wastewater treatment plant or plants, sanitary sewers, equipment and appurtenances necessary, useful or convenient for a complete sewerage and treatment system. Owners of residential property shall be liable for sewer use charges 120 days after the issuance of a building or set-up permit or when occupied, whichever comes first, or in the case of commercial buildings and multifamily units when a temporary or permanent occupancy permit is issued by the Albany Community Development Department.

(1) Setting Rates by Council Resolution. Sewer use charges shall be established by Council resolution. The City shall not enter into agreements with any parties which are inconsistent with the requirements of Section 204(b)(1)(4) of the Clean Water Act (Public Law 95-217).

(2) Rate Adjustment. The Public Works Director shall recommend adjustments in the sewer use charges to the City Council as it becomes necessary. The City Council shall consider such recommendations, and may approve or further adjust the sewer use charges at their discretion.

(3) Method of Adjustment. The City Council shall set, by resolution, the method to be used by the Public Works Director to determine the percentage of change in sewer use charges. As a minimum, the method selected shall include the change in labor costs including payroll, overhead and fringe benefits, changes in the cost of materials and services, and changes in debt service requirements. Such adjustments may also include funds to be set aside for future use.

(4) Excess Charges and Fees. If costs are incurred beyond normal operation through involvement with noncomplying users, the City may charge the noncomplying user for monitoring, laboratory analysis, inspections, and surveillance as required by Federal pretreatment requirements and this chapter.

(5) As compensation for the use of City-owned rights-of-way, the sewer fund shall pay to the street fund an in-lieu-of franchise fee in the amount of 7 percent of the sewer user receipts. Revenue required to meet debt service payments for projects associated with the construction of the 2008 Albany-Millersburg Water Reclamation Facility and 2010 Talking Water Gardens shall be exempt from the fee. (Ord. 5937 § 2, 2020; Ord. 5636, 2006; Ord. 5405 § 1, 1999; Ord. 5016, 1992).

10.01.080 Sewer system development charges.

To establish appropriate provisions for the construction and expansion of the sewerage system of the City and the treatment plant, to provide for the necessary oversizing of the sanitary sewer system, and to be assured that the cost of such construction and expansion is borne by those who receive the benefits thereof, there is hereby established connection permits for all connections made to the sewer system of the City in accordance with this section.

(1) Refund Not Permitted. If properties change from one use to a lower use requiring a lower system development charge, no refund for system development charges shall be made.

(2) Payment of Fees. Before a building permit may be issued, the applicant shall pay to the City the necessary system development charges and any other fees as may be provided by ordinances or resolutions now in effect or hereinafter adopted.

(3) Sewer System Development Charge to Run with Land. A system development charge paid hereunder shall apply to the particular lot or tract for which it is issued. Any change of use which increases the strength or quantity of wastewater to be discharged or which requires additional connections to the wastewater treatment system shall cause an additional fee to be paid. The owner of the property shall be given credit only for those connections theretofore paid involving the same parcel of property. Where a structure which is served by City sewer is destroyed by fire, flood, wind or act of God, no system development charge shall be charged for a replacement of the structure; provided, the use thereof is not intensified.

(4) Base Rates. Sewer system development charges shall be established by Council resolution. (Ord. 5636, 2006; Ord. 5016, 1992).

10.01.090 Collection.

The City of Albany is hereby directed to collect the fees and charges provided in this chapter from each owner or tenant of property which disposes of wastewater, whether in the City system or otherwise, and monthly each owner or tenant shall be charged the rates set forth in accordance with the provisions of AMC 10.01.070 and 10.01.080.

(1) Administrative Costs. The administrative costs for collection of all fees and charges shall be paid from the sewer fund.

(2) Delinquency. Such sewer use charges or sewer system development charges levied in accordance with this chapter shall be a debt due to the City and shall be a lien upon the property. If this debt is not paid within 30 days after it is due and payable, it shall be deemed delinquent and may be recovered by civil action in the name of the City against the property owner, the person, or both. Change of ownership or occupancy of premises found delinquent shall not be cause for reducing or eliminating the debt due.

