Chapter 12.10
REVIEW, ADMINISTRATION AND FIELD INSPECTION OF CONSTRUCTION PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS

Sections:

12.10.010    Public improvement on public property—Construction procedure.

12.10.020    Procedure manual—Designated.

12.10.030    Fees and charges.

12.10.040    Compliance with procedure manual.

12.10.010 Public improvement on public property—Construction procedure.

In the event the city engineer and a developer or property owner, hereinafter “developer,” jointly determine that it is in the parties’ mutual interest that certain public improvements or betterments be constructed upon public property, the following procedures shall be followed. The process set forth herein may be used in conjunction with the construction of streets, alleys, driveways, water mains, sanitary sewers, storm sewers and other similar public improvements, hereinafter referred to as “public improvements.”

A. As a condition to undertaking the procedures set forth herein, the developer shall make application to the engineering division for a permit to construct public improvements. Such permit application shall be made on a form prescribed by the city engineering division, and the fees connected therewith are as set forth in Section 12.10.030.

B. Prior to the issuance of a permit for such public improvements, the developer proposing to construct the improvements shall provide the engineering division with copies of all surveys, grades, engineering design data, and construction plans and specifications deemed necessary by the city engineer or his delegate for the construction of the proposed public improvement. Such documents shall not be approved unless in conformance with all codes and in such detail as the city engineer shall deem sufficient.

C. Following the issuance of all required permits, but prior to the commencement of work, the developer shall schedule a preconstruction conference at a time and place acceptable to the city engineer and representatives of other affected local utilities to coordinate the work.

D. Following the preconstruction conference, the developer shall perform all necessary construction staking, which shall be reviewed by and certified by a professional engineer registered in the state of Washington.

E. As a final condition before the commencement of work, the developer or his agent shall notify the city engineer in writing at least twenty-four hours prior thereto of the proposed date and time of commencement of the construction phase. The developer shall make arrangements for a city inspector to be at the job site at the time work is initially commenced. Prior to the commencement of construction, a representative of the engineering division shall check and approve the proposed work as to line and grade. Thereafter through the construction phase of the project, a representative of the engineering division shall inspect from time to time the progress of work and shall have authority to stop work or direct changes as deemed necessary.

F. After the completion of all construction, but prior to the acceptance of the completed work by the city engineer, the developer shall furnish the city engineer with an acceptable set of reproducible plans indicating the as-built condition of the work, which plans shall show all construction changes, alignment and grades of changes, all added and deleted items, and other engineering data, all of which shall be certified by an engineer registered in the state of Washington responsible for the work.

G. Acceptance of the Improvement. In the event the improvements approved for construction are not built on city-owned or dedicated property, such acceptance shall not occur until the property is conveyed or otherwise dedicated to the city, pursuant to a conveyancing mechanism approved as to method and form by the city attorney. Acceptance of the development shall occur simultaneous with the dedication or conveyance of the real property in question.

Further, acceptance which shall take the form of a certificate of acceptance and shall not be deemed complete until all fees have been paid and the improvements have been certified as in compliance with all inspections and the provisions set forth herein. The city engineer shall determine whether acceptance shall be conditioned on the developers posting a maintenance and performance bond to insure and guarantee the proper functioning of the system or facility in such amount and for such period of time as the city engineer shall deem appropriate. All such bonds or surety agreements shall be approved by the city attorney.

H. Contract or Other Acknowledgment. In the event no formal contract is entered into between the city and developer, then as an alternative thereto, the developer shall be required to execute a document acknowledging that he has reviewed all the terms and conditions of this chapter and agrees to fully comply therewith. (Ord. 3676 § 3, 2008; Ord. 3154 § 2, 1991)

12.10.020 Procedure manual—Designated.

To the extent not specifically described herein and as a supplement to the procedures set forth in Section 12.10.010, the city engineer and developer shall follow the procedures more specifically detailed in that certain document entitled “Procedures Manual for Construction of Public Improvements Procedure for Permit Projects by Private Contract.” (Ord. 3676 § 3, 2008; Ord. 3154 § 3, 1991)

12.10.030 Fees and charges.

Fees shall be charged to the owner or developer of property for the plan and specification review, administration and field inspection of the public improvements by the engineering department of the city of Kelso. Such fees shall be in addition to any plat checking fees as may be otherwise required. All of said fees, except as hereinafter provided, may be paid in two installments. The first installment, which must be equal to one-half or more of the total fee, shall be paid prior to the issuance of a permit for construction, and the balance of such fees must be paid before the final acceptance of the completed work by the city engineer. Fees for sidewalks and driveways constructed separately, however, must be paid in full prior to the issuance of a permit for construction. The fees to be charged are as follows:

A. Street Construction. The fee for review and inspection in connection with street construction, including grading, ballasting, paving of street to the width and depth shown on plans, construction of curbs or curb and gutters, sidewalks, driveways, drainage facilities, street lighting facilities and such other work as may be necessary to complete the work in accordance with the plans and specifications, shall be an amount set by resolution of the city council.

B. Water Main Construction. The fee for review and inspection in connection with water main construction, including trench excavation and backfill, installation of a water main the size shown on the plans, together with all necessary appurtenances, including valves, tees, fire hydrants, and service lines to the property line and such other work as may be necessary to complete the work in accordance with the plans and specifications, shall be an amount set by resolution of the city council.

C. Storm Sewer and Sanitary Sewer Construction. The fee for review and inspection in connection with sanitary sewer construction, including trench excavation and backfill, installation of a sanitary sewer of the size shown on the plans, together with all necessary appurtenances, including pumping stations, manholes, tees and side service to the property line and such other work as may be necessary to complete the work in accordance with the plans and specifications, shall be an amount set by resolution of the city council.

D. For all projects that are not otherwise set by resolution of the city council or identified within the city’s master fee resolution, the fee for review and inspection shall be the actual hours required for the review multiplied by the hourly rate established within the master fee resolution. (Ord. 3820 § 18, 2014; Ord. 3676 § 3, 2008; Ord. 3349 § 1, 1997; Ord. 3154 § 4, 1991)

12.10.040 Compliance with procedure manual.

The city engineer shall develop a procedure manual to guide private developers in compliance with the provisions of the chapter. Such procedures shall be followed by both the city engineering division and the private developer in the initiation and completion of public improvements undertaken pursuant to this chapter. (Ord. 3676 § 3, 2008; Ord. 3154 § 5, 1991)