HomeMy WebLinkAbout03 - Sewer Manhole Frames & CoversCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item No. 3
October 14, 2003
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Utilities Department
Eldon Davidson, Utilities Director,
(949) 718 -3400, edavidson @city.newport - beach.ca.us
SUBJECT: Municipal Code Addition —Sewer Manhole Frames & Covers
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends Council introduce Ordinance No. 2003 - and pass to second
reading on October 28, 2003.
DISCUSSION:
Background:
The Utilities Department Wastewater Division is responsible for maintaining and
cleaning all publicly owned sewer mains throughout the City. In order to access these
mains, staff is required to enter through City -owned manholes. Most of these manholes
are located in street or alley right -of -ways. However, there are approximately 393
manholes that are located in the City's right -of -way easements that are located on
association greenbelts, in the hillsides behind or on the side of homes and in some
cases,in parkways.
In an effort to prevent sanitary sewer overflows (SSO's), staff is required to regularly
inspect and access these manholes for cleaning or maintenance. There have been
occasions where staff are prevented access or questioned by homeowners upon
attempts to access these City -owned facilities. In addition, several manholes have been
covered by landscape or planters in an attempt to beautify the cast iron lids. In the
event of sewer blockages, it is imperative that staff get immediate access to these
manholes to prevent SSO's that escape into the storm drains that lead to the bay or
ocean.
The California Regional Water Quality Control Board recently enacted the Wastewater
Discharge Requirements on all agencies /cities which are responsible for operating a
wastewater collection system. These requirements include Best Management Practices
Municipal Code Addition
Sewer Manhole Frames & Covers
October 14, 2003
Page 2
(BMP's) that are required by each entity in order to prevent SSO's. In the City's
Sanitary Sewer Overflow Emergency Response Plan (SSOERP) it outlines the City's
responsibilities towards the prevention of sewer spills. One major aspect is providing
immediate access to the area where the spill is occurring in order to first contain the
debris and then clear the blockage.
Analysis:
The addition of Section 14.24.120 Sewer Manhole Frames and Covers will require that
all manhole frames and covers be raised to grade so that they are visible for emergency
and daily access. It also restricts anyone from placing anything around or on top off the
manhole cover. All costs associated with the raising of manhole frames and covers will
be at the City's expense. Most homeowners will not be affected by this policy, however
there are a few which will be required to permanently move planters or other forms of
landscape, in order for staff to gain immediate access. Attached to this report are
pictures of some manholes where there could be access problems.
Staff will bring this report back to the Council for the second reading and approval at the
October 28th City Council Meeting.
Environmental Review:
Adoption of this ordinance is exempt from environmental review under Class 7 actions
by regulatory agencies for protection of the environment.
Funding Availability:
Funds related to the raising of manhole frames and lids are available in the Wastewater
Enterprise Fund Maintenance Budget in account 5600 -8188.
Prepared by:
Tim Deutsch
Administrative Manager
Submitted by:
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Eldon Davidson
Utilities Director
Attachments: Proposed Ordinance
Pictures of covered /blocked manholes
ORDINANCE NO. 2003-
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT
BEACH ADDING SECTION 14.24.120 OF THE NEWPORT BEACH
MUNICIPAL CODE PERTAINING TO
SEWER MANHOLE FRAMES AND COVERS
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to provide staff access to all sewer
manhole frames and covers in all City right -of -way areas;
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Newport Beach does
hereby ordain as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 14.24.120 of the Newport Beach Municipal Code is added
to read as follows:
1) All City manhole frames and covers shall be at or above grade at all times.
2) No person shall cover, block, bury or impede access to any City sewer
manhole frame or cover located on City property or within any City
easement or public right of way.
3) Any person violating the provisions of this chapter shall be subject to the
penalties specified in Section 1.04.010 of the Newport Beach Municipal
Code.
SECTION 2. The Mayor shall sign and the City Clerk shall attest to the passage
of this Ordinance. This Ordinance shall be published once in the official
newspaper of the City, and the same shall become effective thirty (30) days after
the date of its adoption.
This Ordinance was adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City
of Newport Beach held on the day of , 2003, by the
following vote:
AYES, COUNCILMEMB
NOES, COUNCILMEMBERS
ABSENT COUNCILMEMBERS
MAYOR
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK
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