Title
Consider adopting Ordinance No. 3905, amending Chapter 86, Section 86-614 pertaining to Fats, Oils, and Grease, and establishing fees for inspection services; and take appropriate action.
Body
REQUESTOR:
Public Works Department
BACKGROUND:
Food establishments typically generate fats, oils, and grease (FOG) in their daily operations. If these operational byproducts are not captured, they will build up in the City’s sanitary sewer system and eventually block or reduce the sewage flow rate to a point that results in overflowing the pipes. The buildup of FOG causes 20% of all sanitary sewer overflows, exposing the environment to untreated wastewater. Food establishments typically install and maintain grease traps to capture fat deposits before they drain into the sanitary sewer system. These facilities are installed per the adopted plumbing code. However, these facilities can overflow and impact the business and the City’s sanitary sewer and stormwater systems if not maintained properly.
DISCUSSION:
In January 2024, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 3847 granting Public Works the authority to regulate the use of grease and grit traps to maintain the upkeep of the City’s sanitary sewer system, including the City to require and issue permits for grease and grit traps. During Fiscal Year 2025, the City contracted with a company to perform inspections of grease traps. As a result, the City did not know the true cost of the service at the time the budget was adopted. This ordinance introduces the fee amount, and it will be provided in the Fee Schedule moving forward. The fee is a pass-through cost from the City based on the contracted service cost of the inspections. The implementation of the fee lines up with the timeline discussed during the January 2024 presentation. The fees were to be introduced in January 2025 to a master fee schedule.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Budgeted Financial Impact (Funds are budgeted in Utilities-Sewer Mains account)
DISTRICT:
Citywide
POSSIBLE COUNCIL ACTION:
1. I move to approve Ordinance No. 3905 as presented.
2. I move to approve Ordinance No. 3905 with modifications.
3. I move to table the issue for further study or take no action.
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. Ordinance No. 3905
2. Presentation