(3) Means of Collection – Interest. Should the City find it necessary to collect any delinquent fees or charges for sewer connection or sewer use, it shall be entitled to use any means provided by the laws of the State or permitted by the Charter and ordinances of the City, or any delinquencies in payment of either sewer system development charges or sewer use charges may be certified to the Tax Assessor of Linn County for collection in the manner and as provided by ORS 454.225. Fees and charges which are delinquent shall draw interest at nine percent per annum. Interest shall not be charged if the account is brought current within 60 days of becoming due and payable. If not so paid, interest shall accrue from the date the debt is due. Any interest charge due hereunder which is not paid when due may be recovered in an action at law by the City.

(4) Penalty for Certification. In the event it becomes necessary to certify the service charges established because of the nonpayment therefor, there shall be added to the charges a penalty in the amount of 10 percent thereof and the same shall bear, when certified, interest at the rate of nine percent per annum from the date of such certification.

(5) Hearing Rights. Customers shall have the opportunity, if they do not agree with the billing, to have a hearing on their account. The hearing shall be held by a hearings officer appointed by the Finance Director. The hearings officer’s decision shall be binding. Notice to the utility by the customer of his/her request for a hearing must be given in writing with an explanation of why the customer feels that the bill is incorrect. If a hearing is held and the hearings officer finds in favor of the customer, any or all appropriate charges may be returned to the customer or customer’s account based upon his/her findings. (Ord. 5636, 2006; Ord. 5541, 2002; Ord. 5016, 1992).

10.01.095 Adjustments, back-billing, credits and refunds.

(1) The utility may make adjustments, back-bill, apply credits, pay refunds, or waive fees and charges in accordance with City Council policy. If no Council policy exists, the utility may make adjustments where it is deemed necessary for the proper conduct of the business of the utility. A full explanation of the reason for the adjustment or refund must be filed with the office records and will be made available upon request. Refunds are to be made to the party that made the payment.

When the utility determines that a customer has been mistakenly charged too much for sewer services, the utility will apply a credit to the account based on the date the error first occurred, the date the current customer became responsible for the bill, or a period not to exceed six years, whichever is less. If the date cannot be reasonably determined, the utility will estimate the amount of the credit based on a period not to exceed six years.

When the utility determines that a customer has not been charged or has not been charged enough for sewer services, the utility will back-bill the account based on the date the error first occurred, the date the current customer became responsible for the bill, or a period not to exceed six years,

whichever is less. If the date cannot be reasonably determined, the utility will estimate the bill for a period not to exceed one year. Customers who receive such a delayed bill will be offered the opportunity to make arrangements for installment payments.

(2) Nonregistering Meters. The utility may bill the customer for water consumed while the meter was not registering. The sewer bill will be calculated using an estimate of consumption based either upon the customer’s prior use during the same season of the year or upon a reasonable comparison with the use of other customers receiving the same class of service during the same period and under similar circumstances and conditions.

(3) Adjustments Due to Leaks. Where a water leak exists underground between the meter and the building during the monitoring period for wastewater flow charges, the utility may allow for an adjustment on the wastewater variable charges. In order to qualify for a credit, the leak must be large enough to cause the total consumption to be greater than one and one-half the average amount that has been previously charged to the premises, and the leak must be repaired within 30 days after the customer has been notified of such leak.

For most customers, the variable charges will be adjusted to reflect past winter water consumption records for the property. For customers that are billed based on actual monthly water consumption, the variable charges will be calculated using an estimate of consumption based either upon the customer’s prior use during the same season of the year or upon a reasonable comparison with the use of other customers receiving the same class of service during the same period and under similar circumstances and conditions. Where past water consumption records are not available, the variable charges will be adjusted to reflect the average water consumption for similar accounts.

No adjustment to the sewer bill will be allowed where it is determined that excess water consumption is due to the apparent continued waste of water due to a negligent failure to repair a leak. (Ord. 5636, 2006; Ord. 5541, 2002).

10.01.100 Public sewers required.

(1) Connection Requirements. All property with buildings or structures normally used or inhabited by people and such property is located within 300 feet of a sanitary sewer shall be required to have or make a connection to such sewer.

