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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPDS-020-22Staff Report If this information is required in an alternate accessible format, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator at 905-623-3379 ext. 2131. Report To: Planning and Development Committee Date of Meeting: April 25, 2022 Report Number: PDS-020-22 Submitted By: Ryan Windle, Director of Planning and Development Services Reviewed By: Mary-Anne Dempster, CAO By-law Number: File Number: Report Subject: Agreement for Small Sewer Systems Inspection by Durham Region Health Department Recommendation: 1.That Report PDS-020-22, and any related delegations or communication items, be received for information. 2.That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute, on behalf of the Corporation of the Municipality of Clarington, an agreement with the Regional Municipality of Durham, allowing for the ongoing administration of the Building Code Act and the Ontario Building Code, as it relates to the enforcement of small capacity sewage systems; 3.That a copy of Report PDS-020-22, Council's resolution, and the by-law be forwarded to the Regional Municipality of Durham. Municipality of Clarington Page 2 Report PDS-020-22 Report Overview This report requests Council’s authorization to execute an agreement with the Regional Municipality of Durham for the administration of the Building Code Act and the Ontario Building Code, as it relates to the enforcement of small capacity sewage system. This agreement has been in place between the Regional Municipality of Durham and the Municipality of Clarington since April, 2010 and is merely the formal continuation of a partnership that has been working well for 12 years. 1. Background 1.1 Since April 2010, the Municipality of Clarington has entered into four agreements, for the periods of April 26, 2010 to March 31, 2013, April 1, 2013 to March 31, 2016, April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2019, and April 1, 2019 to March 31, 2022 , with the Region of Durham Health Department for the purpose of delegating to the Region the responsibility for the administration and enforcement of small capacity sewage systems (up to 10,000 litres per day) in the Municipality of Clarington. The current agreement was valid for a period of three years and expired on March 31, 2022. 1.2 During the past twelve years, our arrangement with the Region of Durham has worked well for the Municipality and it is for this reason that staff would like to continue to delegate the responsibility of administration and enforcement with respect to small sewage systems, to the Region of Durham for an additional period of three years. 2. Review and Comment 2.1 The Durham Region Health Department has drafted an agreement (Attachment 1) which will allow them to continue the enforcement of small sewer systems. The agreement covers a period of three years, commencing April 1, 2022 and ending March 31, 2024. It should be noted that any party may terminate the agreement for any reason upon giving 180 days prior written notice to the other party. The agreement also allows the Region to prescribe fees for sewage system applications and other services that reflect the actual costs of administering the program. 2.2 A copy of Schedule “A” with the 2022 to 2024 user fees in enclosed (Attachment 2). These fees are determined on a cost recovery basis and include a 2% annual increase. 2.3 Staff have reviewed the agreement as attached and based on our experience with the previous agreement, we are confident that it represents the interests of the Municipality of Clarington. Municipality of Clarington Page 3 Report PDS-020-22 3. Concurrence Not Applicable. 4. Conclusion It is respectfully recommended that the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute an agreement with the Regional Municipality of Durham for the administration of the Building Code Act and the Ontario Building Code, as it relates to the enforcement of small capacity sewage system and that Council approve the by-law attached to Report PDS-020-22. Staff Contact: Brent Rice, Chief Building Official, 905-623-3379 extension 2303 or brice@clarington.net. Attachments: Attachment 1 – 2022 Sewage System Management Agreement Attachment 2 – Schedule “A” of 2022 Sewage System Management Agreement Interested Parties: The following interested parties will be notified of Council's decision: The Regional Municipality of Durham SEWAGE SYSTEM MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT THIS AGREEMENT is made as of the 1st day of April, 2022 (the “Effective Date”) B E T W E E N: THE REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF DURHAM (the “Region”) - and - MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON (the ”Municipality”) WHEREAS the Building Code Act, 1992, S.O. 1992, c. 23, as amended (the “Act”), authorizes an upper-tier municipality to enter into an agreement with one or more municipalities within the upper-tier municipality for the enforcement by the upper-tier municipality of the provisions of the Act and the Building Code related to sewage systems in the municipalities and for charging the municipalities the whole or part of the cost; AND WHEREAS the Region and the Municipality wish to enter into this Agreement for the purpose of delegating to the Region the enforcement of certain responsibilities under the Act and O.Reg. 332/12, as amended (the “Building Code”), relating to sewage systems pursuant to subsection 6.2(1) of the Act; NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, the receipt and sufficiency of which is acknowledged, the Parties hereto agree as follows: ARTICLE ONE APPLICATION Section 1.1 Application This Agreement shall be applicable to all lands where access to municipal sanitary servicing is unavailable within the Municipality (the “Lands”). Section 1.2 Duties The Region’s Health Department, on behalf of the Region, shall faithfully carry out its duties hereunder in accordance with the Act, the Building Code, this Agreement and any other legislation contemplated hereunder. ARTICLE TWO DEFINITIONS Section 2.1 Definitions In this Agreement, i) “Building Code” means Ontario Regulation 332/12 made under the Act, as amended; ii) “Inspector” means an inspector appointed by the Region pursuant to subsection 6.2(3) of the Act; iii) “Health Department” means the Region’s Health Department; iv) “Sewage System” means, a) a chemical toilet, an incinerating toilet, a recirculating toilet, a self- contained portable toilet and all forms of privy, including portable privy, an earth pit privy, a pail privy, a privy vault and a composting toilet system, - 2 - b) a greywater system, c) a cesspool, d) a leaching bed system, or e) a system that requires or uses a holding tank for the retention of hauled sewage at the site where it is produced before its collection by a hauled sewage system, where these, i have a design capacity of 10,000 litres per day or less, ii have, in total, a design capacity of 10,000 litres per day or less, where more than one of these are located on a lot or parcel of land, and iii are located wholly within the boundaries of the lot or parcel of land on which is located the building or buildings they serve; and, v) “Treatment Unit” means a device that, when designed, installed and operated in accordance with its design specifications, provides a specific degree of sanitary sewage treatment to reduce the contaminant load from that of sanitary sewage to a given effluent quality. ARTICLE THREE SERVICES OF THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT Section 3.1 Services The Health Department shall provide the following services in relation to the Lands: i) Carry out an inspection of any land which is planned to be divided by severance, where no municipal sewage services are proposed, to ensure that each lot will be suitable for the installation of a Sewage System, including compliance with the Region’s “Drilled Wells and Lot Sizing Policies as Applied to Consents (Severances) and Draft Plans of Subdivision” dated October 2010, as amended or replaced; ii) Inspect properties prior to the issuance of a building permit under the Act for the construction, installation, establishment, enlargement, extension, repair or alteration of a Sewage System; iii) Issue building permits under the Act relating to Sewage Systems; iv) Following the issuance of a building permit, inspect and re-inspect, when necessary, Sewage Systems to ascertain compliance with the building permit and other requirements under the Act and Building Code; v) Carry out land inspections to determine the acceptability of applications and provide reports and comments directly to the appropriate authority for minor variances, site plans, rezoning, official plan amendments, consents/severances, subdivisions, condominiums and building additions to ensure compliance with provisions of the Act, Building Code and any other applicable legislation, policies and guidelines as they relate to existing and proposed Sewage Systems; vi) Receive and process building permit applications and inspections within the timeframes established in Division C of the Building Code related to activities listed in paragraphs (i) through (v) of this section; - 3 - vii) Review all pertinent documents to ensure compliance with all applicable legislation, policies and guidelines relating to Sewage Systems; viii) Attend meetings of Municipal Council and