HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 7691 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 7691
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To the Mayor and Members of the City Council Afamh 2, 1993
Subject:
Proposed Revision to Procedure for Septic System
Improvements on Lake Worth Leases
On Lake Worth, there are approximately 580 improved residential leases which are
managed by Real Property Management in the Engineering Department. Most of
these leases do not have any on-site public water or sewer service.
On January 1, 1988, the Texas Department of Health issued new construction
standards for on-site sewer facilities which require that individual septic systems be
installed on lots more than one acre(, if a well is used as a water supply, and one-half
acre if a public water supply is available. The majority of the Lake Worth leases are
located on less than one acre of land, and when on-site systems fail the City has
allowed the lessees to install without additional fees, new lateral lines under the road
into a common area owned by the City. Normally the additional area required by the
State to install the new lateral lines would be added to the leases by a "Modification
of Lease." and the lease payment would be increased accordingly.
Currently, the City's Building Code allows the above procedure only if an
Encroachment Agreement is approved by City Council. A $300 fee and a $500,000
liability insurance policy for such agreements is currently required. Since the City
of Fort Worth owns the land and the lessee owns only the improvements, the City
staff is requesting a waiver of the City's regulations and recommends adoption of two
new license agreements.
These agreements would pertain only to the Lake Worth Lessees. The proposed
license agreements will eliminate the$300 fee and$500,000 liability insurance policy,
but will require meeting all other provisions of the City's building and plumbing
codes and those of the Texas Department of Health. The City staff recommends the
following additional requirements for the new license agreements:
1. Indemnification - The lessee shall indemnify the City for all construction,
operation, maintenance, and removal of the septic system.
2. Independent Contractor - Lessee shall act at all times as an independent
contractor.
3. No sublease or assignment - The license(s) shall run with the lease and may
not, under any circumstances, be sublet or assigned independent of the lease.
4. No reimbursement - Under no circumstances will the lease Lever be entitled
to reimbursement for the septic system within the license E rOFFICIAL RECORD
COY SECRETARY
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FT. WORTH, TEL
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ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 7691
.'.61TEA'd 2
VORT To the Mayor and Members of the City Council March = 1993
Page 2 of 2
V-4
Subject: Proposed Revision to Procedure for Septic System
Improvements on Lake Worth Leases
5. When a public sewer system is available for connection within the distance
prescribed by law (currently 100 feet - City Ordinance Section 35-135) lessee
shall be required to connect to the public sewer and either remove or
appropriately abandon the septic system.
6. The primary purpose of these properties is for public use, and should these
public uses require any future development, all actions required to maintain
or alter the septic system shall be accomplished by lessee at his sole cost and
expense.
7. The City shall at all reasonable times have the right to inspect the entire
septic system.
8. To avert an immediate hazard to the health, safety or welfare by any person
caused by the septic system, the City has the right to take any and all
corrective actions the City deems necessary, without notice if necessary, and
lessee shall be solely responsible for all costs involved.
9. Each lateral line and field shall serve only one residence. Under no
circumstances shall any line be used for multiple residences or for commercial
purposes.
10. Lessee shall provide a survey showing the exact location of the proposed lateral
line under the roadway and the location of the septic field prior to construction.
These locations are subject to approval by the City.
11. Any violation of the license agreement may immediately, and without any prior
notice to lessee, terminate the license agreement.
12. The permit process will include appropriate safeguards to properly protect the
public interest and to provide assurances that use of the common area does not
adversely restrict any surface use.
The staff recommends that the City Council review, comment and modify if desired
this proposed policy. The staff is prepared to present the appropriate ordinance
formalizing these provisions.
ORAL RECORD
CITY SECRETARY 1,
WORTH, TEX-J
Bob Terrell
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS