A. Definitions: For the purpose of this section, the following words and terms shall have the meanings set forth in this subsection:
CITY: The city of Albertville, Wright County, Minnesota.
MUNICIPAL WATER CONNECTION: The act of connecting any property or structure to city municipal water system such that said property or structure is able to draw water from the municipal water system.
MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT: A geographical division of property within the city providing the basis for the municipal water trunk access charge.
MUNICIPAL WATER SYSTEM: Any part of the network of municipal water connections and pipes located within the city of Albertville, including water trunk lines and lateral water lines.
MUNICIPAL WATER TRUNK ACCESS CHARGE: A charge imposed by the city for connection to the city's trunk water line within a given municipal water district.
OWNER: An individual or entity holding legal or equitable title to property within the city of Albertville.
B. Municipal Water Districts: The city hereby establishes a municipal water district over all property within the city borders.
C. Access Charge Imposed; Exemptions: Municipal water trunk access charges shall be imposed on all land within each municipal water district so as to reimburse the costs associated with the installation of trunk water lines, water mains and other necessary water distribution facilities. The city council may, by resolution, exempt from the municipal water trunk access charge those lands within each municipal water district which are already connected to the city municipal water or which have been previously assessed for the costs of the installation of municipal water trunk facilities. No connection shall be made to the city municipal water system serving the property of any person or occupants of the land, parcel or premises upon which municipal water trunk access charges remain unpaid. (Ord. 2004-24, 12-20-2004, eff. 1-1-2005)
D. Amount Of Charge: The municipal water trunk access charge, as established in section 3-1-3 of this code, shall be collected per gross acre of land which is subdivided or connected to the water system. (Ord. 2017-01, 1-3-2017)
E. Method Of Calculating Charge: The municipal water trunk access charge shall be based on the gross area of land on the plat or other property being subdivided, including all outlots. The city council shall have the power to change the basis on which such charges are calculated.
F. Time Of Payment:
1. All trunk access charges shall be paid to the city at the earlier of:
a. Final plat approval for any plat in which a new municipal water connection is required for any property in such plat which is located within a municipal water district; or
b. Issuance of a building permit by the city for which a new municipal water connection is required within a municipal water district.
2. No final plat approval or building permits shall be issued prior to payment of the trunk access charges unless other arrangements for the payment of the municipal water trunk access charge are made and approved by the city.
3. Payment shall be in cash or by check acceptable to the city clerk and/or administrator.
G. Use Of Charges: The city may establish one or more trunk water funds and may credit all trunk access charges to such funds. Such funds may, as determined by council resolution, be used to offset costs incurred in the installation of existing or future water lines, or any debt service incurred in the past or to be incurred in the future to finance the municipal water expansions, improvements, or any combination of the above.
H. Provisions Not Limiting: This section in no way precludes the city council from adopting additional ordinances imposing other water related charges in lieu of assessments, or other such ordinances relating to area or service charges with regard to the municipal water system, nor does this section preclude the city from assessing to property owners the costs related to the installation of water lines, trunk mains, laterals and other water related facilities installed by the city. Nothing contained in this section shall act to revoke any existing water access charges. (Ord. 2004-24, 12-20-2004, eff. 1-1-2005)