their committees to discuss matters relating to Sewage Systems; ix) As an agent for the Municipality, maintain adequate records of all documents and other materials used in performing the duties required under this Agreement. Such records to be maintained in accordance with the Region’s Record Retention Policy as contained in the Region’s by- laws; x) Upon reasonable notice by the Municipality, provide reasonable access to the Municipality of all records kept under subsection 3.01(ix) above; xi) Consult with various groups regarding compliance with provisions relating to Sewage Systems; xii) Respond to inquiries made by any person under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M56. as amended, or through any other legal channel; xiii) Investigate complaints and malfunctioning Sewage Systems, undertake compliance counselling and preparation of reports for abatement action as they relate to existing and proposed Sewage Systems; xiv) Issue orders under the Act relating to Sewage Systems; xv) Prepare documentation necessary for prosecution activities relating to Sewage Systems under the Act and the Building Code and administer proceedings relating to Sewage Systems pursuant to the Provincial Offences Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.33; xvi) Provide all forms necessary for the administration of this Agreement; xvii) Provide any other matters related to the administration or enforcement of the Act or Building Code relating to Sewage Systems; and xviii) Attend hearings of the Ontario Land Tribunal and other tribunals, as required. Section 3.2 Maintenance Inspections Not Included Nothing in this Agreement provides for the provision by the Health Department of any services related to maintenance inspections, re-inspections or other related services which may be required under any discretionary or mandatory re-inspection program which may be undertaken by the Municipality. In the event that such is desired or required by the Municipality during the term of this Agreement, a separate Agreement will be required to provide for those services. Section 3.3 Sampling and Monitoring of Treatment Units Not Included Nothing in this Agreement provides for the provision by the Health Department of any services related to the sampling and monitoring of Treatment Units (other than septic tanks) for maximum concentrations of CBOD5 and suspended solids as referenced in Section 8.9.2.4 of the Building Code and/or nutrient reduction parameters referred to in Appendix A of the Building Code. - 4 - ARTICLE FOUR FEES Section 4.1 Collection of Fees The Regional Council agrees to pass a by-law requiring the payment of fees on applications for and issuance of permits and other services as set out in Schedule “A”. The fees will be collected by the Health Department at the time of the application. In the alternative, the Municipality shall collect the fees on behalf of the Region and remit the fees collected to the Health Department together with the completed application to which the fees apply. Section 4.2 Fee Schedule The Regional Council shall have the sole discretion, acting reasonably, to further amend the by-law and the fee schedule set out in Schedule “A” from time to time. For clarity, no amendment of this Agreement shall be required if the Region amends its by-law, and the fees for applications of permits and other services covered by this Agreement shall be pursuant to the Regional by-law in force at the time of the application or service, as applicable. Section 4.3 Surplus Proceeds If the revenues collected exceed the expenditures for the services provided under this Agreement, the surplus shall be remitted to the general revenues of the Region. ARTICLE FIVE INSPECTORS Section 5.1 Qualifications of Inspectors The Municipality agrees that only Health Department personnel meeting the following qualifications shall be employed as an Inspector for the purposes of this Agreement: i) a person qualified to be employed as a full time certified Public Health Inspector; and ii) a person qualified as a sewage systems inspector prescribed by the Building Code. Section 5.2 Appointment of Inspectors The Region shall be responsible for the appointment of all Inspectors for the purposes of this Agreement pursuant to subsection 6.2(3) of the Act. The Regional Clerk shall issue a certificate of appointment bearing the signature, or reasonable facsimile, of each inspector appointed by the Region. ARTICLE SIX INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE Section 6.1 Indemnification The Municipality shall defend, indemnify and save harmless the Region and its members of Council, officers, employees and agents against any and all costs (including legal fees and