Loading...
Water Policy Background InfoSince then the City Council has determined that the majority of Shorewood residents did not support such an aggressive approach to the construction of a city-wide system. Consequently, the direction at this time is to concentrate on making the existing system as reliable and financially viable as possible, and to serve residents where demand can be demonstrated. The City's water policies and codes have been updated based upon the following guidelines: The overall water system is to remain financially self-supporting. Any future extensions of city water must be consistent with the overall plan for city water (i.e. pipe sizes). With the exception. of commercial and multiple-family residential, no one is required to physically connect to the system. Further, existing wells can be maintained and new wells can be drilled. • New development of more than three lots shall provide city water where it is technically and financially feasible. • Allow water main extensions to provide water to residents where technically and financially feasible and where demand can be demonstrated. Consider a super - majority of residents as being demand for water extensions. The City will continue to examine ways to provide water as economically as possible. Future planning should include the preparation of engineering estimates for various logical extensions of water main. These estimates should be updated annually to advise residents of approximate water costs. Feasibility studies will be prepared based upon interest. Water main extension should be considered in all projects, providing adequate right-of-way, if nothing else. Finally, the City should explore the demand for water in conjunction with all street reconstruction projects. Storm Sewer In 1975 the City prepared a Comprehensive Storm Water Study which identified 16 subwatershed districts within the community (see page CF-23). The Purgatory Creek drainage district and part of the Carson Bay district is located in the Riley-Purgatory-Bluff Creek Watershed. The remaining 15 drainage districts are located within the Minnehaha Creek Watershed. While the study proposed substantial reliance on natural drainage systems, particularly the preservation and use of wetlands, a number of areas were proposed to be served by storm sewer. New development has, for the most part, been required to install storm water drainage facilities consistent with the 1975 study. The 1975 Study has been completely updated with the adoption of the Surface Water Management Plan (SWMP), adopted earlier this year. The SWMP has been developed to meet local watershed management planning requirements of the Metropolitan Surface Water Management Act and Board of Water and Soil Resources. It has been developed to be in conformance with the requirements of the local Watershed Districts, Metropolitan Council requirements, and applicable State and Federal laws. Its intent is to provide the City with direction concerning the administration and implementation of water resource activities within the community. This study is based upon more detailed topographic information acquired by the 11/09 CF-21 Section 903.01 Purpose and intent 903.02 Compliance with provisions 903.03 Private wells 903.04 Water service connections 903.05 Water turn-on and shut-off fees 903.06 Installation and construction requirements and specifications 903.07 Service pipes 903.08 Meters 903.09 Water rates and charges 903.10 Water connections served by adjacent municipalities 903.11 Authorized water shut offs 903.12 Conservation measures 903.13 Restricted and prohibited acts 903.14 Discontinuance of service 903.15 Mandatory hook up, commercial and multiple-family residential users and certain residential developments 903.16 Right of entry powers 903.17 Disclaimer of liability 903.18 Water improvement process 903-19 Amendment - notice 903.20 Violation The city municipal water system (hereinafter called the water system) shall be operated as a public utility and convenience from which revenue will be derived, subject to the provisions of this chapter. I I 903.02 Shorewood - Public Right-of-Way and Property 903.04 No person shall make, construct or install any water service installation, or make use of any water service connected to the water system except in the manner provided in this chapter, nor shall any person make, construct, install or make use of any installation connected to the water system contrary to the regulatory provisions of this chapter. (Ord. 395, passed 7-28-2003) 9 R I LYA 9 WAV: 4 Pursuant to the current State Well Code and the Minnesota Plumbing Code, private wells may be constructed or maintained and continued in use whether or not connection is made to the water system. In no event shall there be a means of cross-connection between the private well and the municipal water system at any time. Hose bibbs that will enable the cross-connection of the two systems are prohibited on internal piping of the well supply system. The threads of the boiler drain of the well volume tank shall be removed or the boiler drain hose Bibb replaced with a sink faucet. (Ord. 395, passed 7-28-2003) JOU", Subd. 1. Existing service stubs. Service stubs have been installed to serve some homes and businesses presently located