CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
title
AN ORDINANCE relating to drainage services of Seattle Public Utilities; adjusting drainage rates to pass through changes to treatment rates charged by King County; amending Section 21.33.030 of the Seattle Municipal Code to reflect the adjusted rates; and amending Section 21.76.040 of the Seattle Municipal Code to adjust credits to low-income drainage customers.
body
WHEREAS, Resolution 31760, adopted on November 13, 2017, adopted the 2018-2023 Strategic Business Plan Update for Seattle Public Utilities, which guides utility investments, service levels, and rate paths through 2023; and
WHEREAS, Seattle Public Utilities’ drainage rates are based on the sum of the treatment rate and system rate and are designed to pass through the drainage share of the rates King County charges for its wastewater treatment services as part of the treatment rate applicable to drainage services; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 125686 established drainage rates for 2019 through 2021 based on the then current King County wastewater treatment charge of $45.33; and
WHEREAS, King County Council adopted a new wastewater treatment rate of $47.37 per residential customer equivalent per month effective January 1, 2021, which is an increase of 4.5 percent over the existing treatment rate; and
WHEREAS, the increase in King County treatment rates will increase drainage treatment expense; and
WHEREAS, quarantine measures to combat the COVID-19 pandemic have lowered Seattle Public Utilities’ utilization of treatment services; and
WHEREAS, lower utilization of treatment services is expected to have a larger effect on drainage treatment costs than the increase in the King County treatment rate; and
WHEREAS Seattle Public Utilities expects that adopted 2021 drainage rates are higher than what is necessary to pay for drainage treatment expense, taxes on treatment revenue, discounts to low-income customers, and stormwater facility incentive program credits; and
WHEREAS, subsection 21.33.030.D.1 of the Seattle Municipal Code allows drainage treatment rates to be adjusted by ordinance at any time in response to changes in the King County wastewater rates; and
WHEREAS, drainage credits for qualified low-income customers, not billed directly by Seattle Public Utilities, are based on typical residential bills, and credits for such customers need to be revised to reflect the changes in the drainage rates; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Subsection 21.33.030.D of the Seattle Municipal Code, which section was last amended by Ordinance 125686, is amended as follows:
21.33.030 Drainage service charges and drainage rates - Schedule - Exemptions
* * *
D. Drainage rates used in the calculation of drainage service charges shall be the sum of the treatment rate and the system rate, as follows:
1. Treatment rate. The "treatment rate" shall be the rate required to pay the drainage share of "treatment cost" which is the cost of wastewater treatment, interception and disposal service, and any associated costs necessary to meet Drainage and Wastewater Fund policies. The treatment rate shall be the amount obtained when (a) the projected drainage treatment cost for each rate category is divided by (b) the projected number of billing units in each rate category and the result is multiplied by ((118)) 117.4 percent to cover the costs of taxes, low income rate assistance, and other allowances. The projected treatment cost shall be the treatment cost anticipated for the upcoming calendar year, which may include an adjustment to reflect the difference, whether positive or negative, between the drainage share of expected total treatment cost for the current year and the total drainage service charge revenues attributable to the treatment rate expected for the current year. The treatment rate is designed to pass through cost changes driven by King County and may be adjusted by ordinance at any time in response to such charges.
2. System rate. The "system rate" shall be the rate required to fund the expense associated with operating, maintaining, and constructing the City's surface and stormwater management system, including any share of combined sanitary and stormwater system expense assigned to drainage.