(2) Malfunctioning or Failing Septic Systems. All property with structures or buildings normally used or inhabited by people that is served by septic tanks, cesspools, or similar private sewage disposal facilities that are found to be failing and/or causing contamination of soil surface, surface water, or groundwater shall connect to any public sanitary sewer system ordered and constructed to alleviate such contamination. When a public sewer becomes available to a property served by a private sewage disposal system, a direct connection shall be made to the public sewer in compliance with this chapter, and any septic tanks, cesspools, or similar private sewage disposal facilities shall be abandoned and filled with suitable materials. No repairs, expansions, or modifications to septic tanks, cesspools, or similar private sewage disposal systems shall be allowed when the property being served by said systems is within 300 feet of sewer system.

(3) Declared Health Hazard. All property with structures or buildings normally used or inhabited by people that is located within territory declared by the Oregon State Health Division or the Linn or Benton County Health Department to contain conditions causing a danger to public health shall connect to any public sanitary sewer system ordered and constructed to alleviate such health hazard. When a public sewer becomes available to a property served by a private sewage disposal system, a direct connection shall be made to the public sewer in compliance with this chapter, and any septic tanks, cesspools, or similar private sewage disposal facilities shall be abandoned and filled with suitable materials.

(4) Polluted Discharges. It shall be unlawful to discharge to any natural outlet within the City or in any area under the jurisdiction of the City, any sanitary sewage, industrial waste, or other polluted water, except where suitable treatment has been provided in accordance with State and Federal laws and any provisions of this chapter.

(5) New Service Connections. The utility may furnish and install a service of such size and at such location as the applicant requests; provided:

(a) The location is such that the utility has in place a sewer main of sufficient size to provide service without detriment to existing customers. In all cases, the final location of the proposed service shall be subject to approval by the utility.

(b) That such a sewer main is adjacent to and extends along the full length of the property frontage along the right-of-way.

(c) Where a parcel has more than 300 feet of frontage along the right-of-way and the parcel is being developed in phases and the sewer main is not immediately needed for the full length of the parcel to facilitate service to other properties or to meet other utility system needs, the requirement of subsection (5)(b) of this section may be reduced, when approved, by delaying the requirement for a sewer main adjacent to that portion of the parcel that remains as an undeveloped portion of a future phase. Such delay, if authorized, is contingent upon the owners of the parcel signing a waiver of remonstrance agreement that commits the parcel to participate in a future local improvement district for the extension of sewer main(s).

(d) Where the property abuts more than one street or right-of-way, sewer mains shall be extended for the full length of the property frontages along the rights-of-way for all frontages, unless it is determined that the extensions on the frontages from which service is not being taken is not currently needed to facilitate service to other properties, and that said sewer mains may be completed at a future time. Such delay, if authorized, is contingent upon the owners of the parcel signing a waiver of remonstrance agreement that commits the parcel to participate in a future local improvement district for the extension of sewer main(s).

(e) The utility shall have sole authority in determining any and all conditions necessary for the provision of service to a property. (Ord. 5636, 2006; Ord. 5016, 1992).

10.01.110 Main extensions.

(1) A main extension and/or special facilities shall be required to service all property which cannot obtain service as outlined in AMC 10.01.100(5).

(2) The following rules shall apply to all extensions:

(a) The minimum size of the sewer main to be installed shall be eight inches in diameter where a larger size is not needed to provide an adequate system, conform with the size of existing mains, meet future needs, or conform to the size specified by the utility’s sewer system facility plan.

(b) All sewer mains shall be public, installed in public rights-of-way or public utility easements. The normal routing for the sewer main extension shall be in a dedicated street right-of-way.

(c) In areas of service below the main system service elevation, special facilities (e.g., pump station) will normally be required in addition to main extensions to provide service.

(d) Financing of Extensions. There are two basic means of financing main extensions, as outlined below.

