A. Purpose: The purpose of this chapter is:
1. To decrease drainage related damage to public and private property;
2. To preserve and lessen the burden on and costs of improving and enlarging the sanitary sewer system;
3. To facilitate making land in the city developable;
4. To minimize adverse impacts on property owners adjacent to developing and developed land from increased runoff;
5. To preserve and enhance the aesthetic quality of the waters;
6. To maintain and protect valuable groundwater resources;
7. To minimize adverse effects of alterations on groundwater quantities, locations and flow patterns;
8. To ensure the safety of public roads and rights of way;
9. To promote sound development policies and construction procedures to preserve the historic, natural or constructed watercourses; and
10. To minimize water quality degradation and control the sedimentation of rivers, streams, ponds, lakes and other water bodies.
B. Necessity: The city presently owns and operates a sanitary sewer system for the collection and disposal of sewerage and into which storm and other surface waters are being discharged (the "sanitary sewer system"). The sanitary sewer system is frequently infiltrated by storm and ground water, which has caused significant stresses on the sanitary sewer system. In addition, storm and ground water has caused damage to public infrastructure and facilities and created difficulties for businesses and residences, including health hazards. Owing in part to strain placed on the capacity and treatment capabilities of the sanitary sewer system by water events, subdivision and development of property in the city has halted. This council has caused various studies to be conducted and, based thereon and on an investigation of facts and circumstances relating to the sanitary sewer system (including developing state and federal policies concerning the collection and disposal of sewage and storm and surface waters), has determined that it is necessary and desirable to establish rules and regulations relating to stormwater and drainage and construct improvements for the collection and disposal of storm and surface waters separate and distinct from the sanitary sewer system.
C. Authority: The city is authorized by title 7, chapters 7 and 13, parts 42, 43, and 44, Montana Code Annotated, to construct, better, improve and extend a stormwater system and issue revenue bonds to finance in whole or part the costs thereof. The city is further authorized and required by title 7, chapter 7, parts 42 and 43 and title 69, chapter 7, part 1, Montana Code Annotated, to establish just and equitable rates, fees and charges and rentals for the services and facilities provided by a stormwater system so as to make a stormwater drainage system self- supporting. (Ord. 827, 8-22-2016, eff. 9-21-2016)