Public Utilities

Section 700 - Franchises

700.01 - Various franchises unaffected

The following franchise ordinances of the city, as they existed on January 1, 1996, are made a part of this code as if fully set forth herein:

  1. Ordinance no. 78, granting a franchise to Northern States power Company.
  2. Ordinance no. 106, granting a franchise to Leonard Communications, Inc.
  3. Ordinance no. 1991-2, granting a franchise to Minnegasco, Inc.

The ordinances listed above, being franchises to various public utilities and other service providers, were unaffected by the adoption of this code and are on file, as originally adopted, in the office of the city clerk-treasurer. Nothing in this section is to be construed as modifying, amending or abridging any term or condition of the franchise described in this section.

Section 705 - Private Drains

705.01 - Prohibit storm water disposal into the sanitary sewer system

Subdivision 1 - Definition

The terms defined in this subsection have the meanings given them.

  1. “Cistern” means a structural receptacle located in basements, or above, or below the ground in which drain or other waters are stored for which persons have domestic or other uses.
  2. “Roof drains” means a device, through, or pipe that collects or gathers waters produced by rains or melted snows and ice on the roofs of buildings or structures.
  3. “Basement drains” means and includes catch basins, drain pipes, tiles or other similar devices laid in, under around , or outside a basement or foundation of structures, to collect, carry and prevent, surface, seeping or percolating waters, away and from the foundation or out of the basement of any such buildings or structures: the term does not include a drain whose purpose is to merely drain sanitary sewage.
  4. “Sump pump” means a pump or device used to pump water.
  5. “Yard drain” means a surface water inlet pipe to the sanitary sewer.

Subd. 2 - Prohibited water

It is unlawful to drain cistern waters, or the drainage from yard drains, roof drains, basement drains, or sump pumps into the sanitary sewer system in the city.

Subd. 3 - Non-conforming connections to be disconnected

Cisterns, roof drains, basement drains, and sump pumps connected to the sanitary sewer system must be disconnected.

Subd. 4 - Sump pump and rigid pipe required

A sump pump and rigid pipe connection to the outside is required for all new buildings in the city when it is necessary to protect against basement water problems. The requirement for sump pump and rigid pipe applies to all structures in the city.

Subd. 5 - Installation

If the council determines that a sump pump and discharge are required, the pump and discharge are to be installed as follows:

  1. The building must have a drain tile placed around the inside perimeter of the foundation connected to a sump pump.
  2. Building and drain tiles placed around the outside perimeter of foundation must be brought to the inside of the foundation and connected to a sump pump.
  3. A discharge pipe must be installed to the outside wall of the building with rigid pipe (plastic, copper, galvanized or black pipe) one inch inside diameter minimum with the union or other couplings for easy disconnection for repair and replacement. The discharge must extend at least five feet outside the foundation wall with a hose connection.

Subd. 6 - Violations

Each day that a violation of this section is permitted to exist constitutes a separate offense. (See 115 – Penalties)

Section 710 - Wastewater Service Charges

710.01 - Purpose

For the purpose of providing funds

  1. to meet the costs of operating and maintaining the city wastewater facilities;
  2. for additional improvements such as expansion and extension of wastewater facilities; and
  3. for the payment of principal and interest which may be due on general obligation bonds sold for the purpose of providing finances for construction of wastewater treatment facilities, there is imposed upon each lot, parcel of land, building or premises having any connection with the public wastewater system of the city, or otherwise discharging wastewater, industrial wastes, water or other liquids directly or indirectly into public wastewater system of the city, the wastewater service set forth in this section.

710.03 - Rates and charges

The contributors to the wastewater collected by the city must pay the rates and charges set by appendix I.

710.05 - Charges billed with water statement

The clerk-treasurer must compute the amount due to the city for wastewater service charges and render a statement thereof monthly at the same time and on the same bill with the city water statement to the owner or occupant of any premises served by the wastewater system. The statement is due and payable within ten days after statement is issued. Failure to pay within the ten days results in a penalty fixed by appendix I being added to the charges.

710.07 - Creation of wastewater service fund

Money received from the wastewater service charge or surcharge must be deposited in a separate fund to be known as the “wastewater service fund.” The money so received must be recorded and paid only for purposes set forth in subsection 710.01.

710.09 - Right to shut off water

In case of failure of prompt payment of the rates and charges herein provided, the city may shut off the water after ten days’ written notice to the owner or occupant, or both, and opportunity to be heard before the council.

710.11 - Lien against property

Charges levied by and pursuant to this section are made a lien upon the corresponding lot, land, or premises served by a connection to the wastewater systems as provided in Minnesota Statutes, section 444.075. Charges that are on September 30th, of each year more than 30 days past due and that have been properly billed to the owner, occupant, or lessee of the premises served, will be certified by the clerk-treasurer to the county auditor between the first and the 10th day of October of each year. The clerk-treasurer in so certifying charges to the county auditor must specify the amount thereof. The amount so certified will be extended by the auditor on the tax rolls against such premises in the manner as other taxes, and collected by the county treasurer, along with other taxes.

710.13 - Charges recoverable in civil suit

Charges levied pursuant to this section that have been properly billed to the account of any premises served but not paid may be recovered in a civil action by the city in any court of competent jurisdiction.

Section 715 – Water Service Charges

The consumers of water furnished by the city must pay the rates and charges set by appendix I.

715.01 - Charges

The clerk-treasurer must compute the amount due the city for water provided to the consumer and render a statement thereof monthly to the owner or occupant of the premises served by the water system. The statement is due and payable within ten days after the statement is issued. Failure to pay within the ten days results in a penalty fixed by appendix I being added to the charges.

715.05 - Right to shut off water

In case of failure of prompt payment of the rates and charges herein provided, the city may shut off the water after written notice to the owner or occupant, or both, and hearing and opportunity to be heard.

715.07 - Lien against property

Each charge levied by and pursuant to this section is a lien upon the corresponding lot, land, or premises served by a connection to the sewer system of the city provided in Minnesota Statutes, section 444.075. Charges on September 30th of each year more than 30 days past due that have been properly billed to the owner, occupant, or lessee of the premises served, will be certified by the clerk-treasurer to the county auditor between the first and 10th days of October of each year. The clerk-treasurer in so certifying the charges to county auditor must specify the amount thereof, the description of the premises served and the name of the owner thereof. The amount so certified will be extended by the auditor on the tax rolls against such premises in the manner as other taxes, and collected by the county treasurer, and paid to the clerk-treasurer, along with other taxes.

715.09 - Charges recoverable in civil suit

Charges levied by this section that have been properly billed to the account of any premises served, but not paid, may be recovered in a civil action by the city in any court of competent jurisdiction.

715.11 - Meters

All connections to the water system must be metered. The city will supply meters for connection up to ¾ inches. Meter costs over ¾ inches must be paid for by the user. Services requiring meters of 1.5 inches or greater must have a compound meter installed.

City of Freeport, MN

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