HomeMy WebLinkAbout#03 Met Council SAC DeferralsSTAFF REPORT
DATE: April 4, 2017
CONSENT
ITEM #: 3
AGENDA ITEM: Met Council SAC Deferral Programs
SUBMITTED BY: Kristina Handt, City Administrator
BACKGROUND:
Last September Council discussed and approved some changes relating to finance matters in the
downtown projects. One of those items referenced was the Met Council SAC deferral programs.
ISSUE BEFORE COUNCIL:
Should the City Council approve agreements to allow the deferral of Met Council SAC fees for
businesses and residents?
PROPOSAL:
Met Council has a SAC deferral program for businesses with 25 or fewer RECs. They allow 80%
of the charge to be assessed over a 10-year period.
Last May staff asked Met Council about a similar program for residential properties. They did not
have one in place at the time but created one at our urging. The residential deferral program allows
residential properties with an assessed value of $250,000 or less to defer 80% of the charge over
5 years.
The city had begun implementing these options with Phase 1 and 2 of the Old Village Project after
Council approved the concept last fall. Property owners wishing to assess the fees (along with city
SAC and connection fees) completed a form at the time they pay the 20% of the fee and the
plumbing permit fee. Met Council will not allow the city to use the deferral program until these
agreements are signed and approved. Staff will be able to accommodate those already signed up
for the deferral through an internal tracking program.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None to the City. The 80% will be assessed to the property to mitigate any risk to the city. If a
business property were to cease operations or move from the site and does not require the
incremental wastewater capacity represented by the SAC deferral, the City may exercise one of
two options: continue to pay the SAC and receive a credit or discontinue payments.
OPTIONS:
1) Approve the Met Council SAC Deferral Agreements for Businesses and Residential
Properties.
2) Approve the Met Council SAC Deferral Agreement for either Businesses or Residential
Properties
3) Do not approve the Met Council SAC Deferral Agreements for Businesses and Residential
Properties.
RECOMMENDATION:
If removed from the consent agenda:
“Move to approve the Met Council SAC Deferral Agreements for Businesses and Residential
Properties.”
ATTACHMENTS:
• Master SAC Residential Deferral Agreement
• Master SAC Business Deferral Agreement
Page 1 of 7 Pages
AGREEMENT NUMBER: 16M131-2
COMMUNITY: CITY OF LAKE ELMO
COMMUNITY ADDRESS: 3800 LAVERNE AVE N, LAKE ELMO, MN 55042
CONTACT PERSON: CATHY BENDEL, FINANCE DIRECTOR
ASSESSED VALUE ELIGIBILITY CAP: $250,000
COMMUNITY-WIDE SAC DEFERRED AMOUNT (MAXIMUM 80%): 80%
COMMUNITY-WIDE SAC DEFERMENT PERIOD (MAXIMUM 5 YEARS): 5 YEARS
PAYMENT MONTH(S): APRIL
BUNDLE MONTH(S): NOVEMBER
MASTER SAC RESIDENTIAL DEFERRAL AGREEMENT
THIS MASTER SAC RESIDENTIAL DEFERRAL AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is entered
into by and between the Metropolitan Council, a public corporation and political subdivision of
the State of Minnesota, with business offices at 390 Robert Street North, Saint Paul, Minnesota
55101 (“Council”), and the local government unit identified above as the “Community.”
Recitals
1. The Council owns and operates the Metropolitan Disposal System. Under Minnesota
Statutes section 473.517, subdivision 3, the costs of acquisition, betterment and debt service
associated with the “reserve capacity” of the system must be allocated among and paid by the
respective local government units in the metropolitan area through a sewer availability charge
(“SAC”) for each new connection or increase in capacity demand to the Metropolitan Disposal
System within each local government unit.
2. Individual property owners whose properties are either newly connected or increase
capacity demand to the Metropolitan Disposal Sys tem do not pay SAC directly to the Council.
However, local government units that pay SAC to the Council for new connections or increased
capacity demands typically pass on those costs to property owners by assessing property owners a
“Local SAC” which sometimes includes local add-on charges.
