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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSewer_Service_Extension_Annexation_Agreement SEWER SERVICE EXTENSION AND ANNEXATION AGREEMENT THIS AGREEMENT is entered into effective February 17, 2015, by and between the City of Chico (“City”) and the Butte Local Agency Formation Commission (“LAFCo”), collectively referred to sometimes hereinafter as “The Parties”. RECITALS WHEREAS, Government Code Section 56133 requires LAFCo approval for all extensions of service by the City outside its boundaries (hereinafter referred to as “Service Extensions”); and WHEREAS, the City has connected 62 or more properties outside City boundaries to its sewer system without obtaining LAFCO approval in violation of Government Code §56133. The list of the known non-compliant properties is attached as Exhibit A hereto. The properties are hereinafter referred to as “Non-Compliant Properties”; and WHEREAS, LAFCo has requested that the City take action to correct the violations; and WHEREAS, many of the violations occurred within unincorporated islands, and peninsulas which are of concern to LAFCo as they create fragmented City and County boundaries, inefficient service delivery patterns and the selective provision of municipal services with its related governance and environmental justice concerns; and WHEREAS, the City is experiencing severe fiscal issues that make it more difficult for the City to fund the necessary applications and commit to annexing existing developed areas and provide services commensurate with other City residents; and WHEREAS, LAFCo and the City desire to implement a program to correct the violations of §56133 and eliminate or reduce unincorporated islands, in a manner that accommodates the City’s fiscal constraints; NOW THEREFORE, the Parties desire to enter into this Sewer Service Extension and Annexation Agreement on the following terms and conditions: ARTICLE 1 ANNEXATION OF CHAPMAN AND MULBERRY ISLANDS Section 1.01 City Agreement to Initiate Annexations of Chapman and Mulberry Islands SEWER SERVICE EXTENSION AND ANNEXATION AGREEMENT Butte LAFCo and City of Chico Page 2 of 16 City agrees to adopt a Resolution of Application to Annex the Chapman and Mulberry Islands (delineated in Exhibits B-1, B-1(a) and B-2, B-2(a) and hereinafter referred to as the “Islands”) using the island annexation provisions of G.C. §56375.3 and submit an adequate application to LAFCo for the annexations, including appropriate environmental documentation. The Resolution shall be adopted and application made to LAFCo not later than April 30, 2015. The City further agrees to cooperate as needed in the processing of the applications and to not oppose the annexation of the Islands. Section 1.02 Payment of LAFCo Fees for Islands Annexations City will pay all of LAFCo charges required for the processing of the annexation application for the Islands but in the following manner: (a) City shall pay LAFCo $5,000 as an initial payment towards the total costs for processing the applications with a cap of $20,000 per application for staff time, processing expenses and materials. (b) The balance shall be deferred and paid in three equal annual installments on the first day of July commencing July 1, 2015 as described in the payment schedule attached as Exhibit C hereto. (c) City shall submit complete application including indemnification for all legal challenges associated with application and its approval. The indemnification agreement shall include, along with the normal provisions 1) that the cap on application costs shall not limit the City’s obligation for indemnification and 2) that the indemnification obligation shall remain in effect to cover any challenge to the annexation, regardless of when filed. Section 1.03 Deferral of Completion of the Annexation. (a) In order to give the City time to prepare for the provision of services to the Islands, LAFCo agrees that LAFCo shall include, as a condition of approval of the annexation, that the Certificate of Completion for each island and filing of the annexation with the State Board of Equalization shall be deferred and not recorded until 5 years from the date of the Commission hearing and approval of the annexations. Prior to the above time limits for filing the Certificate of Completion, the City may request that LAFCO immediately record the Certificate of Completion. Any such accelerated annexation would require the immediate payment of any outstanding LAFCO charges remaining due. (b) The parties understand that the recording of the Certificate of Completion of the annexation and filing with the State Board of Equalization shall complete the annexation and transfer service responsibilities to