Title
Ordinance No. 24-23 amending Part 3 (Water Service) of Article 4 (Water Code) of Chapter 12 (Utilities) of the Code of the City Of Colorado Springs 2001, as Amended, Pertaining to Water Service
Presenter:
Renee Congdon, Utilities Division Chief, City Attorney’s Office
Body
Summary:
Recommended changes to City Code to (1) make the annexation code consistent with current practice, (2) add exceptions to the exclusive provider section of Code; (3) make the policies regarding outside-City service consistent with inside service, (4) move the policy regarding outside-City service to Chapter 12, and (5) streamline the water extension policy.
Background:
Utilities staff and the City Attorney’s Office drafted proposed changes to portions of City Code related to annexation, outside city service and special contract service as part of the initial AnnexCOS project. Those changes were presented to Utilities Board in September 2022. The project was put on hold as the Board and Council worked on the water extension ordinance. In June of 2023, City Council member Risley started a review of the annexation ordinance and process. Changes to the annexation ordinance and process were presented to the Utilities Board Strategic Planning Committee at its meeting in August 2023. The committee asked for a wholistic review of all annexation-related code provisions.
During the wholistic review, the proposed ordinances were revised to take into account the adoption of the Unified Development Code and the newly-adopted water extension ordinance. Utilities staff and City staff reviewed the proposed ordinances and made further revisions. The revised ordinances were presented to the Utilities Board Strategic Planning Committee at its meeting in November 2024. The committee recommended that the ordinances be placed on the January 2024 Utilities Board agenda for review and approval. Utilities Board recommended approval of the Chapter 12 changes at its January 2024 meeting. The ordinance changing Chapter 7 was reviewed and recommended for approval by City Planning Commission at its meeting on February 14, 2024.
The proposed changes include changes to the annexation section in Chapter 7, the addition of exceptions to the exclusive provider section in Chapter 12, revisions to the outside city service sections and special contract sections of Chapter 12, and changes to the water extension ordinance that will streamline the approval process for water extensions.
Previous Council Action:
N/A
Financial Implications:
N/A
City Council Appointed Board/Commission/Committee Recommendation:
Utilities recommended approval of the Chapter 12 code changes at its regular meeting on January 17, 2024
City Planning Commission recommended approval of the Chapter 7 changes at its meeting on February 14, 2024
Stakeholder Process:
These ordinances were presented at the Utilities Board Strategic Planning Committee’s August 2023 and November 2023 meetings. They were also presented at the January 17, 2024 Utilities Board meeting and the February 14, 2024 City Planning Commission meeting
Alternatives:
Recommend approval or denial of proposed ordinances or recommend changes to proposed ordinances
Recommended Action
Proposed Motion:
Motion to approve Ordinance No. 24-23 amending Part 3 of Article 4 of Chapter 12 of the Code of the City of Colorado Springs 2001, as amended, pertaining to water service
Summary of Ordinance Language
An ordinance amending City Code sections 12.4.302, 303, 304, and 305, pertaining to water service