3. Minnesota Statutes section 473.517, subdivision 6, authorizes the Council to provide for
the deferment of payment of all or part of the allocated costs that are allocated by the Council to a
local government unit in any year pursuant to section 473.517, subdivision 3. The deferments are
repayable at such time or times as the Council shall specify, with interest.
4. At its June 22, 2016 meeting, the Council adopted changes to its SAC program including
a residential SAC deferral program. The changes became effective immediately upon adoption.
5. The Council wants to work with communities to help homeowners convert from on-site
private sewage systems to the Metropolitan Disposal System by deferring community SAC
payment obligations pursuant to Minnesota Statutes section 473.517, subdivision 6, so
Page 2 of 7 Pages
participating communities may pass through to homeowners the benefits of deferred SAC
payments by the communities.
6. To obtain a deferment of a SAC payment obligation and provide assistance to homeowners,
communities must execute a standard master SAC deferral agreement with the Council. For the
term of the master agreement, communities will have the option to note on their monthly SAC
reporting forms as provided by the Council, the eligible SAC liabilities for which the communities
are requesting a SAC payment deferment from the Council.
7. In order to define the rights and obligations of the Community and the Council and the
relevant SAC deferral arrangements, the Community and the Council agree as follows:
Article 1 - Definitions
1.1 Definition of Terms.
Unless otherwise provided or indicated by the context, the terms defined in this article have the
meanings given them in this article. Capitalized terms or phrases used in this Agreement have the
meanings given them in the most recent version of the Council’s Sewer Availability Charge
Procedure Manual (the “SAC Procedure Manual”).
(a) Community.
“Community” means a “Community” or “Customer Community” as those terms are defined in the
SAC Procedure Manual.
(b) Determination.
“Determination” has the meaning ascribed to that term in the SAC Procedure Manual.
(c) Homeowner.
“Homeowner” means the owner of an existing Residential Property as defined below that will be
connected to the Metropolitan Disposal System but currently uses an on-site private sewage
treatment system. The eligibility of the property for residential SAC deferral will be determined
by an assessed value maximum as negotiated between the Council and the Community.
(d) Regional Portion of Local SAC.
The “Regional Portion of Local SAC” means that portion of the Community’s SAC payment
obligations to the Council that the Community passes on to properties within the Community’s
jurisdiction and does not include any local add-on charges.
(e) Residential Property.
Of the Residential properties defined in the SAC Procedure Manual, only single family dwellings,
attached or detached townhomes, cooperative housing, and manufactured homes qualify for the
SAC Residential Deferral Program.
(f) SAC Deferred Amount.
“SAC Deferred Amount” means the amount of the Community’s SAC obligation under Minnesota
Statutes section 473.517, subdivision 3, that has been deferred pursuant to Minnesota Statutes
section 473.517, subdivision 6, and the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
Page 3 of 7 Pages
Article 2 – SAC Deferred Amount; Interest; Payments
2.1 SAC Deferred Amount.
Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and applicable law, the Council will allow
the Community to defer payment on the Community’s SAC obligations for eligible Residential
Properties within the Community’s jurisdiction in an amount not to exceed eighty percent (80%) of
the SAC due for the properties using existing on-site private sewage systems that will be newly
connected to the Metropolitan Disposal System. The percentage by which the Community elects
to defer payment on the Community’s SAC obligations must be applied on a community-wide
basis to all participating Residential Properties within the Community’s jurisdiction. The
“Community-Wide SAC Deferred Amount” is stated as a percentage on Page 1 of this Agreement.
The deferment is available only to existing properties that are on existing private on-site sewage
systems and meet the assessed property value cap as negotiated between the Council and the
Community. In each instance in which the Community exercises this deferment option, the SAC
amount that is not deferred is due and payable at the time the SAC liability is incurred by the
Community. Communities must bundle their eligible residential deferrals and not submit more
than two (2) bundles per year. Payments on the non-deferred amounts are due with the regular
SAC reporting to the Council, pursuant to the SAC Procedure Manual. The deferred SAC liability
begins accruing interest on the first day following the regular SAC reporting.