3. The rate categories and the corresponding annual drainage rates are as follows:
((Effective January 1, 2018
|
Rate Category |
Treatment Rate |
System Rate |
Total Drainage Rate |
Billing Unit |
|
Small Residential |
|
|
Under 2,000 sq. ft. |
$13.75 |
$145.93 |
$159.68 |
per parcel |
|
|
2,000-2,999 sq. ft. |
$20.90 |
$238.78 |
$259.68 |
per parcel |
|
|
3,000-4,999 sq. ft. |
$30.38 |
$325.77 |
$356.15 |
per parcel |
|
|
5,000-6,999 sq. ft. |
$41.43 |
$439.43 |
$480.86 |
per parcel |
|
|
7,000-9,999 sq. ft. |
$52.33 |
$551.57 |
$603.90 |
per parcel |
|
General Service/Large Residential |
|
Undeveloped (0-15% impervious) |
|
|
Regular |
$3.39 |
$35.39 |
$38.78 |
per 1,000 sq. ft. |
|
|
Low Impact |
$1.99 |
$21.07 |
$23.06 |
per 1,000 sq. ft. |
|
Light (16-35% impervious) |
|
|
Regular |
$5.20 |
$54.04 |
$59.24 |
per 1,000 sq. ft. |
|
|
Low Impact |
$4.09 |
$42.65 |
$46.74 |
per 1,000 sq. ft. |
|
Moderate (36-65% impervious) |
|
|
Regular |
$7.52 |
$77.93 |
$85.45 |
per 1,000 sq. ft. |
|
|
Low Impact |
$6.09 |
$63.19 |
$69.28 |
per 1,000 sq. ft. |
|
Heavy (66-85% impervious) |
$9.92 |
$102.65 |
$112.57 |
per 1,000 sq. ft. |
|
Very Heavy (86-100% impervious) |
$11.89 |
$122.96 |
$134.85 |
per 1,000 sq. ft. |
Effective January 1, 2019
|
Rate Category |
Treatment Rate |
System Rate |
Total Drainage Rate |
Billing Unit |
|
Small Residential |
|
|
Under 2,000 sq. ft. |
$12.71 |
$157.10 |
$169.81 |
per parcel |
|
|
2,000-2,999 sq. ft. |
$21.98 |
$254.53 |
$276.51 |
per parcel |
|
|
3,000-4,999 sq. ft. |
$30.32 |
$353.11 |
$383.43 |
per parcel |
|
|
5,000-6,999 sq. ft. |
$41.27 |
$475.45 |
$516.72 |
per parcel |
|
|
7,000-9,999 sq. ft. |
$52.43 |
$600.18 |
$652.61 |
per parcel |
|
General Service/Large Residential |
|
Undeveloped (0-15% impervious) |
|
|
Regular |
$3.45 |
$39.17 |
$42.62 |
per 1,000 sq. ft. |
|
|
Low Impact |
$2.03 |
$23.33 |
$25.36 |
per 1,000 sq. ft. |
|
Light (16-35% impervious) |
|
|
Regular |
$5.18 |
$58.46 |
$63.64 |
per 1,000 sq. ft. |
|
|
Low Impact |
$4.05 |
$45.80 |
$49.85 |
per 1,000 sq. ft. |
|
Moderate (36-65% impervious) |
|
|
Regular |
$7.39 |
$83.19 |
$90.58 |
per 1,000 sq. ft. |
|
|
Low Impact |
$5.97 |
$67.34 |
$73.31 |
per 1,000 sq. ft. |
|
Heavy (66-85% impervious) |
$9.80 |
$110.06 |
$119.86 |
per 1,000 sq. ft. |
|
Very Heavy (86-100% impervious) |
$11.70 |
$131.40 |
$143.10 |
per 1,000 sq. ft.)) |
Effective January 1, 2020
|
Rate Category |
Treatment Rate |
System Rate |
Total Drainage Rate |
Billing Unit |
|
Small Residential |
|
|
Under 2,000 sq. ft. |
$12.88 |
$170.59 |
$183.47 |
per parcel |
|
|
2,000-2,999 sq. ft. |
$22.29 |
$276.46 |
$298.75 |
per parcel |
|
|
3,000-4,999 sq. ft. |
$30.74 |
$383.52 |
$414.26 |
per parcel |
|
|
5,000-6,999 sq. ft. |
$41.85 |
$516.42 |
$558.27 |
per parcel |
|
|
7,000-9,999 sq. ft. |
$53.16 |
$651.93 |
$705.09 |
per parcel |
|
General Service/Large Residential |
|
Undeveloped (0-15% impervious) |
|
|
Regular |
$3.50 |
$42.55 |
$46.05 |
per 1,000 sq. ft. |
|
|
Low Impact |
$2.06 |
$25.34 |
$27.40 |
per 1,000 sq. ft. |
|
Light (16-35% impervious) |
|
|
Regular |
$5.25 |
$63.50 |
$68.75 |
per 1,000 sq. ft. |
|
|
Low Impact |
$4.10 |
$49.75 |
$53.85 |
per 1,000 sq. ft. |
|
Moderate (36-65% impervious) |
|
|
Regular |
$7.49 |
$90.37 |
$97.86 |
per 1,000 sq. ft. |
|
|
Low Impact |
$6.06 |
$73.15 |
$79.21 |
per 1,000 sq. ft. |
|
Heavy (66-85% impervious) |