in the city. For those homes and businesses, the connections are ready for use by the existing structures in the city. a. Permit to connect, fee. A permit must be obtained to connect to the water system. The fee for each permit shall be as set by Council ordinance. The fee shall include inspection and turn-on services performed by the city. b. Conditions of permit. The permit fee shall be paid at the time of making application for water service. In addition thereto, before any permit shall be issued, the following conditions shall be complied with: (1) No permit shall be issued to tap or connect with any water main or water system of the city either directly or indirectly from any lot or tract of land unless it shall be determined that: (a) The lot or tract of land to be served by the connection or tap has been assessed for the cost of construction of the water main and water plan system with which the connection is made; or 0119DA 903.04 Water Use and Service 903.04 (b) The proceedings for levying the assessments have been or will be commenced in due course; or (c) A connection charge has been paid. (2) A water meter, meter horn, and remote reader shall be purchased from the city at the time permit is applied for. (3) If the lot is served by the Southeast Area or Boulder Bridge water systems and is below an elevation of 975 feet, a pressure reducing valve (PRV) shall be purchased from the city at the time the permit is applied for if a new connection or upon notice by the city if an existing connection. (4) Inspections: All property service lines shall be inspected by the City Water Inspector before the lines are covered to insure proper construction of the line and connection to the service stub. The owner or contractor shall give at least 24 hours advance notice to the City Water Inspector when the service pipe is ready for inspection. (5) Turn on and shut offs: Only an authorized city employee shall turn on or shut off any water supply at the curb stop. Subd. 2. New service stubs; application for water service connection. In the event additional connections or stubs to existing water trunk or lateral facilities are required or desired, applications shall be made at the City Hall on forms furnished by the city. a. Applications. All applications for service stubs shall be made by the owner of the property to be served, or his duly authorized agent, and shall state the size and location of the service connection required, and the applicant shall, at the time of making application, pay to the city the amount of fees required for the installation of the service connection as hereinafter provided. The application shall also contain the name of the owner, a description of the property, lot, block and addition, name of road upon which the property fronts and the signature of the applicant, or his agent, agreeing to conform to the rules and regulations that may be established by the city as conditions for the use of water. b. Performance bond. For the purpose of assuring and guaranteeing to the city that the installation of the service connection shall fully comply with all of the other terms and provisions of this chapter, the applicant agrees to furnish to the city either a cash deposit or a corporate surety bond in the sum of $4,000 approved by the city and naming the city as obligee thereunder. c. Inspections. All property service stubs shall be inspected by the City Water Inspector before the stubs are covered to insure proper construction of the stubs and connection to the water main. KIM 903.04 Shorewood - Public Right-of-Way and Property 903.Og d. Additional requirements. All requirements set forth in subdivision 1 of this section shall be applicable to this subdivision. Subd. 3. Connection charge. A connection charge shall be paid by the owners of the lot or tract of land to be served by the municipal water system. The amount of the connection charge shall be as set forth in Chapter 1301 of this code and as follows: a. Connection charges for various land uses shall be made in accordance with the following formula: Land Use Formula Single-family residential C Multiple-family residential* C x S+ 0.250 x U Commercial C x REU Schools, churches, government and other 1.5C non-residential Where: C = Connection charge as set forth in Chapter 1301 of this code U = Number of dwelling units S = Number of structures REU = Number of residential equivalent units (there shall be one REU per 20,000 square feet of land area 'Multiple family structures include those buildings designed with two or more dwelling units. For the purposes of this chapter, the formula shall be based on no more than 12 dwelling units per structure. b. For properties previously assessed for municipal water service the connection charge shall be the amount specified in Chapter 1301 of this code, less the amount previously assessed. c. In addition to the above, developers of new projects or subdivisions will be required to install trunk and lateral mains, services and appurtenant items at the time of development or platting. Pipe sizes shall be as set forth in the city's municipal water plan, as may be amended. d. For properties not presently served by municipal water service, developers or property owners who wish to extend water service to their property line, shall pay for the cost of the improvement or the water connection charge, whichever is greater. 