the City. The City shall be responsible for all fees associated with the filing with the State Board of Equalization upon the recording of the Certificate of Completion. (c) During the period prior to the recording of the Certificate of Completion, the City may connect any other properties within the Islands to City sewer that are otherwise eligible for extension of services under Section 3.04 below without the necessity of obtaining LAFCo approval for such connections. Section 1.04 Correction of Existing Violations. Upon City compliance with the provisions of this article and agreement, LAFCo shall consider the existing Non-Compliant Properties within the Islands to be corrected and compliant. SEWER SERVICE EXTENSION AND ANNEXATION AGREEMENT Butte LAFCo and City of Chico Page 3 of 16 Article II. CORRECTION OF NON-COMPLIANT CONNECTIONS OUTSIDE OF THE ISLANDS Section 2.01 Application for After-The Fact Approval of Non-Compliant Connections (a) City shall within 90 days of the effective date of the Agreement, make a single comprehensive application, to LAFCo for after-the-fact approval of the connections to Non-Compliant Properties, other than those located within the Islands. (b) The City will comply with the informational requirements of LAFCo for such applications. (c) For any such properties that are contiguous to the City boundaries, the City may file and LAFCo will process annexation applications, but City is not required to initiate annexation. The City shall make all reasonable effort to obtain the consent of the property owner so that the annexation will be with landowner consent. (d) LAFCo and the City shall work together to seek execution and recording of LAFCo Consent to Annexation and Covenant (Covenant) forms by each property owner who received a non-compliant connection. LAFCo shall prepare the Covenant request letter to be co-signed by the City and mail request letter to affected landowners. Both LAFCo and the City shall provide notary services to affected landowners in order to facilitate the completion of the Covenants. Section 2.02 Payment of Investigative and Processing Costs to LAFCo (a) City agrees to reimburse LAFCo for its staff time expended in determining and identifying the non- compliant connections made without compliance with §56133 in the amount of $17,606. (b) City agrees to pay the processing costs for LAFCo processing of approval for a single comprehensive application for non-compliant connections based on actual costs but not to exceed $10,000 and each elective annexation per LAFCo adopted fee and deposit schedule. (c) The City shall pay LAFCo the $17,606 for staff investigative time within 30 days of execution of this agreement and $5,000 towards the fees and charges set forth in (b) above within 90 days of execution of this agreement. The balance shall be deferred and paid in three equal installments on the first day of July of each year, commencing July 1, 2015. Article III. PROCEDURE FOR NEW SEWER SERVICE EXTENSIONS Section 3.01 City Agreement to Comply The City agrees that no further sewer service extensions will be made to properties outside City boundaries without obtaining prior LAFCo approval in accordance with this agreement and State law excepting those parcels located within the Islands as described in Section 1.03(c) of this Agreement. City promises to train SEWER SERVICE EXTENSION AND ANNEXATION AGREEMENT Butte LAFCo and City of Chico Page 4 of 16 and monitor its staff to assure implementation of this commitment. Section 3.02 Notification of LAFCO. Upon receiving a completed City sewer service extension application/request from a parcel owner seeking extension of sewer services the City shall immediately transmit electronically, a copy of the completed City sewer service application to LAFCO for consistency review with the Agreement and for the purpose of determining the appropriate procedure for LAFCo consideration of the extension. Section 3.03 LAFCo Processing of Connection Application (a) LAFCo staff shall review the city application to determine whether it meets the necessary criteria for extension of services set forth in Section 3.04 below. (b) Within 10 days of receipt of such sewer service city application, LAFCo staff will advise the City by email whether to apply for LAFCo approval of the out-of-agency sewer service extension agreement or annexation of the property. If service extension approval is permitted under this Agreement, LAFCo will also advise the City to get the landowner(s) notarized signature on the LAFCO Consent to Annexation and Covenant (Covenant) form. (c) Within 7 days after notification that the property is eligible for service extension approval, the City shall make application to LAFCo for such