2.2 Interest.
Annually at each calendar year-end, the Council will determine the average rate on its wastewater
bonds, pursuant to Minnesota Statutes section 473.517, subdivision 6. All new SAC deferments
during the following calendar year will be subject to that interest rate, but that interest rate will be
fixed for the duration of the deferment period for each deferral originated in that calendar year.
Interest on unpaid SAC Deferred Amount balances will be computed in whole months, however,
payments to the Council can be annual.
2.3 Payments.
When the Council invoices the Community for payments on its SAC Deferred Amount, the
Council will provide the Community with a payment schedule that amortizes the SAC Deferred
Amount and interest on that deferred amount over the term of the deferment period. The
Community’s payment schedule will list the Residential Properties for which the Community
elected to defer payments on the Community’s SAC obligations to the Council. The Community
will make payments to the Council at least annually. The Community may elect to make payments
semi-annually to correspond with the Community’s Local SAC collections, assessments, or other
payments from Homeowners. The month(s) the Community elected to make its SAC payments to
the Council under the payment schedule are identified on Page 1 of this Agreement as the
“Payment Month(s).” The Community may prepay the entire deferred amount due without penalty
or additional interest.
2.4 Local SAC Payments from Homeowners.
Subject to the limitation stated in Sections 3.2 and 4.1, the Community may enter into a payment
or other agreement with each Homeowner for payment of Local SAC to the Community on terms
and conditions agreed to by the Community and the Homeowner. Failure of a Homeowner to
make its Local SAC payments to the Community or the Community’s failure (or choice) not to
assess or collect Local SAC from a Homeowner shall not relieve the Community of its obligation
to pay the Council any unpaid SAC Deferred Amount, plus interest, or otherwise meet its SAC
payment obligations under Minnesota Statutes section 473.517, subdivision 6, or other law. If
Page 4 of 7 Pages
Homeowners prepay the Community, those prepayments will not change the amount due to the
Council.
Article 3 - Term of Deferments
3.1 Term of Agreement.
Unless otherwise terminated pursuant to this Agreement, this Agreement shall remain in full force
and effect until the term of the last deferment period expires for Residential Properties listed on
the Community’s payment schedule. The Council reserves the right to cancel, suspend, or modify
its SAC deferral program at any time and for any reason upon thirty (30) calendar days written
notice to the Community. If the Council cancels, suspends, or modifies its SAC deferral program
it will honor all existing SAC deferrals which the Community elected to make under this
Agreement prior to the cancellation, suspension, or modification. The Community is responsible
for giving timely notice to the Community’s participating Homeowners or prospective participant
Homeowners of any cancellation, suspension, or modification of the Council’s SAC deferral
program that may affect the Community’s Local SAC deferral program.
3.2 Term of Deferment.
The Community elects the term of the SAC deferments between the Council and the Community,
but the maximum term of a Community’s SAC deferment shall not exceed five (5) years. The
Community may have only one SAC residential deferment period and must have the same SAC
deferment period for all Residential Properties covered by this Agreement. The Community’s
“Community-Wide SAC Deferment Period” is identified on Page 1 of this Agreement.
3.3 Deferral Bundles.
Communities must bundle their deferrals. A Community may not submit more than two bundles
per year.
Article 4 – Local SAC Deferrals
4.1 Local Terms and Conditions.
The Community will be responsible for identifying Residential Properties and homeowners that
qualify for the Community’s SAC deferral program pursuant to any Community terms or
conditions. The Council will disapprove a Community deferment request only if a property does
not qualify as an eligible Residential Property or a homeowner does not qualify as a Homeowner
as defined in this Agreement. Because the Council’s SAC deferral program is intended to benefit
existing Homeowners, the Community must administer its Local SAC deferral program in a
revenue-neutral manner. The Community agrees its SAC payments to the Council will not be less
than the Regional Portion of Local SAC payments the Community receives from participating
Homeowners.
(a) Local Deferment Period.
The Community agrees it will not allow a Homeowner a less generous deferment period (i.e., a
shorter deferment period) for payment of the Regional Portion of Local SAC than the term of the
Community’s Community-Wide Deferment Period. This Agreement is not intended to govern the
payment or deferment of any local add-on charges by the Community (if any) for Residential
Properties.