disbursements), expenses, losses, liabilities, claims, demands, actions or causes of action incurred by the Region (including claims made by third parties against the Region) as a result of a breach of a term or provision of this Agreement by the Municipality or otherwise, except to the extent those resulting from the negligence or wilful misconduct of the Region or those for whom it is in law responsible. The Region shall defend, indemnify and save harmless the Municipality and its members of council, officers, employees and agents against any and all costs (including legal fees and disbursements), expenses, losses, liabilities, claims, demands, actions or - 5 - causes of action incurred by the Municipality (including claims made by third parties against the Municipality) as a result of a breach of a term or provision of this Agreement by the Region or otherwise, except to the extent those resulting from the negligence or wilful misconduct of the Municipality or those for whom it is in law responsible. Section 6.2 Insurance For the term of this Agreement, the Region will, at its expense, maintain commercial general liability insurance providing coverage for a limit of not less than five million ($5,000,000) dollars for each occurrence. ARTICLE SEVEN TERM AND TERMINATION Section 7.1 Term This Agreement shall continue in force for an initial term of three years commencing as of the Effective Date (“Initial Term”). The Agreement shall renew for one subsequent three-year term, subject to a party providing written notice that the party does not wish the Agreement to renew 180 days prior to the expiry of the Initial Term. Section 7.2 Termination The Municipality may terminate this Agreement on 180 days written notice if the Health Department does not: i) adhere to the provisions of the Act and Building Code; or ii) exercise any discretionary powers of an approval authority, acting reasonably, in the public interest; iii) and the Health Department has not taken steps satisfactory to the Municipality within the 180 day period to remedy the matter complained of in the written notice. Section 7.3 General Termination Either party may terminate this Agreement with not less than 180 days written notice. Section 7.4 Records on Termination In the event of the termination of this Agreement or where a Municipality does not renew or enter into a subsequent Agreement for the provision of the services, the Health Department shall provide to the Municipality all records kept under subsection 3.01(ix). ARTICLE EIGHT MISCELLANEOUS Section 8.1 Preamble The preamble hereto shall be deemed to form an integral part hereof. Section 8.2 Amendments This Agreement shall not be changed, modified, terminated or discharged in whole or in part except by instrument in writing signed by the parties hereto, or their respective successors or permitted assigns, or otherwise as provided herein. Section 8.3 Assignment This Agreement shall not be assignable by either party hereto without the consent of the other party being first obtained. - 6 - Section 8.4 Notices Any notice, report or other communication required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing unless some other method of giving such notice, report or other communication is expressly accepted by the party to whom it is given and shall be given by being delivered or mailed to the following addresses of the parties respectively: a) To the Region: The Regional Municipality of Durham Health Department 605 Rossland Rd. E Whitby, Ontario L1N 6A3 Attention: Medical Officer of Health b) To the Municipality: Municipality of Clarington 40 Temperance Street Bowmanville, ON L1C 3A6 Attention: Alternatively, and on an exceptional and case-by-case basis, delivery of any notice, report or other communication hereunder may be submitted electronically, on the consent of the accepting party, to the following email addresses respectively: a) Region: ehl@durham.ca b) Municipality: Any notice, report or other written communication, if delivered, shall be deemed to have been given or made on the date on which it was delivered to any employee of such party, on the date it was received via email (in exceptional circumstances, as above), or if mailed, postage prepaid, shall be deemed to have been given or made on the third business day following the date on which it was mailed (unless at the time of mailing or within forty-eight hours thereof there shall be a strike, interruption or lock-out in the Canadian postal service, in which case service shall be by way of delivery only). Either party may at any time give notice in writing to the other party of the change of its address for the purpose of this section 8.04. Section 8.5 Headings The section headings hereof have been