(A) Compliance with this subchapter. In addition to the requirements of this subchapter, compliance with all applicable ordinances of the city as well as with applicable federal, state, and other local statutes and regulations shall also be required. Unless otherwise stated, all other specifications referred to in this subchapter shall be the most recent edition available. Violations of the requirements of this subchapter are subject to the penalties listed below.
(B) Penalties for violations.
(1) Any person found in violation of any provision of this subchapter shall be responsible for a civil infraction and subject to a maximum fine of $2,500 for a first offense, and a maximum of $7,500 for a subsequent offense, plus costs, damages, expenses, and fines levied by regulatory agencies. Each day such violation occurs or continues shall be deemed a separate offense and shall make the violator liable for the imposition of a fine for each day. The rights and remedies provided for in this section are cumulative and in addition to any other remedies provided by law. An admission or determination of responsibility shall not exempt the offender from compliance with the requirements of this subchapter.
(2) Any person who aids or abets a person in a violation of this subchapter shall be subject to the penalties provided in this section.
(3) For purposes of this section, SUBSEQUENT OFFENSE means a violation of the provisions of this subchapter committed by the same person within 12 months of a previous violation of the same provision of this subchapter for which said person admitted responsibility or was adjudicated to be responsible.
(C) Stop work order.
(1) In addition to or independent of the penalties listed above, if land disturbance or impact activities are conducted contrary to the provisions of this subchapter or accepted final stormwater management plans, the city may order the work stopped by notice, in writing, served on any person engaged in the doing or causing of such work to be done, and any such persons shall forthwith stop such work until authorized by the city to proceed with the work. The city may also undertake or cause to be undertaken, any necessary or advisable protective measures to prevent violations of this subchapter or to avoid or reduce the effects of noncompliance herewith. The cost of any such protective measures shall be the responsibility of the owner of the property upon which the work is being done and the responsibility of any person carrying out or participating in the work.
(2) Any person who neglects or fails to comply with a stop work order shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not more than $2,500 for a first violation of the subchapter and $7,500 for a second or subsequent violation of the subchapter, and such person shall also pay such costs as may be imposed at the discretion of the court. A permit reinstatement fee may be assessed by the city.
(D) Failure to comply or complete. In addition to any other remedies, should any owner fail to comply with the provisions of this subchapter, the city may, after giving notice and opportunity for compliance, have the necessary work done, and the owner shall be required to promptly reimburse the city for all costs of such work.
(E) Suspension of access to the storm drain system.
(1) Suspension due to emergency situations. The city may, without prior notice, suspend stormwater drainage system discharge access to a person when such suspension is necessary to stop an actual or threatened discharge which presents or may present imminent and substantial danger to the environment, or to the health or welfare of persons, or to the stormwater drainage system or waters of the United States. If the violator fails to comply with a suspension order issued in an emergency, the city may take such steps as deemed necessary to prevent or minimize damage to the stormwater drainage system or waters of the United States, or to minimize danger to persons.
(2) Suspension due to the detection of illicit discharge. Any person discharging to the stormwater drainage system in violation of this subchapter may have their stormwater drainage system access terminated if such termination would abate or reduce an illicit discharge. The city will notify a violator of the proposed termination of its MS4 access. The violator may petition the Board for a reconsideration and hearing.
(F) Corrective action. Nothing herein contained shall prevent the city from taking such other lawful action as may be necessary to prevent or remedy any violation. All costs connected therewith shall accrue to the person or persons responsible. Costs include, but are not limited to, repairs to the stormwater drainage system made necessary by the violation, as well as those penalties levied by the EPA or IDEM for violation of the city NPDES permit, attorney’s fees, and other costs and expenses.
(G) Appeals. Any person to whom any provision of this subchapter has been applied may appeal, in writing, not later than 30 days after the action or decision being appealed from, to the Board the action or decision whereby any such provision was so applied. Such appeal shall identify the matter being appealed, and the basis for the appeal. The Board shall consider the appeal and make a decision whereby it affirms, rejects, or modifies the action being appealed. In considering any such appeal, the Board may consider the recommendations of the City Engineer and the comments of other persons having knowledge of the matter. In considering any such appeal, the Board may grant a variance from the terms of this subchapter to provide relief, in whole or in part, from the action being appealed, but only upon finding that the following requirements are satisfied:
(1) The application of the subchapter provisions being appealed will present or cause practical difficulties for a development or development site; provided, however, that practical difficulties shall not include the need for the developer to incur additional reasonable expenses in order to comply with the subchapter; and
(2) The granting of the relief requested will not substantially prevent the goals and purposes of this subchapter, nor result in less effective management of stormwater runoff.
(Ord. 2006-13, passed 10-26-2006; Ord. 2019-25, passed on 5-13-2020)