(i) Total Project Cost. Under this method, the developer is required to pay the total cost of the project. An estimate covering approximate total costs related to the project may be supplied by the utility. If developers install the project themselves or through their own contractor and supply materials, a cash advance sufficient to cover the estimated cost for the utility services needed on the project may be required prior to starting the project. Upon completion of the project, actual costs will be computed and an adjustment made to the contractor or to the utility, as appropriate. In the case of complex projects (projects involving disruption of or cutting into existing roadways, utilities, or pedestrian ways, or other projects where partial completion of the project could result in expense to the utility), the developer may be required to supply a bond to cover the estimated cost of engineering and construction.

(ii) Local Improvement Districts. Local improvement districts may be formed and bonds sold to fund main extensions and special facility projects.

(e) Installers of any and all sewer lines or appurtenances must meet minimum standards. These standards shall include, but are not limited to, insurance requirements, bonding requirements, and experience in the field of sewer line installation. The sewer lines must be installed in accordance with the utility’s specifications which are available upon request. Unless the work is being performed under a City contract, all main extensions shall require a “permit to construct public facilities” and the payment of the associated permit fee. The permit fee shall be 2.5 percent of the total construction cost unless otherwise set by Council resolution.

(f) If developers install and purchase the material themselves, they must guarantee the project for a period of one year from the date of acceptance of the project by the utility. (Ord. 5636, 2006; Ord. 5016, 1992).

10.01.120 Service lateral construction.

In order to regulate connections to the public sewers, to ensure the proper installation of connections to the public sewers, and to ensure the proper construction of private service laterals, the following regulations shall apply:

(1) Encroachment Permit Required. No unauthorized person shall uncover, make any connections with or opening into, use, alter, or disturb any public sewer or appurtenance thereof without first obtaining an encroachment permit.

(2) Application and Fee. The owner of the service lateral or his agent shall make application for an encroachment permit to the Building Department. The permit application shall be supplemented by any drawings, specifications, or other information considered pertinent. A permit and inspection fee shall be paid to the City at the time the application is filed.

(3) Installation Costs. All costs and expense incident to the installation of the service lateral shall be borne by the owner. The owner shall indemnify the City from any loss or damage that may directly or indirectly be occasioned by the installation.

(4) Conformation to State Codes. All service lateral construction shall, at a minimum, meet the requirements of the Plumbing Code and the Occupational Safety and Health Code of the State of Oregon. The City may establish more stringent requirements when it is in the best interest of the City to do so.

(5) Size, Slope, Location, and Length. The size, slope, and location of service laterals within public rights-of-way and easements shall be subject to the approval of the Public Works Director and shall have a diameter of not less than four inches and a slope of not less than one-eighth inch per foot. Where private service laterals will exceed 100 feet in length, as measured from the public main to the structure, the Public Works Director may require extension of public sanitary sewers into the interior of the property.

(6) Inspection. All excavations for service laterals in the public right-of-way shall be open trench unless approved by the Public Works Director; and no backfill shall be placed until the work has been inspected. The owner of the service lateral shall notify the City when the sewer is ready for inspection. The connection to the public sewer shall be made only under the supervision of the Public Works Director or his representatives.

(7) Connection to Public Sewer. The sewer connection shall be made at the “Y” branch. If the “Y” branch is not used or is not available, the owner shall, at his expense, install a “Y” branch in the public sewer or with prior approval of the Public Works Director, a neat hole may be cut into the public sewer and a “sewer boot” connection may be made. Under no circumstances shall the connection pipe extend past the inner surface of the public sewer. All connections shall be made secure and watertight. If necessary in the opinion of the utility, the property owner may be required to connect to a manhole or may be required to install a manhole on the sewer main as a condition of providing service to the property. (Ord. 5636, 2006; Ord. 5415 § 1, 1999; Ord. 5016, 1992).

10.01.130 Service lateral maintenance.

(1) Each property owner shall be responsible for the maintenance of the building sewer(s) from the structure or facility served to the connection with the POTW. “Maintenance” shall include, but is not limited to, removal of any blockages, debris, grease, tree roots, and other material as required to ensure a free flow of wastewater through the lateral; disconnection of abandoned services from the public sewer; and prevention of unpolluted water from entering the service lateral.

