[HISTORY: Adopted by the Council of the Town
of Mount Airy 7-10-2006 by Ord.
No. 2006-6. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Amended 4-1-2019 by Ord.
No. 2019-2]
There is hereby created the Water and Sewer Commission of the
Town of Mount Airy, which shall consist of seven members, all of whom
shall be residents of the Town and include one member of the Town
Council who shall count toward quorum at Commission meetings and shall
vote on Commission decisions in cases of tie votes. Each member, except
for the Council member who shall serve concurrent with his or her
term of office, is to serve for four years or until his or her successor
takes office, except that the terms of members first appointed are
staggered such that the first person appointed serves for one year,
the second appointed for two years, the third appointed for three
years, the fourth appointed for four years, the fifth appointed for
one year and the sixth appointed for two years or until their successors
are appointed. All appointments, including those required by any vacancies,
shall be made by the Mayor with the approval of the Council.
The members will elect a Chairman of the Commission
in their first meeting and agree upon other officers as they deem
necessary. Officer elections will be held every year in the July meeting.
Four members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum. The members
of the Commission shall not be entitled to compensation for their
services but may be reimbursed for actual expenses necessarily incurred
in the performance of their duties, provided that funds for such reimbursement
shall have been authorized in the budget of the Town.
A.
The Water and Sewer Commission, in consultation with
appropriate staff, will monitor and report on water and sewer systems'
demand and capacity and make recommendations for actions by Town staff,
the Mayor and Town Council to ensure that citizens have access to
essential services without restriction to the greatest degree possible
even under adverse weather conditions. Specifically, the Commission
shall study, investigate and make recommendations to the Council on
the following:
(1)
Review means of enhancing the Town's water supply,
specifically including strategies to enhance the groundwater supply
but optionally including surface water in combination with groundwater.
(2)
Consider incentives and strategies for commercial
and residential conservation.
(3)
Draft plans for addressing future drought emergencies
which will focus on shared sacrifice, predictability and flexibility.
(4)
In consultation with staff, recommend water allocations
(MDE permits) required before future development can be approved.
B.
The Commission shall regularly review and make recommendations
upon water and sewer usage rates and overall development fees, including
but not limited to water and sewer connection fees, annual assessment
fees, water and sewer service fees, impact fees, and temporary surcharges
to pay for principal and interest on loans for new water sources or
to upgrade or expand water and wastewater treatment facilities.
C.
The Commission shall undertake such other studies,
programs and recommendations as may be requested from time to time
by the Town Council.
The Water and Sewer Commission will present
a timely annual report on actual usage during the previous year ending
December 31 and projected usage and capacities for each of the ensuing
five years and for 10 years in the future. The projections will include,
at a minimum, average-year and worst-case-year scenarios. Specific
subjects of the report should include the following:
A.
Annually updated plan to meet the specific water needs
of all existing residents and businesses, both normal and peak time
use, as well as reserves as recommended by the state for normal and
drought years considering specific water needs of infill development
and approved development that is yet to be built.
No expenditures may be made by the Water and
Sewer Commission except to the extent authorized in the annual budget
of the Town or as may otherwise be lawfully approved in advance by
the Council of the Town of Mount Airy.