Page 5 of 7 Pages
(b) Local Deferred Amount.
The Regional Portion of Local SAC deferred by the Community for a Homeowner’s benefit shall
not be less than the Community’s SAC Deferred Amount. If a Homeowner elects to prepay the
Community some or all of the Regional Portion of Local SAC deferred by the Community, this
will not change the amount due to the Council (the original payment schedule cannot be changed).
4.2 Unpaid Local SAC.
If a Homeowner ceases to pay or moves from the eligible Residential Property, the Community
must continue to make its payments to the Council under the payment schedule.
4.3 Late Community Payments.
If the Community makes a late SAC deferral payment to the Council, an additional administrative
charge of two percent (2%) of the unpaid balance of the SAC Deferred Amount per month (or such
higher interest rate allowable under law) will be applied.
Article 5 - Notices
5.1 Written Notices.
Any notice, request, demand, and other correspondence required by or made in accordance with
this Agreement shall be in writing and delivered:
To the Council:
Metropolitan Council, Attn: MCES Finance Director, 390 Robert Street North, Saint Paul,
Minnesota 55101-1806
To the Community:
The Community’s “Contact Person” identified on Page 1, at the “Community Address” identified
on Page 1
5.2 Notice Delivery.
Any notices or other correspondence shall be deemed to have been received: (a) three (3) calendar
days after the date on the notice if the notice is sent by U.S. Mail; or (b) the next business day from
the date on the notice if the notice is sent by facsimile or by e-mail.
Article 6 - Defaulting Liabilities
6.1 Liability.
To the extent permitted or authorized by law, the Community will hold the Council harmless and
indemnify the Council against any actions, charges, claims, costs, damages, demands, expenses,
liabilities, losses, and proceedings which the Council may suffer or be subject to as a result of any
default by a Homeowner or the Community of the Community’s SAC payment obligations under
this Agreement or under applicable law. A Homeowner’s failure to pay Local SAC shall not
relieve the Community of its obligation to pay the Community’s SAC obligations to the Council.
Nothing in this Agreement shall be interpreted as a waiver of any liability limitations or immunities
granted to the Council and the Community by Minnesota Statutes chapter 466 or by other
applicable state or federal law.
Page 6 of 7 Pages
6.2 Survival of Terms.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the validity of this Article and the
Community’s obligation to pay its SAC obligations shall survive the expiration or termination of
this Agreement.
Article 7 - Miscellaneous
7.1 Dispute Resolution.
Any dispute arising under this Agreement shall be settled through consultations between the
Council’s and the Community’s representatives. If an agreement regarding a dispute cannot be
reached within thirty (30) days upon notice of a dispute from the Council or the Community, either
party is then entitled to bring such dispute before the courts of this state or take such action as
otherwise allowed by law.
7.2 Exercise of Rights.
Any rights, powers, and remedies granted to the Council and the Community by this Agreement
shall not preclude or limit any other rights, powers, and remedies available to the Council or the
Community in accordance with law and other provisions of this Agreement. The exercise of any
rights, powers, and remedies by the Council or the Community shall not preclude the Council or
the Community from exercising any other rights, powers, and remedies available to the Council or
the Community. No failure or delay by the Council or the Community to exercise any of their
respective rights, powers, and remedies under this Agreement or in accordance with applicable
laws shall be construed as a waiver of such rights, powers, and remedies. The waiver of any right,
power, or remedy, in whole or in part, shall not preclude the Council or the Community from
exercising any of their other respective rights, powers, or remedies.
7.3 Severability of Provisions.
Each provision in this Agreement shall be severable from and independent of the other provisions.
If one or more provisions are held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the validity, legality, and
enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall not be affected and shall remain
in full force and effect.
7.4 Amendments and modifications.
Any amendments or modifications to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall become effective
only upon execution of the amendment by the Council’s and the Community’s authorized
representatives.