(2) “Unpolluted water” includes, but is not limited to, storm water, surface water, groundwater, roof runoff, parking lot and subsurface drainage, noncontact cooling water, and unpolluted wastewater, unless specifically authorized by the Public Works Director. Blockages found within the public right-of-way or easement that are the result of structural failure of the pipe shall be the responsibility of the City as detailed in AMC 10.01.132. (Ord. 5636, 2006; Ord. 5415 § 1, 1999; Ord. 5016, 1992).

10.01.132 Service lateral replacement.

(1) Lateral Replacement within Public Rights-of-Way. The City shall repair or replace structural failures of sanitary sewer service laterals in public rights-of-way when, in the judgment of the Public Works Director, repair or replacement of the service lateral is warranted.

(2) Lateral Replacement on Private Property.

(a) Public Improvement Projects. When, in the judgment of the Public Works Director, replacement of a service lateral is required concurrent with a public improvement project, the City may fund replacement of sanitary sewer service laterals on private property from the property line to the structure. The Public Works Director shall consider such factors as the cause of the failure; the age of the lateral; pipe material, length and condition; ease of repair; conflict with existing structures and improvements; budget authority; and competing priorities in determining the scope and extent of City-funded, private service lateral replacements on private property. City-funded replacements of sanitary sewer laterals on private property shall meet City construction standards and shall be contingent on full and complete consent of the property owner.

(b) Other Replacements. Structural failure of building sewers on private property may be eligible for one-time-only, City-funded replacement. When, in the judgment of the Public Works Director, replacement of a building sewer is required for properties directly fronting a public sanitary sewer, the City may replace the building sewer on private property from the property line to the structure. Properties that do not directly front a public sanitary sewer may only be eligible for City participation in replacement of a portion of the building sewer.

(c) The Public Works Director shall consider criteria given in subsection (2)(a) of this section in determining the scope and extent of the building sewer replacements. City replacement of building sewer replacements shall be contingent upon prior application and approval by the Public Works Director. Any costs incurred or work completed prior to filing an application and receiving approval for replacement shall be ineligible for reimbursements. (Ord. 5636, 2006; Ord. 5415 § 1, 1999).

10.01.133 Assistance in removal of unpolluted waters.

It is the policy of the City to work with property owners in a cooperative manner to remove extraneous flows listed in AMC 10.01.040(1)(j) from the sanitary sewer collection system.

(1) Separation of Roof, Footing and Other Unpolluted Water. The City shall assist property owners disconnecting roof, footing, area and other unpolluted water sources from the sanitary sewer through funding and installation of curb cuts, and drain lines from the face of curb to the property line. The property owner shall be responsible for connection to the drain line at the property line, permit fees and all improvements on private property. (Ord. 5636, 2006; Ord. 5415 § 1, 1999).

10.01.134 Basement flooding protection loans.

The City hereby adopts the following loan program to assist property owners protect their basements from occasional damages due to surcharges within the sanitary sewer system:

(1) Loan Program. A 10-year loan may be available to property owners at an interest rate established by City Council resolution. The purpose of the loan is to assist property owners in financing improvements that will protect basements from damage that may occur as a direct result of surcharging of the public sanitary sewer system. The loan program shall not be available to properties subject to basement flooding for causes unrelated to surcharging of the public sanitary sewer system, including, but not limited to, groundwater seepage and localized storm- and surface-water flooding.

(2) Application. The owner of the property or authorized agent shall make application for a basement flooding protection loan to the Public Works Department. The application shall be supplemented by any drawings, specifications, or other information as requested by the City.

(3) Loan Requirements. Applicants must have fee title ownership of the property, or equitable interest in the property under an instrument of trust or installment purchase contract. To qualify for the loan, improvements on the property must have been constructed prior to January 1, 1999, property taxes must be current at the time of loan closing, and the property owner shall provide evidence of sufficient hazard insurance to cover all City loans and superior liens.

(4) Loan Security. The obligation to repay the loan shall be secured by a lien being placed against the property to be improved. Owners purchasing under contract and title holder(s) shall jointly execute lien agreements.

