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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Mark Phipps, Engineering Coordinator
DATE: June 15, 2020
SUBJECT:
A resolution authorizing the execution of an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Aurora and the Fox Metro Water Reclamation District regarding the performance of water connection inspections.
PURPOSE:
To update an existing Intergovernmental Agreement.
BACKGROUND:
The City and Fox Metro Water Reclamation District (Fox Metro) first entered into an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) for water connection inspections in 1998 in order to prevent duplication of service, reduce costs, streamline service, and utilize personnel effectively. Since Fox Metro inspects sewer service connections for new development and redevelopment within the City limits, and since many sites with a new sewer service connection also have a new water service connection that requires inspection, the City benefits from Fox Metro's licensed plumber inspecting both service connections at the same time.
DISCUSSION:
The fee per inspection the City pays Fox Metro for water connection inspections has only increased by $5.00 since 1998. The updated IGA would increase the fee from $20.00 per inspection to $30.00 per inspection and allows the fee per inspection to increase by $5.00 after every 5 years. The updated IGA would also expand Fox Metro's scope of services to include the inspection of repairs to water service connections and fire hydrant leads.
The Illinois Plumbing Code requires inspection by a licensed plumber for the installation and repair of water service connections and fire hydrant leads. Since the licensed plumbers in the Division of Building and Permits are working at capacity, the alternative to updating this IGA would be hiring plumbing contractors for these inspections. For comparison purposes, the Water & Sewer Maintenance Division received bids in October 2019 for on-call plumbing services and the hourly rates ranged between $120.00 and $160.00. It is unlikely that plumbing contractors could consistently complete 4-5 inspections per hour, so the plumbing contractors' fees are likely to be higher than Fox Metro's. In addition, the IGA with Fox Metro avoids a potential conflict of interest with plumbing contractors inspecting their competitor's work.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
The current fee per water service inspection for Fox Metro will increase. The fee for these inspections will be part of the fees charged to permit applicants and staff will establish an offsetting revenue account.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff recommends authorizing the execution of the updated IGA with Fox Metro.
cc: Rules, Administration and Procedures Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution authorizing the execution of an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Aurora and the Fox Metro Water Reclamation District regarding the performance of water connection inspections.
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the 1970 Illinois Constitution (Article VII, Section 10) and 5-ILCS 1992 Sec. 220/1-220/9 provide authority for intergovernmental cooperation and intergovernmental agreements; and
WHEREAS, as part of the sanitary sewer service connection process, the Fox Metro Water Reclamation District has performed inspections for over forty (40) years in an ongoing effort to assure quality work within the boundaries of the District, thereby protecting property owners and the District, and
WHEREAS, currently, on behalf of the City, the District is performing inspections of potable water service connections at the same locations, on the same date and time. Therefore, to prevent duplication of service, reduce costs, streamline services and utilize personnel effectively it is in the best interest of the parties hereto to provide for an inspection program by District to City.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: said Council authorizes the execution of the Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Aurora and the Fox Metro Water Reclamation District for the performance of water connection inspections as set forth in Exhibit A.