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RESOLUTION R-2021-26: A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORMAN, OKLAHOMA, AND THE NORMAN UTILITIES AUTHORITY STATING THE INTENT TO ATTAIN AND MAINTAIN AN EXEMPTION OF THE STATE CONSTRUCTION PERMIT FOR WASTEWATER MAINS TWELVE-INCHES OR LESS IN DIAMETER AND THE INTENT TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE EXEMPTION.
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BACKGROUND: In accordance with current regulations for the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ), all water and sanitary sewer line extensions must obtain a construction permit from the ODEQ before any construction can begin on these extensions. The ODEQ review period can vary depending on the number of submittals but the process typically will take 30 - 60 days for receipt of the ODEQ construction permit.
Within the current regulations, the ODEQ does allow for municipalities that employ licensed professional engineers as part of their staff to obtain a municipal exemption authorizing the municipality to self-permit water and sanitary sewer line extensions for lines that are 12-inch and smaller. Currently within the state, the City of Oklahoma City and the City of Tulsa have applied for and have received the municipal exemption and currently self-permit these small diameter water and sanitary sewer line extensions.
In 2019, Management Partners reviewed the development process for the City and recommended improvements to help the City expedite the process. One recommendation was for the City to obtain the municipal exemption to allow for self-permitting of water and sanitary sewer lines to reduce the approval time required for these plans.
On June 22, 2020, the Utilities Department submitted applications to apply for the municipal exemption for water and sanitary sewer line extensions (12-inch and smaller). Included within the applications were this resolution along with draft Ordinance 2021-5 and draft Resolution 2021-27 for water for the ODEQ’s review.
DISCUSSION: As part of the requirement for the exemption, this resolution confirms the commitment of the City to attain the permit exemption, comply with ongoing requirements for submittals to the ODEQ, and retain sufficient staff engineers and inspection staff.
The Utilities Department currently has three licensed professional engineers (one Utilities Engineer and two Capital Projects Engineers) budgeted. This staff level will allow the Utilities Department to effectively review development plans and self-permit these plans in accordance with City and ODEQ requirements. To date, staff is already reviewing plans to ensure there is sufficient sanitary sewer capacity available and to ensure the construction will meet City and ODEQ requirements and will facilitate operation and maintenance by City staff. Additionally, the City has staff performing the inspection of sanitary sewer main construction to ensure compliance with City and ODEQ requirements.
Staff will submit plans and the reduced fees to the ODEQ on a monthly basis. However, construction will be able to proceed based on the approval by the City and is not held up by the submittal to the ODEQ.
Recommendation: Staff recommends the approval of Resolution 2021-26.