(5) Loan Repayment. The loan shall be repaid over 10 years, monthly or semiannually, from the date of entry of the lien into the lien docket. The interest rate for the loan shall be established by City Council resolution. A basement flooding protection loan shall be repaid in full if the property is sold or refinanced before the loan is repaid and may be repaid in part or in full at any time without penalties. The lien shall not be subject to subordination.

(6) Collection of Delinquent Loan Payments. The method and schedule for collection of delinquent loan payments shall be established by City Council resolution.

(7) Eligible Costs. Eligible loan expenses shall be determined by the City on a case-by-case basis and shall be limited to only the work necessary to protect a basement from flooding that is directly related to surcharging of the public sanitary sewer system. Expenses incident to the installation of basement flooding protection, including title reporting fees, lien filing fees, permit fees, and improvement expenses to install a backwater valve, ejector pump, sump pump, yard leaders for rain gutters, rerouting of basement plumbing, and related expenses may be eligible for a basement flooding protection loan. Loans shall be available only after completion of all work, final approval of eligible loan costs, and placement of a lien securing the loan.

(8) Maximum Loan Amount. The maximum loan amount shall be established by City Council resolution.

(9) Indemnification. The owner shall indemnify the City from any loss or damage that may directly or indirectly be occasioned by the installation.

(10) Service Lateral Replacement. When, in the judgment of the Public Works Director, replacement of a building sewer is required concurrent with basement flooding protection, the City may replace the building sewer in accordance with AMC 10.01.132(2)(b). The Public Works Director shall consider criteria given in AMC 10.01.132(2)(a) in determining the scope and extent of replacement of the building sewer. City-funded replacements of sanitary sewer laterals on private property shall meet City construction standards and shall be contingent on full and complete consent of the property owner. (Ord. 5636, 2006; Ord. 5415 § 1, 1999).

10.01.138 Appeal process.

Appeals to policy issues concerning sewer lateral maintenance, including the basement flooding loan protection program and service lateral replacements, shall be made to the City Council. The City Council defers final decision authority for technical issues relating to sewer lateral maintenance to the Public Works Director. (Ord. 5636, 2006; Ord. 5415 § 1, 1999).

10.01.140 Protection from damage.

No unauthorized person shall maliciously, willfully, or negligently break, damage, destroy, uncover, deface, or tamper with any structure, appurtenance or equipment which is a part of the City of Albany’s wastewater treatment system. (Ord. 5636, 2006; Ord. 5016, 1992).

10.01.150 Nuisance.

(1) Any property with buildings and structures normally used or inhabited by people and which buildings or structures are not connected to a public sewer system and such property is located within 300 feet of a public sanitary sewer and for which a nonconnection permit has not been issued is declared a nuisance and may be abated as hereinafter set forth.

(2) The abatement procedures set forth herein are not exclusive but are in addition to abatement procedures provided by other ordinances, statutes, and common law. Nor are these abatement procedures a penalty for violating this code. Rather, these procedures are a supplement to all existing penalties. (Ord. 5636, 2006; Ord. 5016, 1992).

10.01.160 Notice to abate.

(1) If the Director or his designate determines that a nuisance exists pursuant to AMC 10.01.150(1) and, in the exercise of his discretion, that the nuisance should be abated, he shall cause a notice to be posted on said property directing the property owner to abate said nuisance.

(2) At the time of posting, the Director or his designate shall cause a copy of the aforesaid notice to be forwarded by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, to the record owner or owners of said property, or their agent at the address designated on the Linn County real property tax assessment rolls.

(3) The notice to abate shall contain:

(a) A description of the real property, by street address or otherwise, upon which the nuisance exists.

(b) A direction to abate the nuisance by a specified time which may be set by the Director or his designate. Said time shall be at least 30 days and at most 180 days.

(c) A description of the nuisance.

(d) A statement that unless the nuisance is corrected, the City may abate the nuisance and the cost of abatement, including but not limited to, the costs of all permits, system development charges, construction fees and material costs shall be assessed against the real property.