7.5 Assignment.
The Community shall not assign any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement to any third
party, even if a Residential Property which was the subject of the SAC liability is removed from
the jurisdiction of the Community. The Community may not barter, trade, sell, or otherwise treat
any SAC payment obligation deferments or SAC Credits as a commodity and the Council will not
honor any agreements between the Community and any third parties that purport to barter, trade,
sell, or otherwise treat any SAC payment obligation deferments or SAC Credits as a commodity.
7.6 Successors.
This Agreement shall be binding on the legal successors of the Council and the Community,
whether by operation of law or otherwise.
Page 7 of 7 Pages
7.7 Warranty of Legal Capacity.
The individuals signing this Agreement on behalf of the Community and the Council represent
and warrant on the Community’s and the Council’s behalf respectively that the individuals are
duly authorized to execute this Agreement on the Community’s and the Council’s behalf
respectively and that this Agreement constitutes the Community’s and the Council’s valid, binding
and enforceable agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Community and the Council have caused this Agreement to be
executed by their duly authorized representatives. This Agreement is effective on the date of final
execution by the Council.
COMMUNITY
By: ___________________________________________________
Print Name: ____________________________________________
Title: _________________________________________________
Date: _________________________________________________
METROPOLITAN COUNCIL
By: ___________________________________________________
Print Name: ____________________________________________
Title: _________________________________________________
Date: _________________________________________________
MASTER SAC RESIDENTIAL DEFERRAL 12/09/2016
Page 1 of 7 Pages
COMMUNITY: City of Lake Elmo NO. 17M131-1
COMMUNITY ADDRESS: 3800 Laverne Ave N
CONTACT PERSON: Kristina Handt, City Administrator
COMMUNITY-WIDE SAC DEFERRED AMOUNT: 80%
COMMUNITY-WIDE SAC DEFERMENT PERIOD/TERM: 10 years
PAYMENT MONTH(S): April
MASTER SAC DEFERRAL AGREEMENT
THIS MASTER SAC DEFERRAL AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is entered into by and between
the Metropolitan Council, a public corporation and political subdivision of the State of Minnesota,
with business offices at 390 Robert Street North, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55101 (“Council”), and the
local government unit identified above as the “Community.”
Recitals
1. The Council owns and operates the metropolitan disposal system. Under Minnesota Statutes
section 473.517, subdivision 3, the costs of acquisition, betterment and debt service associated with
the “reserve capacity” of the system must be allocated among and paid by the respective local
government units in the metropolitan area through a sewer availability charge (“SAC”) for each new
connection or increase in capacity demand to the metropolitan disposal system within each local
government unit.
2. Individual property or business owners whose properties are either newly connected or increase
capacity demand to the metropolitan disposal system do not pay SAC to the Council. However, local
government units that pay SAC to the Council for new connections or increased capacity demands
typically pass on those costs to property and business owners by assessing property and business
owners a “Local SAC” which sometimes includes local add-on charges.
3. Minnesota Statutes section 473.517, subdivision 6 authorizes the Council to provide for the
deferment of payment of all or part of the allocated costs which are allocated by the Council to a local
government unit in any year pursuant to section 473.517, subdivision 3. The deferments are repayable
at such time or times as the Council shall specify, with interest.
4. At its November 28, 2012 meeting, the Council adopted changes to its SAC program including
a small business SAC deferral program. The changes became effective January 1, 2013. At its
January 22, 2014 meeting, the Council adopted changes to the SAC deferral program that became
effective immediately upon adoption.
5. The Council wants to encourage and help communities promote business development by
deferring community SAC payment obligations pursuant to Minnesota Statutes section 473.517,
subdivision 6, so participating communities may pass through to businesses the benefits of deferred
SAC payments by the communities. The Council’s Sewer Availability Charge Procedure Manual
Page 2 of 7 Pages
(January 2014) states that communities that want to participate in a SAC deferral program must
execute a standard master SAC deferral agreement with the Council.
6. To obtain a deferment of a SAC payment obligation and provide assistance to businesses,
communities will submit to the Council a signed master SAC deferral agreement. For the term of the
master agreement, communities will have the option to note on their monthly SAC reporting, on forms
as provided by the Council, the eligible SAC liabilities for which the communities are requesting a
SAC payment deferment from the Council. For each such subject SAC liability the deferment will
be effective as of the first day of the subsequent month (e.g., for an April building permit that is
reported for SAC in May, the deferment will be effective as of June 1).
