Title
Ordinance No. 24-08 Exercising City Council’s Legislative Authority Regarding the Extension of Water Service and Outside City Water and/or Wastewater Service to the Park Vista Subdivisions
Presenter:
Bryan English, PMP, Development Projects Manager, Customer Utilities Connections
Travas Deal, Chief Executive Officer, Colorado Springs Utilities
Body
Summary:
The process for presenting and approving outside-City water and wastewater service requests in the Park Vista enclaves is inefficient, expends considerable staff time and effort, delays property owner’s ability to connect and prolongs health and safety risks. At the request of Utilities Board Chair, Springs Utilities staff is bringing forward a proposed ordinance that would delegate authority to Springs Utilities CEO to enter into Agreements to Annex for outside City water and wastewater service residential properties in the Park Vista Subdivisions that would create a more efficient and timely process for approving requests.
Background:
Springs Utilities periodically receives requests for outside-City water and wastewater service in Park Vista enclaves, with the number of requests recently increasing. City Code 7.5.701.J. permits water and wastewater service without annexation subject to execution of an Agreement to Annex and City Council approval. Additionally, City Code 12.4.305, which stipulates provisions for extending water service to any area located outside City limits, requires Utilities Board to make a recommendation of approval and City Council approval. Park Vista properties are primarily single-family residences that would have a de minimis impact on the City’s water supply. Many Park Vista properties already receive Springs Utilities water, and some receive Springs Utilities wastewater service, all through prior City Council approval of Agreements to Annex or prior City Council action.
Previous Council Action:
In 2016, City Council approved Resolution No. 106-16, authorizing the Executive Director of Colorado Springs Utilities to execute agreements providing water service and/or wastewater service for single-family residential uses to land located outside the city limits of the City of Colorado Springs and agreement to annex for properties located in the Park Vista Estates and Park Vista Addition Subdivisions. This resolution was superseded in 2023 with the approval of Resolution No. 23-02, which was codified as City Code 12.4.305, pertaining to the extension of water service outside City limits. Approval of the proposed ordinance would effectively restore the approval authority established by the 2016 resolution (106-16).
Financial Implications:
Revenue and costs would be nominal.
City Council Appointed Board/Commission/Committee Recommendation:
N/A
Stakeholder Process:
Springs Utilities staff has worked with City Attorney’s Office - Utilities Division to draft the proposed Ordinance and Utilities Board made a recommendation of approval on January 17, 2024.
Alternatives:
(1) Approve the Ordinance Exercising City Council’s Legislative Authority Regarding the Extension of Water Service and Outside City Water and/or Wastewater Service to the Park Vista Subdivisions; (2) not approve the Ordinance.
Recommended Action
Proposed Motion:
Approve Ordinance No. 24-08 Exercising City Council’s Legislative Authority Regarding the Extension of Water Service and Outside City Water and/or Wastewater Service to the Park Vista Subdivisions
Summary of Ordinance Language
Ordinance exercising City Council’s legislative discretion allowing water and/or wastewater service to be extended to single-family residential properties in the Park Vista subdivisions, which are enclaves, per City Code § § 7.5.701(J) and 12.4.305.