sewer service extension approval, together with the appropriate fee and executed Covenant. (d) LAFCo will process the application promptly and place approval on the Commission agenda for approval at the next available meeting. LAFCo will promptly notify the City of Commission action on the application. (e) City shall not allow connection of the property to its sewer system until it receives written notification from LAFCo that the application has been approved by LAFCo. (f) Emergency Extensions. Nothing herein is intended to limit emergency extension of services where there is a documented imminent threat to public health and safety. Only a failed septic system for an inhabited property, as documented by the County Health Department or other party as deemed appropriate by the LAFCO Executive Officer shall qualify as an emergency entitled to immediate connection and after-the fact approval by LAFCo. The City shall immediately follow up with application to LAFCo for approval of any such emergency connections in the manner required by LAFCo’s emergency connection approval policy. Section 3.04 Eligibility Criteria for Extension Only properties that meet the following criteria shall be eligible for approval by LAFCo of an out-of agency extension of services: (a) Limited to Developed Parcels. Only developed parcels utilizing on-site sewage disposal systems (septic systems) prior to the date of execution of this Agreement are eligible for municipal sewer connections. There shall be only one sewer connection per abandoned septic system for a single EDU (equivalent single family dwelling unit flow). (b) Undeveloped Parcels Not Eligible. Undeveloped unincorporated parcels will not be eligible for out SEWER SERVICE EXTENSION AND ANNEXATION AGREEMENT Butte LAFCo and City of Chico Page 5 of 16 of agency connection approval. Undeveloped parcel owners seeking sewer service connections from the City would be directed by the City to submit an application for annexation. (c) Expansions of Existing Uses Limited. Any new or additional development on already developed parcels that involves a change in use or intensity of use and would require the payment of new City of Chico sewer connection fees for additional EDU’s would not be allowed to connect under the provisions of the Agreement. Parcel owners seeking sewer service connections from the City are to be directed by City to contact LAFCo staff. LAFCo staff would then review the situation and recommend that the City either submit an individual extension of services request or initiate an annexation, depending on the circumstances. Section 3.05 Sewer Service Connection Defined. The term “sewer service extension” or “connection” as used in this agreement shall mean a physical connection to the City sewer system of one single family equivalent dwelling unit (EDU) and the corresponding abandonment of the existing on-site sewage disposal system under permit from the Butte County Environmental Health Division. Article IV. Annexation of Extension Areas Receiving Sewer Services Section 4.01 Future Annexation of Sewered Areas All requested sewer extensions other than those located within the Islands as described in Article I or included in the Non-Compliant sewer connections addressed in Article II will be processed on an individual basis, subject to current LAFCo policies and fees. The City and LAFCo will periodically review approved sewer extensions outside of the Islands and agree to develop a plan and program to proceed with the orderly annexation of all other areas into which the City has or plans to extend sewer services. Annexation proceedings may be commenced by the City or by individual landowner petition over time with an overall goal of eventually annexing all areas in which the City is extending sewer services to establish logical boundaries and service delivery. Article V. GENERAL PROVISIONS Section 5.01 Term of Agreement This Agreement shall remain in effect for 10 years and shall automatically renew thereafter for a further 10 year term unless either party notifies the other in writing of their intent to terminate not less than 120 days prior to the expiration of the term. SEWER SERVICE EXTENSION AND ANNEXATION AGREEMENT Butte LAFCo and City of Chico Page 6 of 16 Section 5.02 Problem Resolution Procedure Should a problem arise with respect to implementation or performance of this agreement, the parties agree to meet as necessary to resolve the problem. If the parties cannot agree then either party, by written notice to the others, may require a formal mediation of the matter. The parties shall agree on a neutral mediator who shall facilitate the mediation, with the cost shared equally between the parties. At a minimum, the chair of LAFCo