903.04 Water Use and Service 903.06 e. A property owner may petition and the Council, at its discretion, allow the connection charge to be assessed against the property, provided that the assessment will not adversely affect the City's Water Fund. (Ord. 395, passed 7-28-2003) lite A fee as established by ordinance of the City Council shall be charged for turning on or shutting off water except in instances where a connection permit has been obtained by the property owner. (Ord. 395, passed 7-28-2003) F WSW I 2111� i 1111 U 0103 11 11 Subd. 1. Supervision. All work performed within the limits of the city shall comply with all requirements of the Minnesota Plumbing Code as amended and the Shorewood Standard Specifications and Details Manual and shall be under the direct supervision of the City Water Inspector and Public Works Director. Subd. 2. Authority to do work. Only persons authorized by this chapter shall tap any distributing main or pipe of the water system, or insert stopcocks or ferrule therein. Subd. 3. Excavations. If the installation is to be in a surfaced street, the location of the water main shall be ascertained from the City Engineer and, upon completion, the installation shall be inspected by the Public Works Department. Prior to construction within the street, notice shall be given to the City Water Inspector, School District, United States Post Office, Police and Fire Departments, and City Public Works Director. The notice must be given at least three days prior to the excavation for laying of the service pipe, and the connection must be made before 3:00 p.m. After approval by the Public Works Department, the street shall be restored to its previously existing condition as directed and approved by the Public Works Department. The expense of the construction and restoration shall be borne by the applicant. Subd. 4. Separate connections and meters. No more than one housing unit or building shall be supplied from one service connection except by special permission of the City Council. Whenever two or more parties are supplied from one pipe, connecting with the distribution main, each building or part of the building must have a separate stop box and a separate meter. 903.06 Shorewood - Public Right-of-Way and Property 903.07 Subd. 5. Property service lines. All installations of property service lines shall comply with the following: a. Property service pipe must be laid with sufficient waving to allow not less than one foot extra length and in the manner as to prevent rupture by settlement. b. Property service lines must be placed not less than seven and one-half feet below surface or finished grade, whichever is lower, and arranged so as to prevent rupture by freezing. c. A shut off or other curb stop shall be installed at the property line and placed so as to be protected from freezing. d. All underground joints are to be mechanical (compression or flared, not sweated) unless otherwise approved by the City Inspector. e. Joints shall be kept to a minimum with not more than one joint used for service up to 70 feet in length. f. All piping joints and connections shall be left uncovered until inspected and tested at normal water line pressure. g. Connections at mains for domestic supply shall be at least one inch. h. No water pipe shall be connected with any pump, well, tank or piping that is connected with any other water supply other than the municipal water system. Not more than one building shall be supplied from one service connection unless by special permission from the City Council. j When two or more buildings are supplied from one pipe, each building must have a separate stop box and separate meter. k. Prior to connection with the municipal water system, all means of cross-connection to a retained private water supply shall be eliminated. Subd. 1. Maintenance and repair. It shall be the responsibility of the property owner to maintain the service pipe from the curb box into the structure. In the case of failure upon the part of the property owner to repair any leak occurring in his pipe within 24 hours after verbal or written notice thereof, the water will be shut off and will not be turned on until the service charge, as established by ordinance of the Council, has been paid and the leak 903.07 Water Use and Service 903.08 repaired. When the waste of water is great, or when damage is likely to result from the leak, water may be turned off immediately pending repairs, Subd. 2. Abandoned service installations. All service installations that have not been used for one year, or for any reason have become useless for further service, shall be shut off at the curb stop. Any expense of the city shall be charged to the property and, if not paid within 30 days, shall be treated as a delinquent account pursuant to this chapter. (Ord. 395, passed 7-28-2003) 903.08 METERS. Subd. 1. Meter use required. Except for extinguishing of fire, no person except authorized city employees shall use water from the water supply system or permit water to be drawn therefrom unless the same be metered by passing through a meter supplied by the city. Subd. 2. Installation of meters. All water meters shall be installed by a licensed