7. In order to define the rights and obligations of the Community and the Council and the relevant
SAC deferral arrangements, the Community and the Council agree as follows:
Article 1 - Definitions
1.1 Definition of Terms. Unless otherwise provided or indicated by the context, the terms defined
in this article have the meanings given them in this article. Capitalized terms or phrases used in this
Agreement have the meanings given them in the most recent version of the Council’s Sewer
Availability Charge Procedure Manual (the “SAC Procedure Manual”).
(a) Community. “Community” means a “Community” or “Customer Community” as those terms
are defined in the SAC Procedure Manual.
(b) Determination. “Determination” has the meaning ascribed to that term in the SAC Procedure
Manual.
(c) Regional Portion of Local SAC. The “Regional Portion of Local SAC” means that portion of
the Community’s SAC payment obligations to the Council that the Community passed on to
properties within the Community’s jurisdiction and does not include any local add-on charges.
(d) SAC Deferred Amount. “SAC Deferred Amount” means the amount of the Community’s SAC
obligation under Minnesota Statutes section 473.517, subdivision 3 that has been deferred
pursuant to Minnesota Statutes section 473.517, subdivision 6 and the terms and conditions of
this Agreement.
(e) Business. “Business” means a property or business for which the aggregate SAC Determination
results in a liability of twenty-five (25) SAC units or less, before application of any Credits
available on the Site. Business does not include any type of “Residential Property” or “Publicly
Assisted Housing” as those terms are defined in the SAC Procedure Manual; nor does it include
motels, hotels, camps, nursing homes, senior housing or prisons. Business includes
“Commercial Properties,” as that term is defined in the SAC Procedure Manual, but only when
the aggregate SAC Determination for a Commercial Property is twenty-five (25) SAC units or
less, before any applicable Credits.
Page 3 of 7 Pages
Article 2 – SAC Deferred Amount; Interest; Payments
2.1 SAC Deferred Amount. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and applicable
law, the Council will allow the Community to defer payment on the Community’s SAC obligations
for Business properties within the Community’s jurisdiction in an amount not to exceed eighty percent
(80%) of the SAC due for the properties that are either newly connected or increase capacity demand
to the metropolitan disposal system. The percentage by which the Community elects to defer payment
on the Community’s SAC obligations must be applied on a community-wide basis to all participating
Businesses within the Community’s jurisdiction. The “Community-Wide SAC Deferred Amount” is
stated as a percentage on Page 1 of this Agreement. The deferment is available only to properties for
which the aggregate Determination is twenty-five (25) SAC units or less. In each instance in which
the Community exercises this deferment option, the SAC amount that is not deferred is due and
payable at the time the SAC liability is incurred by the Community. Payments on the non-deferred
amounts are due with the regular SAC reporting to the Council, pursuant to the SAC Procedure
Manual. The deferred SAC liability begins accruing interest on the first day following the regular
SAC reporting.
2.2 Interest. Annually at each calendar year-end, the Council will determine the average rate on its
wastewater bonds, pursuant to Minnesota Statutes section 473.517, subdivision 6. All new SAC
deferments during the following calendar year will be subject to that interest rate, but that interest rate
will be fixed for the duration of the deferment period for each deferral originated in that calendar
year. Interest on unpaid SAC Deferred Amount balances will be computed in whole months,
however, payments to the Council can be annual.