$9.93 |
$119.57 |
$129.50 |
per 1,000 sq. ft. |
|
Very Heavy (86-100% impervious) |
$11.87 |
$142.73 |
$154.60 |
per 1,000 sq. ft. |
((Effective January 1, 2021
|
Rate Category |
Treatment Rate |
System Rate |
Total Drainage Rate |
Billing Unit |
|
Small Residential |
|
|
Under 2,000 sq. ft. |
$12.88 |
$184.60 |
$197.48 |
per parcel |
|
|
2,000-2,999 sq. ft. |
$22.29 |
$299.22 |
$321.51 |
per parcel |
|
|
3,000-4,999 sq. ft. |
$30.74 |
$415.09 |
$445.83 |
per parcel |
|
|
5,000-6,999 sq. ft. |
$41.85 |
$558.94 |
$600.79 |
per parcel |
|
|
7,000-9,999 sq. ft. |
$53.16 |
$705.60 |
$758.76 |
per parcel |
|
General Service/Large Residential |
|
Undeveloped (0-15% impervious) |
|
|
Regular |
$3.50 |
$46.05 |
$49.55 |
per 1,000 sq. ft. |
|
|
Low Impact |
$2.06 |
$27.43 |
$29.49 |
per 1,000 sq. ft. |
|
Light (16-35% impervious) |
|
|
Regular |
$5.25 |
$68.73 |
$73.98 |
per 1,000 sq. ft. |
|
|
Low Impact |
$4.10 |
$53.85 |
$57.95 |
per 1,000 sq. ft. |
|
Moderate (36-65% impervious) |
|
|
Regular |
$7.49 |
$97.81 |
$105.30 |
per 1,000 sq. ft. |
|
|
Low Impact |
$6.06 |
$79.18 |
$85.24 |
per 1,000 sq. ft. |
|
Heavy (66-85% impervious) |
$9.93 |
$129.42 |
$139.35 |
per 1,000 sq. ft. |
|
Very Heavy (86-100% impervious) |
$11.87 |
$154.49 |
$166.36 |
per 1,000 sq. ft.)) |
Effective January 1, 2021
|
Rate Category |
Treatment Rate |
System Rate |
Total Drainage Rate |
Billing Unit |
|
Small Residential |
|
|
Under 2,000 sq. ft. |
$10.97 |
$184.60 |
$195.57 |
per parcel |
|
|
2,000-2,999 sq. ft. |
$21.36 |
$299.22 |
$320.58 |
per parcel |
|
|
3,000-4,999 sq. ft. |
$30.16 |
$415.09 |
$445.25 |
per parcel |
|
|
5,000-6,999 sq. ft. |
$41.00 |
$558.94 |
$599.94 |
per parcel |
|
|
7,000-9,999 sq. ft. |
$52.09 |
$705.60 |
$757.69 |
per parcel |
|
General Service/Large Residential |
|
Undeveloped (0-15% impervious) |
|
|
Regular |
$3.44 |
$46.05 |
$49.49 |
per 1,000 sq. ft. |
|
|
Low Impact |
$2.02 |
$27.43 |
$29.45 |
per 1,000 sq. ft. |
|
Light (16-35% impervious) |
|
|
Regular |
$5.19 |
$68.73 |
$73.92 |
per 1,000 sq. ft. |
|
|
Low Impact |
$4.02 |
$53.85 |
$57.87 |
per 1,000 sq. ft. |
|
Moderate (36-65% impervious) |
|
|
Regular |
$7.34 |
$97.81 |
$105.15 |
per 1,000 sq. ft. |
|
|
Low Impact |
$5.82 |
$79.18 |
$85.00 |
per 1,000 sq. ft. |
|
Heavy (66-85% impervious) |
$9.75 |
$129.42 |
$139.17 |
per 1,000 sq. ft. |
|
Very Heavy (86-100% impervious) |
$11.62 |
$154.49 |
$165.81 |
per 1,000 sq. ft. |
4. SPU shall provide a ten percent reduction in the drainage service charge for parcels containing new or remodeled commercial buildings that, after July 27, 2003, install and utilize rainwater harvesting systems that meet the performance requirement that the systems are sized to use the amount of rain that falls on the roofs of such buildings during a one year, 24-hour storm event. A system that involves indoor uses of rainwater must be permitted by Seattle-King County Department of Health to qualify for the rate reduction. A system that relies solely on the capture and indoor use of rainwater shall qualify for the drainage service charge reduction only if the system is sized to meet the performance requirement stated above. Qualifying for the drainage service charge reduction does not relieve the property owner from the obligation to comply with applicable stormwater and drainage code requirements for the buildings and site.