plumber in accordance with the following rules: a. The service pipe from the water main to the meter shall be brought through the floor in a vertical position. The stop and waste valve shall be installed approximately 12 inches above the floor. b. The meter shall be located so that the bottom is from twelve to 24 inches above the finished floor line. The meter shall be set not more than 12 inches, measured horizontally from the inside line of the basement wall, unless an alternate method is approved by the City Water Inspector. c. All meter installations shall have a stop and waste valve on the street side of the meter. In no case shall there be more than 12 inches of pipe exposed between the point of entrance through the basement floor and the stop and waste valve. A stop and waste valve shall also be installed on the house side of the meter. Meter setting devices shall be of copper pipe or tubing from the terminus of the service pipe up to and including the house side stop and waste valve. d. A remote reader shall be installed on the outside of the building in which the meter is contained at a height of three feet to five feet above grade. Subd. 3. Maintenance, repair and replacement. a. Replacement of meter. All water meters shall be and remain the property of the city and may be removed or replaced or changed as to size and type by the city whenever deemed necessary. 903.08 Shorewood - Public Right-of-Way and Property 903.09 b. Maintenance and repair. The city shall maintain and repair all meters when rendered unserviceable through ordinary wear and tear and shall replace them if necessary. However, where any replacement or repair or adjustment of any meter is necessary because of damage from hot water backup, damage from freezing water, or damage from any act, carelessness or negligence of the owner or occupants of any premises, any expense incurred by the city to repair the damage shall be charged against and collected from the property owner, and water service may be discontinued until the cause is corrected and the amount charged collected. Subd. 4. Meter tests. When a consumer makes a complaint that the bill for any past services has been excessive, the city shall, upon written request, have the meter re-read. If the user remains dissatisfied and desires that the meter be tested, the user shall then make a deposit in an amount established by ordinance of the City Council, and the city shall test the meter. The user shall, if he or she so desires, be present when the test is made. In case a test should show an error of over 5 % of the water consumed in favor of the city, the deposit will be refunded to the user and a correctly registering meter will be installed and the date of written request and the minimum charge shall not be affected. In case the test shows an accurate measurement of water or an error in favor of the user, the amount deposited shall be retained by the city to cover the expenses of making the test. Subd. 5. Unauthorized tampering with meter. All water meters shall be inspected and sealed by the City Water Inspector. No person not authorized by the city shall connect, disconnect, take apart, remove the seal, or in any manner change or cause to be changed or interfere with any meter or the action thereof. (Ord. 395, passed 7-28-2003; Am. Ord. 464, passed 2-22-2010) 1 -11WIT11W . I I Subd. 1. Rates and charges established. a. Water service rates - quarterly rates. The water rate due and payable to the city by each water user for water taken from the municipal water system shall be at a quarterly rate established by a ordinance of the City Council. Where service is for less than a quarterly period, the quarterly charge will be prorated on a monthly basis, b. Meter charges. A charge for a water meter shall be made by the city. Property owners or users shall pay in advance before delivery ,of the water meter for installation. The charge shall be as established by the City Council by ordinance. 903.09 Water Use and Service 903.09 c. Water turn on. The established turn-on fee will be charged for turning on water where service has been shut off for nonpayment of water billings, failure to repair a leak, discontinuance of service, or other reason specified in this chapter. d. Estimated and adjusted rates. (1) In the event the water meter servicing any property is found to be operating in a faulty manner or to have become inoperative, the amount of water will be estimated in accordance with the amount previously used in comparable periods of the year. (2) The City Council shall be authorized to make adjustments in water charges when the amount billed is erroneous due to a meter deficiency or other mistake. e. Rates outside city limits. Rates due and payable by each water user located beyond the territorial boundaries of the city shall be determined by special contract. Subd. 2. Listing of accounts. All accounts shall be kept on the books of the city in the name of the owner of the property served. All bills and notices sent out by the city shall be sent to the address of the property served. If nonresident owners or agents desire personal notice sent to a different address, they shall file an application therefore with the city. Any error in address shall be promptly reported to the city. Subd. 