(4) Upon completion of the posting and mailing, the persons doing said posting and mailing shall execute and file certificates stating the date and place of mailing and posting respectively.

(5) An error in the name or address of the property owner/owners/agent shall not make the notice void and in such case the notice shall still be sufficient. (Ord. 5636, 2006; Ord. 5016, 1992).

10.01.170 Abatement procedures.

(1) In the event that the property in question has not been lawfully connected to a public sanitary sewer nor obtained a nonconnection permit within the time specified in the notice of abatement, the Director or his designate may cause said property to be connected to the public sewer.

(2) The aforesaid connection may be completed by the City or by private contractors hired by the City for the completion of said work.

(3) The City, or the aforesaid private contractor and all authorized employees and agents thereof, shall have the right at reasonable times to enter into or upon the property in question as necessary to complete said connection.

(4) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Director or his designate finds that the property has not been connected to the public sewer within the time specified in the notice, but finds that the property owner/owners are making a good faith effort to complete said connection, the Director or his designate may grant one or more 30-day extensions upon the written request from the property owner/ owners in question. (Ord. 5636, 2006; Ord. 5016, 1992).

10.01.180 Assessment of costs.

(1) Upon completion of the connection pursuant to the foregoing abatement procedures, the Director or his designate shall prepare a recap of all costs incurred in construction of the sewer connection in question. Said costs shall include the costs of all permits and system development charges customarily charged by the City at the time of said connection. To this sum shall be added 15 percent to help defer the City’s engineering, legal and administrative expenses incurred in the aforesaid connection.

(2) A summary of costs shall be mailed by registered or certified mail to the same person or persons to whom the notice of abatement was sent as per AMC 10.01.160(2), or their successors in title, and shall advise of the City’s intent to assess said costs against the real property and shall further advise the owner/owners of their right to a hearing before the City Council prior to assessment upon receipt by the Director, within 30 days of the date of mailing, of a written request for hearing.

(3) If the costs of abatement are not paid to the City within 30 days from the date of the mailing of the summary of costs, said summary shall be presented to the City Council and if the Council finds said costs to be reasonable, the Council shall pass an ordinance directing the amount of said costs be entered in the docket of City liens; and upon such entry being made, said costs shall constitute a lien upon the property in question. Prior to passing said ordinance, the Council will afford the property owner/owners a right to be heard by the Council if a written request for hearing has been received by the Director within 30 days of the date of mailing of the aforesaid summary of costs.

(4) The lien shall be enforced in the same manner as liens for street improvements and shall bear interest at a rate to be determined by the Council at the time of the ordinance referred to above. The interest shall commence from the date of entry of the lien in the lien docket and shall have priority over all other liens and assessments to the maximum extent permitted by law.

(5) An error in the name of the property owner/ owners/agents shall not void the assessment, nor will a failure to receive the notice of the proposed assessment render the assessment void, but it shall remain a valid lien against the property. (Ord. 5636, 2006; Ord. 5016, 1992).

10.01.185 Hauled waste.

All hauled waste must be discharged at the City of Albany wastewater treatment plant in accordance with rules and regulations shown in Chapter 10.06 AMC. (Ord. 5636, 2006; Ord. 5165 § 2, 1994).

10.01.210 Penalties.

Willful or continued violation of any of the provisions herein established shall be deemed a misdemeanor and anyone convicted of such misdemeanor shall be subject to penalties as provided in AMC 1.04.010. (Ord. 5636, 2006; Ord. 5016, 1992).

10.01.220 Severability.

If any provision, paragraph, word, section, or article of this chapter is invalidated by any court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions, paragraphs, words, sections, and chapters shall not be affected and shall continue in full force and effect. (Ord. 5636, 2006; Ord. 5016, 1992).


1

Prior legislation: Ords. 1960, 1975, 1998, 2153, 2510, 2524, 2657, 2716, 2739, 2786, 3253, 3330, 3472, 3484, 3491, 3565, 3788, 3800, 3820, 3843, 3857, 3875, 4015, 4102, 4144, 4509, 4555, 4616 and 4900.