and the Mayor shall participate in the mediation. The mediation shall be held as soon as reasonably possible. If the mediation is unsuccessful, either party may proceed to enforce their legal remedies. Section 5.03 Remedies for Breach (a) Agreement Specifically Performable. The parties agree that the terms of this agreement may be specifically enforced by order of an appropriate court ordering the performance by a party of any obligation hereunder. (b) Attorney's Fees. In the event of controversy, claim or dispute between the parties hereto arising out of or relating to this agreement or the breach thereof the prevailing party shall be entitled in addition to such other relief as may be granted a reasonable sum as and for attorney's fees and litigation expenses which shall be determined by the Court. (c) Interest. Should any payment required by this agreement not be made as provided in this agreement, the obligor shall be obligated to pay interest at the rate of ten percent (10%) per annum on the amount until paid, in addition to the principal. Section 5.04 Notices. Unless otherwise expressly specified herein, any notice which any party may or is required to give shall be given by personal service, email, facsimile transmission or by depositing such notice with the U.S. Postal Service, postage prepaid, to such other parties. If delivered by email, the email shall be transmitted during business hours to the email address listed below each party's signature or at such other address as may be designated by the party in writing from time to time. However, such email shall not be considered delivered, unless there is confirmation of receipt. If delivered by fax, the fax shall be transmitted during business hours to the fax number listed below each party's signature or at such other number as may be designated by the party in writing from time to time. If delivered by mail, the mail shall be sent to the mailing address given below each party's signature, or at such other place as may be designated by the party in writing from time to time. Notice shall be effective upon the date of personal delivery, email, or fax transmission, or 3 days after date of mailing. Section 5.05 Implied Obligations. LAFCo and the City shall reasonably cooperate to achieve the purposes of this agreement, and shall execute or provide as requested such other documents and information as are reasonably necessary to achieve those purposes. Section 5.06 Construction. SEWER SERVICE EXTENSION AND ANNEXATION AGREEMENT Butte LAFCo and City of Chico Page 7 of 16 When the context of any provision requires it, the singular shall be held to include the plural, and the masculine shall be held to include the feminine gender. Should any provisions of this agreement require judicial interpretation, it is understood by the parties and agreed that a Court interpreting or construing same shall not apply a presumption that the terms hereof shall be more strictly construed against one party by reason of the rule of construction that the document is to be construed more strictly against the party who prepared it since the parties agree that both have participated in the preparation of this document Section 5.07 Authority to Sign and Binding Effect The parties executing this agreement personally warrant that they have full authority from their legislative body to enter into this agreement on behalf of the agency for which they are signing, and that said agency will be legally bound to the agreement by their signature hereto. THE PARTIES EXPRESSLY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY ARE MAKING LONG TERM LEGALLY ENFORCEABLE COMMITMENTS BY THIS AGREEMENT THAT WILL BIND FUTURE COMMISSIONS AND COUNCILS. Section 5.08 Counterparts This Agreement may be executed in counterpart and shall become effective upon the signatures of the City and LAFCo to signature pages hereto. SEWER SERVICE EXTENSION AND ANNEXATION AGREEMENT Butte LAFCo and City of Chico Page 9 of 16 EXHIBITS: A. List of Non-Compliant Properties B-1. Chapman Island Map B-1(a) Chapman Island Parcel List B-2. Mulberry Island B-2(a) Mulberry Island Parcel List C. Payment Schedule SEWER SERVICE EXTENSION AND ANNEXATION AGREEMENT Butte LAFCo and City of Chico Page 10 of 16 Exhibit A List of Non-Compliant Properties APN Situs Address Year APN Situs Address Year 043-251-004 631 OAK LAWN AVE 2003 007-220-021 2855 GODMAN AVE 2009 005-395-010 1323 BOUCHER ST 2003 042-390-037 1014 MEIER DR 2009 005-471-004 2216 MULBERRY ST 2003 005-466-002 2116 ELM ST 2009 005-471-020 2234 MULBERRY ST 2003 005-472-019 2245 MULBERRY ST 2009 005-472-017 2265 MULBERRY ST 2003 007-150-079 959 MORT LN 2010 005-473-016 556 E 23RD ST 2003 007-150-087 974 MORT LN 2010 005-472-012 2296 LAUREL