3. Bills for services, delinquencies, discontinuance, tax assessments. a. Billing. Statements for charges for water service for a quarterly period shall be mailed to each property owner or user on or before the tenth day of the first month following the end of the quarter and shall be due and payable on or before the last day of the months of January, April, July and October following the quarterly period covered by the statement. b. Delinquencies. After the last day of the month in which payment is due, a penalty of 10 % of the unpaid account balance will be assessed and added to the amount due on the account. If the balance due on the account is not paid in full within 45 days of the day on which the account became due, a notice shall be sent to the property owner or user informing the property owner or user that the account is delinquent and that unless the account balance is paid in full within 15 days, the water may be shut off and the prescribed shut-off fee will be assessed. c. Discontinuance of service. If the property owner or user does not respond to the notice given above, prior to the date indicated in the notice, and the statement remains unpaid, the water may be shut off at the curb stop. Prior to the water being turned back on again, the property owner or user shall be required to pay all delinquent charges, plus penalties and shut-off fees, and the prescribed turn-on fee. 903.09 Shorewood - Public Right-of-Way and Property 903.10 d. Appeals to discontinuance of service. The property owner or user may appeal the notice to the City Council during the 15 day period set forth in Subd. 3(b). Water service shall continue to the appealing property owner or user pending the decision of the Council on the appeal. Upon the determination of the Council, the water may be shut off pursuant to Subd. 3(c) as set forth above. e. Tax assessments. All delinquent accounts may be certified by the Clerk who shall prepare an assessment roll each year providing for assessment of the delinquent accounts against the respective property served. This assessment roll shall be delivered to the City Council for adoption prior to November 30 of each year and upon approval thereof, the Clerk shall certify to the County Auditor the amount due, plus a certification fee as established by ordinance of the City Council, and the County Auditor shall thereupon enter the amount as part of the tax levy on the premises to be collected during the ensuing year. The action may be optional or subsequent to taking legal action to collect delinquent accounts. (Ord. 395, passed 7-28-2003; Am. Ord. 456, passed 2-9-2009; Am. Ord. 464, passed 2-22-2010) I - 1 • r r 1 AM The City Council has heretofore and will in the future enter into contracts with adjacent municipalities to provide water service to properties located within the city. All permits to be issued under this chapter shall comply with the terms of the agreements. In instances where the cost of the water 903.10 Water Use and Service 903.13 hook-up from the supplying city is included in full or in part as a quarterly charge, then shall be added to the billing for the minimum quarterly water charge to be paid by the recipient. (Ord. 395, passed 7-28-2003) In case of fire or alarm of fire, water may be shut off to insure a supply for the fire fighting; or in making repairs or construction of new works, water may be shut off at any time and kept shut off as long as necessary. (Ord. 395, passed 7-28-2003) Subd. 1. Whenever the City Council shall determine that a shortage of water supply threatens the city, it may, by resolution, limit the time and hours during which water may be used from the water system for lawn and garden sprinkling, irrigation, car washing and other uses specified therein. Appropriate 'notice of the limitation shall be given prior to the enforcement thereof. Subd. 2. To conserve water resources, prevent the wasteful. and harmful effects of sprinkling during mid-day hours, and allow the city's water system adequate opportunity to replenish the water supply in the city's water storage tanks, certain limitations must be placed on the use of the city's water supply. During the period of May I through September 30 of any year, a person may only sprinkle or irrigate lawns, sod, seeded areas, gardens, shrubs, or other vegetation with city water in the city before 11 :00 a.m. and after 4:30 p.m. Watering activities such as play toys, car washing and hand watering of flower beds are exempt, as long as the activity is continuously human attended. (Ord. 395, passed 7-28-2003; Am. Ord. 451, passed 7-14-2008) Subd. 1. Unauthorized turn on or shut off. No person, except an authorized city employee or agent, shall turn on or off any water supply at the curb stop. A turn-on or shut-off fee in an amount equivalent to twice the prescribed fee shall be charged for the unauthorized turn on or shut off of any connection to the municipal water system. 