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AI# 10261
Regular City Council Meeting
6.3.
12/14/2021:
Information
Agenda Item
Ordinance 2nd Reading - Engineering:
Consider Ordinance No. 2021-O0168, amending Chapter 22 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Lubbock, Texas, amending Articles 22.03 "Water Generally" and 22.04 "Wastewater System", in order to allow for certain utility contractors to tap certain City of Lubbock utility mains for water and sewer.
Item Summary
On December 7, 2021, the City Council approved the first reading of the ordinance.
Currently, the City of Lubbock provides water and wastewater service connections for homeowners and businesses as provided for in Chapter 22 of the Code of Ordinances. Due to workloads in Public Works, Engineering has contracts with two construction companies that are utilized on an ‘on-call’ basis to perform the installations as requested by customers. As part of this effort, Engineering staff prepare a cost estimate for the construction services which becomes a fixed price for the customer. When field conditions require additional services, this increased cost to the City cannot be passed on to the customer.
This is not an efficient system. By allowing the customer to work directly with the contractor to negotiate a reasonable price, and to hold the contractor accountable for timely service, the customer will have more control over the installation process.
Safeguards to the process will be implemented to assist the customer and to ensure the safety of the water and wastewater systems. Current Engineering Standards provide construction details. A simple contract for the installation will be available to the customer as well as assistance in locating and preparing a map showing the main and surrounding utilities.
Engineering will maintain a list of acceptable contractors to perform the work based on Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Operator Standards. Engineering will also provide limited inspection service to confirm proper installation of the service taps. The new process would still require a permit to work within the Right-of-Way, as is currently done for all utilities working within the Right-of-Way. Public Works staff will continue to set meters at the completion of the water service tap construction.
Fiscal Impact
The reduction of tap revenues will be offset by the savings in construction costs currently incurred for the taps. The City’s liability is reduced when construction costs exceed the estimated costs.
Staff/Board Recommending
Jesica McEachern, Assistant City Manager
Attachments
Water and Sewer Tap Ordinance
Water and Sewer Tap Mains (c) Redline
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