ST 2004 007-200-097 20 MAYFAIR DR 2010 007-220-014 564 E LASSEN AVE 2005 007-200-111 795 CAPRICE WAY 2010 043-251-003 703 OAK LAWN AVE 2005 007-220-024 2819 GODMAN AVE 2010 043-252-013 630 OAK LAWN AVE 2005 007-320-002 940 E LASSEN AVE 2010 005-473-005 2244 ELM ST 2005 007-320-004 2846 JOLYN WAY 2010 042-600-011 2417 GUYNN AVE 2006 007-320-018 830 ALYNN WAY 2010 043-260-004 1217 W SACRAMENTO AVE 2006 007-320-026 2824 MORSEMAN AVE 2010 005-472-001 2201 MULBERRY ST 2006 043-251-002 711 OAK LAWN AVE 2010 005-465-002 497 E 21ST ST 2007 005-408-003 1440 BOUCHER ST 2010 005-473-004 2240 ELM ST 2007 005-610-003 557 E 23RD ST 2010 005-473-008 568 E 23RD ST 2007 005-465-018 2185 MULBERRY ST 2011 043-252-014 704 OAK LAWN AVE 2008 005-472-003 2204 LAUREL ST 2011 005-472-011 2222 LAUREL ST 2008 007-320-003 2842 JOLYN WAY 2012 007-200-030 660 MORGAN DR 2009 005-370-014 1121 BRUCE ST 2012 007-200-032 13 MAYFAIR DR 2009 005-381-009 1256 BRUCE ST 2012 007-200-040 668 MORGAN DR 2009 005-386-002 979 WISCONSIN ST 2012 007-200-052 668 VILLA DR 2009 005-386-017 963 WISCONSIN ST 2012 007-200-056 667 MORGAN DR 2009 005-396-003 796 COLORADO ST 2012 007-200-059 657 VILLA DR 2009 005-397-010 1316 JACKSON ST 2012 007-200-060 657 MORGAN DR 2009 005-402-004 1362 MARTIN ST 2012 007-200-061 669 VILLA DR 2009 005-403-006 854 VIRGINIA ST 2012 007-200-062 663 VILLA DR 2009 005-409-016 758 CLEVELAND AVE 2012 007-200-068 662 VILLA DR 2009 005-411-016 1353 JACKSON ST 2012 007-200-069 656 VILLA DR 2009 005-421-031 952 E 16TH ST 2012 007-200-077 2914 GODMAN AVE 2009 005-413-007 1355 GUILL ST 2013 SEWER SERVICE EXTENSION AND ANNEXATION AGREEMENT Butte LAFCo and City of Chico Page 11 of 16 Exhibit B-1 Chapman Island Territory SEWER SERVICE EXTENSION AND ANNEXATION AGREEMENT Butte LAFCo and City of Chico Page 12 of 16 Exhibit B-1(a) Chapman Island Parcel List SEWER SERVICE EXTENSION AND ANNEXATION AGREEMENT Butte LAFCo and City of Chico Page 13 of 16 Exhibit B-1(a) Chapman Island Parcel List (cont'd) SEWER SERVICE EXTENSION AND ANNEXATION AGREEMENT Butte LAFCo and City of Chico Page 14 of 16 Exhibit B-2 Mulberry Island Map SEWER SERVICE EXTENSION AND ANNEXATION AGREEMENT Butte LAFCo and City of Chico Page 15 of 16 Exhibit B-2(a) Mulberry Island Parcel List SEWER SERVICE EXTENSION AND ANNEXATION AGREEMENT Butte LAFCo and City of Chico Page 16 of 16 Exhibit C Payment Schedule Chapman Island Annexation April 30, 2015: City shall pay LAFCo $5,000 as an initial payment towards the total costs for processing the Chapman Island annexation application with a cap of $20,000 per application for staff time, processing expenses and materials. The balance shall be deferred and paid in three equal annual installments on the first day of July commencing July 1, 2015. July 1, 2015: City shall pay LAFCO the 1st installment of remaining balance. July 1, 2016: City shall pay LAFCO the 2nd installment of remaining balance. July 1, 2017: City shall pay LAFCO the 3rd and final installment of remaining balance. TBD 2019: The City is responsible to pay all fees required by the State Board of Equalization to complete the jurisdictional change upon the date of recordation Mulberry Island Annexation April 30, 2015: City shall pay LAFCo $5,000 as an initial payment towards the total costs for processing the Chapman Island annexation application with a cap of $20,000 per application for staff time, processing expenses and materials. The balance shall be deferred and paid in three equal annual installments on the first day of July commencing July 1, 2015 July 1, 2015: City shall pay LAFCO the 1st installment of remaining balance. July 1, 2016: City shall pay LAFCO the 2nd installment of remaining balance. July 1, 2017: City shall pay LAFCO the 3rd and final installment of remaining balance. TBD 2019: The City is responsible to pay all fees required by the State Board of Equalization to complete the jurisdictional change upon the date of recordation Payment of Investigative and Processing Costs to LAFCO for Non-Compliant Parcels Within 30 days of Agreement Execution, the City shall pay LAFCO $17,606 for work performed investigating and identifying the Non-Compliant Parcels. Within 90 days of Agreement Execution, the City shall pay LAFCO $5,000 as an initial payment towards the total costs for application processing with a cap of $10,000 for staff time, processing expenses and materials. The balance shall be deferred and paid in three equal annual installments on the first day of July commencing July 1, 2015 July 1, 2015: City shall pay LAFCO the 1st installment of remaining balance. July 1, 2016: City shall pay LAFCO the 2nd installment of remaining balance. July 1, 2017: City shall pay LAFCO the 3rd and final installment of remaining balance.