2.3 Payments. When the Council invoices the Community for payments on its SAC Deferred
Amount, the Council will provide the Community with a payment schedule that amortizes the SAC
Deferred Amount and interest on that deferred amount over the term of the deferment period. The
Community’s payment schedule will list the Business properties for which the Community elected to
defer payments on the Community’s SAC obligations to the Council. The Community will make
payments to the Council at least annually. The Community may elect to make payments semi-
annually or more frequently to correspond with the Community’s Local SAC collections, assessments
or other payments from Businesses, but the same payment schedule must apply to all Community
SAC Deferred Amounts. The month(s) the Community elected to make its SAC payments to the
Council under the payment schedule are identified on Page 1 of this Agreement as the “Payment
Month(s).” The Community may repay or prepay the Council the unpaid balance of a SAC Deferred
Amount at any time prior to the end of the deferment period. Any repayment or prepayment made
by the Community shall be without penalty to the Community. The Community’s payment schedule
will be recalculated during the term of the deferment period to reflect: (a) repayments or prepayments
by the Community; (b) the Community’s election (if any) to discontinue making payments on its SAC
Deferral Amount for a Site pursuant to Section 4.2(b); (c) any Community payments to the Council
pursuant to Section 4.1(b);or (d) the addition of new Business properties for which the Community
elects to defer payment on the Community’s SAC obligations to the Council.
2.4 Local SAC Payments from Businesses. Subject to the limitation stated in Sections 3.2 and 4.1,
the Community may enter into a payment or other agreement with each Business for payment of
Local SAC to the Community on terms and conditions agreed to by the Community and the Business.
Except as described in Section 4.2, failure of a Business to make its Local SAC payments to the
Community or the Community’s failure (or choice) not to assess or collect Local SAC from a
Business shall not relieve the Community of its obligation to pay the Council any unpaid SAC
Page 4 of 7 Pages
Deferred Amount, plus interest, or otherwise meet its SAC payment obligations under Minnesota
Statutes section 473.517, subdivision 6 or other law.
Article 3 - Term of Deferments
3.1 Term of Agreement. Unless otherwise terminated pursuant to this Agreement, this Agreement
shall remain in force and effect until the term of the last deferment period expires for Business
properties listed on the Community’s payment schedule. The Council reserves the right to cancel,
suspend or modify its SAC deferral program at any time and for any reason upon thirty (30) calendar
days written notice to the Community. If the Council cancels, suspends or modifies its SAC deferral
program it will honor all existing SAC deferrals which the Community elected to make under this
Agreement prior to the cancellation, suspension or modification. The Community is responsible for
giving timely notice to the Community’s participating Businesses or prospective participant
Businesses of any cancellation, suspension or modification of the Council’s SAC deferral program
that may affect the Community’s local SAC deferral program.
3.2 Term of Deferment. The Community elects the term of the SAC deferments between the
Council and the Community, but the maximum term of a Community’s SAC deferment shall not
exceed ten (10) years. The Community may have only one SAC deferment period and must have the
same SAC deferment period for all Business properties covered by this Agreement. The
Community’s “Community-Wide SAC Deferment Period” is identified on Page 1 of this Agreement.
Article 4 – Local SAC Deferrals
4.1 Local Terms and Conditions. The Community will be responsible for identifying property and
business owners that qualify for the Community’s SAC deferral program pursuant to any Community
terms or conditions. The Council will disapprove a Community deferment request only if a property
or business owner does not qualify as a Business as defined in this Agreement. Because the Council’s
SAC deferral program is intended to benefit Businesses, the Community must administer its local
SAC deferral program in a revenue-neutral manner. The Community agrees its SAC payments to the
Council will not be less than the Regional Portion of Local SAC payments the Community receives
from participating Businesses.
(a) Local Deferment Period. The Community agrees it will not allow a Business a less generous
deferment period (i.e., a shorter deferment period) for payment of the Regional Portion of Local
SAC than the term of the Community’s Community-Wide Deferment Period. This Agreement
is not intended to govern the payment or deferment of any local add-on charges by the
Community (if any) for Business properties.
(b) Local Deferred Amount. The Regional Portion of Local SAC deferred by the Community for a
Business’s benefit shall not be less than the Community’s SAC Deferred Amount. If a Business
elects to prepay the Community some or all of the Regional Portion of Local SAC deferred by
the Community, the Community must make a like payment to the Council to cover the
Community’s SAC obligations to the Council for the Business property. If a Business elects to
prepay some of the Regional Portion of Local SAC deferred by the Community the Council will
recalculate the Community’s payment schedule.