5. Effective November 7, 2008, open space properties or parcels shall be charged only for the area of impervious surface and at the rate under which the parcel is classified using the total parcel acreage.
* * *
Section 3. Subsection 21.76.040.A of the Seattle Municipal Code, which section was last amended by Ordinance 125985, is amended as follows:
21.76.040 Rate discounts
A. Drainage, wastewater, and water. Certified low-income residential utility customers ("Certified customers") will receive rate discounts (or credits) in the following amounts:
1. Wastewater. Certified customers billed directly for Seattle Public Utilities wastewater services will receive a rate discount equal to 0.5 times the total current wastewater volume charge. Certified customers who pay for wastewater services indirectly through rent shall receive the following rate credits based on dwelling type and consistent with Section 21.76.050:
|
Effective date |
Single-family and duplex dwellings |
Multifamily dwellings |
|
January 1, 2018 |
$28.94 per month |
$20.20 per month |
|
January 1, 2019 |
$31.13 per month |
$21.72 per month |
|
January 1, 2020 |
$33.43 per month |
$23.32 per month |
|
January 1, 2021 |
$34.96 per month |
$24.39 per month |
At the time of a change to the wastewater volume charge described in Section 21.28.040, the Director of Seattle Public Utilities shall calculate new credits for certified customers who pay for wastewater services indirectly through rent. The rate credit for single-family and duplex customers shall be 0.5 times the wastewater volume charge multiplied by 430 cubic feet (4.3 CCF), which is typical single-family residential sewer billed consumption. The rate credit for multifamily dwelling customers shall be 0.5 times the wastewater volume charge multiplied by 3.0 CCF, which is typical multifamily sewer billed consumption.
2. Drainage. Certified customers residing inside The City of Seattle shall receive the following rate credits for drainage services based on dwelling type:
|
((Effective Date |
Single-Family |
Duplex |
Multifamily |
|
January 1, 2018 |
$20.03 per month |
$10.02 per month |
$2.14 per month |
|
January 1, 2019 |
$21.53 per month |
$10.77 per month |
$2.30 per month |
|
January 1, 2020 |
$23.24 per month |
$11.62 per month |
$2.49 per month |
|
January 1, 2021 |
$25.02 per month |
$12.51 per month |
$2.68 per month)) |
|
Effective Date |
Single-Family |
Duplex |
Multifamily |
|
January 1, 2020 |
$23.24 per month |
$11.62 per month |
$2.49 per month |
|
January 1, 2021 |
$25.00 per month |
$12.50 per month |
$2.68 per month |
3. Water. Certified customers billed directly for Seattle Public Utilities water services shall receive a rate discount equal to 0.5 times the total current commodity and base service charges. Certified customers who pay for water services indirectly through their rent shall receive the following rate credits based on dwelling type and consistent with Section 21.76.050:
|
Effective Date |
Single-family and duplex dwellings |
Multifamily dwellings |
|
January 1, 2017 |
$20.56 per month |
$12.38 per month |
|
January 1, 2018 |
$21.15 per month |
$12.38 per month |
|
January 1, 2019 |
$21.86 per month |
$12.38 per month |
|
January 1, 2020 |
$22.85 per month |
$12.50 per month |
* * *
Section 4. This ordinance does not affect any existing right acquired or liability or obligation incurred under the sections amended or repealed in this ordinance or under any rule or order adopted under those sections, nor does it affect any proceeding instituted under those sections.
Section 5. The provisions of this ordinance are declared to be separate and severable. The invalidity of any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section, or portion of this ordinance, or the invalidity of its application to any person or circumstance, does not affect the validity of the remainder of this ordinance or the validity of its application to other persons or circumstances.
Section 6. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force 30 days after its approval by the Mayor, but if not approved and returned by the Mayor within ten days after presentation, it shall take effect as provided by Seattle Municipal Code Section 1.04.020.
Passed by the City Council the ________ day of _________________________, 2020, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its passage this _____ day of _________________________, 2020.
____________________________________
President ____________ of the City Council
Approved by me this ________ day of _________________________, 2020.
____________________________________
Jenny A. Durkan, Mayor
Filed by me this ________ day of _________________________, 2020.
____________________________________
Monica Martinez Simmons, City Clerk
(Seal)