Title
Consider/Discuss/Act on an Ordinance Modifying the Landscape Irrigation and Temporary Fire Hydrant Meter Requirements contained in Chapter 110, “Utilities”, of the City of McKinney Code of Ordinances and Amending Appendix A - Schedule of Fees.
Summary
COUNCIL GOAL: Operational Excellence
2E: Continuously provide a high level of customer service to our citizens
Enhance the Quality of Life in McKinney
5E: Develop sustainable quality of life improvements within the City of McKinney
MEETING DATE: June 15, 2021
DEPARTMENT: Public Works Department
CONTACT: Ryan Gillingham, P.E., Director of Public Works
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
• Approve the modifications to Chapter 110, “Utilities”, of the City’s Code of Ordinances.
ITEM SUMMARY:
• The City of McKinney operates and maintains a potable water distribution system. As part of said operation and maintenance, the Public Works Department administers an irrigation permitting and inspection program generally described in Chapter 110, Article X, of the City’s Code of Ordinances. The purpose of this program is to protect the potable water system from health hazards that may occur from backflows and to encourage water conservation.
• In response to changes issued in July 2020 by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) pertaining to Landscape Irrigation, Public Works’ staff are proposing the following updates to the City’s Code of Ordinances for approval:
o A permit is required for reroutes and zone additions to irrigation systems. This allows staff to ensure proper alterations to irrigation systems. The impact to the customer is moderate as the permit will generally be less than $100.
o The revisions include the removal of a Y-strainer device on detector check backflow devices. This will result in a monetary savings to the customer.
o The revisions specify that irrigation trenches be filled with soil free of any objects that could damage the irrigation system and should be compacted to eliminate depressions. This improves installation requirements.
o The revisions include a new rule provided by TCEQ to include language specifying that temporary irrigation systems must be installed by appropriately licensed individuals.
o Updating a number of definitions.
• The City of McKinney allows for temporary hydrant meters for the purposes of supporting development. For water quality and safety purposes, staff recommends updating the backflow device on the hydrant meters to a Reduced Pressure Backflow Assembly (RPZ). This will increase the deposit amount from $1,265 to $1,500. Staff recommends updating Appendix A, Schedule of Fees to reflect this increase.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
• The Public Works Department permits and inspects landscape irrigation systems in accordance with the Chapter 110 of the City’s Code of Ordinances.
• TCEQ provides rulemaking related to municipal landscape irrigation systems and updated these rules in July 2020 necessitating the City revising its own landscape irrigation rules and procedures
• When a city-owned fire hydrant meter is set for temporary uses, a service deposit is required. Currently, the hydrant meter is set with a double check backflow device. In order to increase protection to the City’s potable water system, staff recommends changing this backflow device to a reduced pressure principle assembly (RPZ).
FINANCIAL SUMMARY:
• There is a minimal to moderate impact on the customer due to these ordinance revisions. It is anticipated that the irrigation changes have minimal monetary impact on the customer. The changes do include language that improve definitions in the ordinance to match the TCEQ rules and improve methods used in constructing the irrigation system. The Fire hydrant/construction meter service deposit will be increased. However, this fee is returned to the customer when the meter is returned in good condition.