903-11 903.13 Shorewood - Public Right-of-Way and Property 903.15 Subd. 2. Unauthorized use of hydrants, interference with system. No person, other than employees or agents of the city, shall operate fire hydrants or interfere in any way with the water system. Subd. 3. Supplying water to others. No person shall permit water from the water system to be used for any purpose except upon his own premises unless written consent is first obtained from the city. (Ord. 395, passed 7-28-2003) 903.14 DISCONTINUANCE OF SERVICE. Water service may be shut off at any curb stop connection whenever: Subd. 1. The owner or occupant of the premises served, or any person working on any pipes or equipment thereon which are connected with the water system, has violated, threatens to violate or causes to be violated, any of the provisions of this chapter. Subd. 2. Any charge for water, service, meter or other financial obligation imposed on the present or former owner or occupant of the premises served is unpaid. Subd. 3. Fraud or misrepresentation by the owner or occupant of the premises served in connection with an application for service. (Ord, 395, passed 7-28-2003) 903.15 MANDATORY HOOK UP, COMMERCIAL AND MULTIPLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL USERS AND CERTAIN RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS. The owner of a property used for commercial purposes or for multiple-family residential purposes, involving four or more dwelling units, situated within the city and abutting on any street, alley or right- of-way in which there is located a municipal water trunk or lateral facility, is hereby required at its expense to connect to the facility in accordance with the provisions of this chapter within 90 days after the date of official written notice by the City Council to so connect. Single-family residential developments of more than three lots shall be required to connect to the municipal water system, at the developer's expense, based upon a determination by the City Engineer that the connection is feasible. The connection is considered feasible if the cost of providing water to the property line of the lots within the development does not exceed the connection charges, set forth in § 903,04, subd. 3. of this code, times the number of lots in the development. (Ord. 395, passed 7-28-2003) 903-12 2009S-4 903.16 Water Use and Service 903.16 Authorized city employees shall have free access at reasonable hours of the day to all parts of every building and premises connected to the water system necessary for reading of meters and inspection. City employees shall be properly identified and shall display the identification upon seeking admittance to the building. (Ord. 395, passed 7-28-2003) 2009S-12 Shorewood - Public Right -of -Way and Property 'Water Use and Service The city shall not be liable for any deficiency or failure in the supply of water to property owners or users, whether occasioned by shutting the water off for the purpose of making repairs or connections, or from any other cause whatever. MEM Subd. 1. Scope and purpose. The purpose of this subsection is to supplement the requirements of State law, to provide for the methods to initiate a water improvement, and to authorize the formulation of policies relating to allocating the costs for the public improvements. Subd. 2. Special assessment procedure. a. Initiating the improvement. Improvement proceedings may be initiated in any one of the following four ways: (1) One hundred percent petition. By a petition signed by 100 % of the owners of real property abutting any street named as the location of the improvement. Upon receipt of a petition of 100% of the abutting property owners, the City Council must determine that it has been signed by 100% of the owners of the affected property. After making this determination, a feasibility report shall be undertaken and the project may be ordered without a public hearing, pursuant to the procedures set forth in M.S. § 429; or 903.18 Shorewood - Public Right-of-Way and Property 903.18 (4) By the initiative of the City Council. If the City Council determines to order an improvement, a feasibility report, as set forth in c. below, shall be undertaken and a public hearing shall be scheduled to consider the project. A simple majority vote of the City Council is needed to start the proceedings. If an improvement is ordered, benefitting properties shall be assessed pursuant to the procedures set forth in M.S. § 429. b. Petitions. Not later than the time a petition is considered for acceptance by the City Council pursuant to a.(1) through a.(3) of this section, the petitioners shall have executed and delivered to the city an agreement whereby the petitioners agree to pay the cost of the improvement as defined in the agreement and agree not to contest or challenge either the assessment process or the amount to be assessed. The petition shall include an agreement that the cost of preparing the feasibility report shall be paid by the petitioners in the event the improvement is determined not to be feasible. Failure to pay for the feasibility report shall result in the costs being assessed against the properties of the petitioners. c. Preparing the feasibility study. An improvement project which is initiated by action of the City Council or by a 35% or 67% petition, as set forth in a.(2) and a.