inserted for the convenience of reference only and shall not be construed to affect the meaning, construction or effect of this Agreement. Section 8.6 Binding Effect and Enurement This Agreement shall be binding upon and enure to the benefit of the parties hereto, their respective heirs, executors, administrators and successors (including successors brought about by municipal reorganization or restructuring), and to the extent permitted hereunder, their permitted assigns. Section 8.7 Waiver No party will be deemed to have waived the exercise of any right that it holds under this Agreement unless such waiver is made in writing. No waiver made with respect to any instance involving the exercise of any other instance will be deemed to be a waiver with respect to any other instance involving the exercise of the right of with respect to any other such right. - 7 - Section 8.8 Governing Law The provisions of this Agreement shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario as at the time in effect. IN WITNESS WHEREOF the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the Effective Date first written above. THE REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF DURHAM Per: ______________________________ Dr. Robert Kyle, Commissioner and Medical Officer of Health MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON Per: _____________________________ Per: _____________________________ Schedule “A” Fee Schedule for a Building Permit Application to Construct a Sewage System and Other Activities by Durham Region Health Department OBC ACTIVITIES 2022-2025 USER FEES 2022 2023 2024 Class 4 and 5 systems (Building Permit for sewage system) Residential Occupancy $1,003.00 $1,023.00 $1,043.00 Other Occupancies (non-residential, commercial, industrial, institutional) <4,500 L/day $1,003.00 >4,500- 10,000 L/day $2,133.00 <4,500 L/day $1,023.00 >4,500 - 10,000 L/day $2,176.00 <4,500 L/day $1,043.00 >4,500 - 10,000 L/day $2,220.00 Class 2 and 3 systems, and Building Permit for treatment unit/tank replacement only All Occupancies $512.00 $522.00 $532.00 Building Additions per application $243.00 $248.00 $253.00 Building Permit for sewage system extension (1 year) per application $188.00 $192.00 $196.00 REGIONAL ACTIVITIES Fees for 2022 Fees for 2023 Fees for 2024 Lot Consents (Severances) per application (severed parcel and retained parcel) $564.00 $575.00 $587.00 New application-plans of Subdivision per lot creation $408.00 $416.00 $424.00 Draft Plans of Subdivision- had not received draft approval & application processed prior to 1998 requiring reassessment per lot creation $408.00 $416.00 $424.00 Draft Plans of Subdivision- received draft plan approval & application processed prior to 1998 requiring reassessment (note: subdivision assessment involves reviewing geo- technical, hydro-geological, and peer review reports) per lot creation $281.00 $287.00 $293.00 Rezonings, Official Plan Amendments, Minor Variances, Site-servicing Plans per application $281.00 $287.00 $293.00 Lawyers’ written requests per request $281.00 $287.00 $293.00 Examine Peer Review reports per initial report per follow-up report(s) $281.00 $120.00 $287.00 $122.00 $293.00 $124.00 Schedule A Ontario Building Code (OBC) Activities 20-2 0 User Fees Activities Class 4 and 5 systems (Building Permit for sewage system) Residential Occupancy $.00 $.00 $.00 Class 4 and 5 systems (Building Permit for sewage system) Other Occupancies (non-residential, commercial, industrial, institutional) <4,500 L/day $.00 >4,500 -10,000 L/day $.00 <4,500 L/day $.00 >4,500 -10,000 L/day $.00 <4,500 L/day $.00 >4,500 -10,000 L/day $.00 Class 2 and 3 systems, and Building Permit for treatment unit/tank replacement only All Occupancies $.00 $.00 $.00 Building Additions per application $2.00 $2.00 $2.00 Building Permit for sewage system extension (1 year) per application $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 Region Activities Lot Consents (Severances) per pplication $5.00 $5.00 $5.00 New application-plans of Subdivision per lot creation $.00 $.00 $.00 Draft Plans of Subdivision-had not received draft approval & application processed prior to 1998 requiring reassessment per lot creation $.00 $.00 $.00 Draft Plans of Subdivision- received draft plan approval & application processed prior to 1998 requiring reassessment (note: involves reviewing geo-technical, hydro-geological, and peer review reports) per lot creation $.00 $.00 $.00 Rezonings, Official Plan Amendments, Minor Variances, Site-servicing Plans per application $2.00 $2.00 $2.00 Lawyers’ written requests per request $2.0 $$2.00 Examine Peer Review reports per initial report $2.00 $2.00 $2.00 Examine Peer Review reports per follow-up report(s) $1.00 $1.00 $1.00