COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Department of Public Works

DATE:

June 5, 2002

BOARD MEETING DATE:

June 25, 2002

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Neil R. Cullen, Director of Public Works

SUBJECT:

Amendment to Agreements for the Transmission, Treatment and Disposal of Sewage from the Town of Woodside's Town Center Sewer Assessment District

Recommendation

Acting as the Governing Board of the Fair Oaks Sewer Maintenance District (FOSMD), adopt a resolution authorizing the President of the Board, after the required fees have been paid by either the Town or the property owners, to execute amendments to agreements with:

1.

The Town of Woodside for the transmission of sanitary sewage from the Town of Woodside's Town Center Sewer Assessment District (TCSAD) through FOSMD's facilities, to facilities operated by the City of Redwood City; and

2.

The Town of Woodside and the City of Redwood City for Transmission, treatment and disposal of sewage from the TCSAD by the City of Redwood City;

in order to allow two properties with failing septic systems to receive sanitary sewer service.

Previous Board Action

1.

Authorized the two agreements referenced above on August 7, 2001.

2.

Adopted a minimum miscellaneous fee of $150 for services provided by the sewer districts to property owners not within the district.

Key Facts

1.

Two properties, located at 179 Albion Avenue and 239 Miramontes Road within the Town of Woodside, have failing septic systems and are outside of the TCSAD sewer area.

2.

The two TCSAD agreements need to be amended if sewer service is to be provided to these two properties.

3.

The Town of Woodside has requested that the TCSAD agreements be amended in order that sewer service can be provided.

Discussion

The properties at 179 Albion and 239 Miramontes are adjacent to the TCSAD sewer area boundary but were not included in the original TCSAD area. The properties' septic systems are failing and the Town has confirmed that there is insufficient room on the properties to rebuild the septic systems to meet current standards. The original agreements allow for amendments and staff believes the proposed amendments are justified given the circumstances.

Vision Alignment

We believe our recommendation is consistent with the Shared Commitment of "ensure basic health and safety for all", and Goal Number 7, "maintain and enhance the public safety of all residents and visitors", as failing septic systems are a public health concern and amending the agreements provides for effective sanitary sewer service to these parcels which are located in a suburban area.

Fiscal Impact

The terms of the original agreement provided that FOSMD shall receive a connection fee of $1,126 per parcel and an annual amount equal to one-third (1/3) of the FOSMD's annual Sewer Service Charge, currently $207 per year. We are also recommending a miscellaneous fee of $150 per property, as provided by the County Ordinance, be paid to FOSMD to cover the staff time involved in reviewing the application, preparing the staff report and developing the amendments to the agreements.

We are also recommending that the fees be paid prior to the President of the Board executing the amendments on behalf of FOSMD. There is no impact to the General Fund.

A form of resolution and amendment have been reviewed and approved by County Counsel and the Woodside Town Council has adopted a resolution authorizing the Town Manager to execute amendments to the agreements with Redwood City and with FOSMD if the amendments are approved by your Board and the City of Redwood City.