(3) of this section, may be ordered only after a public hearing. Prior to adopting a resolution calling a public hearing on an improvement, the Council must secure from the City Engineer a report advising it in a preliminary way as to: (1) Whether the proposed improvement is feasible; (2) Whether the proposed improvement is consistent with Capital Improvement Planning; (3) Whether the improvement should be made as proposed or in connection with some other improvement; (4) The estimated cost of the improvement; (5) A proposed project schedule; and (6) Any other information thought pertinent and necessary for complete Council consideration. d. Holding a public hearing on the improvement. (1) Improvement projects which are initiated by a 100% petition may be ordered by the City Council without a public hearing if the City Council determines the project may be undertaken without unreasonable changes to the Capital Improvements Program or the petitioning property owners agree to pay 100% of the cost of the improvements. In the case of a Council - initiated project or petition of less than 100% of abutting property owners, the Council must adopt a resolution calling a public hearing on the VIT uNater Use and Service 903.18 improvement project for which mailed and published notices of the hearing must be given. The notice of public hearing must include the following information: (a) The time and place of hearing; (b) The general nature of the improvements; (c) The estimated cost; and (d) The area proposed to be assessed. (2) Not less than 10 days before the hearing the notice of hearing must be mailed to the owner of each parcel in the area proposed to be assessed. The notice of public hearing must be published in the city's legal newspaper at least twice, each publication being at least one week apart, with the last publication at least three days prior to the hearing. (3) At the public hearing, the contents of the feasibility study will be presented and discussed with the intent of giving all interested parties an opportunity to be heard and their views expressed. (4) Following a public hearing a resolution ordering the improvement may be adopted at any time within six months after the date of the hearing by a four-fifths vote of the City Council, unless the project was initiated by a 35 % petition or a 67 % petition in which event it may be adopted by a majority vote. At this time a special assessment is considered to be "pending" for all assessable properties in the improvement area. Subd. 3. Deferred assessments. a. ne City Council may defer special assessments. On homestead property owned by a person who qualifies under the hardship criteria set forth below. 903.18 Shorewood - Public Right-of-Way and Property 903.19 (1) If the City Council grants the deferment, the City Administrator/Clerk shall notify the County Auditor who shall in accordance with M.S. § 435.194, record a notice of the deferment with the County Recorder setting forth the amount of assessment. (2) Interest shall be charged on any assessment deferred pursuant to this section at a rate equal to the rate charged on other assessments for the particular public improvement projects the assessment is financing. If the City Council grants an assessment deferral to an applicant, the interest may also be deferred, or the interest may be due and payable on a yearly basis up until the assessment period terminates and only the principal is deferred. The decision as to whether the principal and interest or just the principal is deferred is decided by the City Council when considering the application. Subd. 4. Conditions of hardship. a. Any applicant must be 65 years of age, or older, or retired by reason of permanent or total disability and must own a legal or equitable interest in the property applied for which must be the homestead of the applicant; or b. The annual gross income of the applicant shall not be in excess of the criteria for determining low income as set by the Hennepin County CDBG Program income limits for very low income and family size. Income specified in the application should be the income of the year proceeding the year in which the application is made, or the average income of the three years prior to the year in which the application is made, whichever is less; and c. Permanent and/or total disability shall be determined by using the criteria established for "permanent and total disability" for Workman's Compensation and the Social Security Administration. Subd. 5. Policies. The City Council shall establish and may from time to time modify policies pertaining for the fair, equitable and consistent allocation of the cost of water improvements. The policies may relate to factors for determining economic feasibility, fees and charges for connecting to the system and the additional matters as the Council shall determine appropriate in its reasonable discretion. MIREM This chapter may not be modified, amended, or repealed until a public hearing is held thereon by the City Council. A notice of the time, place and purpose of the hearing shall be published in the city's official newspaper and on its website at least 10 days prior to the day of the hearing. Failure of any 903-19 Water Use and Service 903.20 person to actually receive the notice shall not invalidate the proceedings provided a bona fide attempt to comply with these provisions has been made. MEME Any person violating any provision of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and punished according to § 104.01 of this code. (Ord. 395, passed 7-28-2003)