Page 5 of 7 Pages
4.2 Unpaid Local SAC. If a Business ceases operations or moves from the Site and does not require
the incremental wastewater capacity represented by the SAC deferral, the Community may exercise
one of the following two options:
(a) Continue SAC Payments. The Community may continue to make its payments to the Council
under the payment schedule. If the Community elects this option it will accrue SAC Credits for
the Site in accordance with the SAC Credit provisions of the SAC Procedure Manual.
(b) Discontinue SAC Payments. The Community may discontinue making its payments to the
Council on the Community’s SAC Deferral Amount for the Site. The Community must notify
the Council if the Community elects this option and it must certify to the Council that the
incremental capacity no longer is needed at the Site. The Community is responsible for making
all SAC payments on the SAC Deferral Amount that were due prior to the notice. The Site will
not be credited with the portion of the wastewater capacity not paid (for future SAC
Determinations), but will receive Credit for actual SAC paid (including partial units). No
Community SAC deferral payments to the Council will be refunded. Net Credits will be
available to the Community for Community-Wide Credits only if a new SAC Determination
establishes a permanent reduction of capacity demand.
4.3 Late Community Payments. If the Community makes a late SAC deferral payment to the
Council, an additional administrative charge of two percent (2%) of the unpaid balance of the SAC
Deferred Amount per month (or such higher interest rate allowable under law) will be applied.
Article 5 - Notices
5.1 Written Notices. Any notice, request, demand and other correspondence required by or made
in accordance with this Agreement shall be in writing and delivered:
To the Council: Metropolitan Council
Attn: MCES Finance Director
390 Robert Street North
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55101-1806
To the Community: The Community’s “Contract Person” identified on Page 1
At the “Community Address” identified on Page 1
5.2 Notice Delivery. Any notices or other correspondence shall be deemed to have been received:
(a) three (3) calendar days after the date on the notice if the notice is sent by U.S. Mail; or (b) the next
business day from the date on the notice if the notice is sent by facsimile or by e-mail.
Article 6 - Defaulting Liabilities
6.1 Liability. To the extent permitted or authorized by law, the Community will hold the Council
harmless and indemnify the Council against any actions, charges, claims, costs, damages, demands,
expenses, liabilities, losses and proceedings which the Council may suffer or be subject to as a result
of any default by a Business or the Community of the Community’s SAC payment obligations under
this Agreement or under applicable law. A Business’s failure to pay Local SAC shall not relieve the
Community of its obligation to pay the Community’s SAC obligations to the Council. Nothing in
this Agreement shall be interpreted as a waiver of any liability limitations or immunities granted to
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the Council and the Community by Minnesota Statutes chapter 466 or by other applicable state or
federal law.
6.2 Survival of Terms. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the validity of this
Article and the Community’s obligation to pay its SAC obligations shall survive the expiration or
termination of this Agreement.
Article 7 - Miscellaneous
7.1 Dispute Resolution. Any dispute arising under this Agreement shall be settled through
consultations between the Council’s and the Community’s representatives. If an agreement regarding
a dispute cannot be reached within thirty (30) days upon notice of a dispute from the Council or the
Community, either party is then entitled to bring such dispute before the courts of this state or take
such action as otherwise allowed by law.
7.2 Exercise of Rights. Any rights, powers and remedies granted to the Council and the Community
by this Agreement shall not preclude or limit any other rights, powers and remedies available to the
Council or the Community in accordance with law and other provisions of this Agreement. The
exercise of any rights, powers and remedies by the Council or the Community shall not preclude the
Council or the Community from exercising any other rights, powers and remedies available to the
Council or the Community. No failure or delay by the Council or the Community to exercise any of
their respective rights, powers and remedies under this Agreement or in accordance with applicable
laws shall be construed as a waiver of such rights, powers, and remedies. The waiver of any right,
power or remedy, in whole or in part, shall not preclude the Council or the Community from
exercising any of their other respective rights, powers or remedies.
7.3 Severability of Provisions. Each provision in this Agreement shall be severable from and
independent of the other provisions. If one or more provisions are held to be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement
shall not be affected and shall remain in force and effect.
7.4 Amendments and modifications. Any amendments or modifications to this Agreement shall
be in writing and shall become effective only upon execution of the amendment by the Council’s and
the Community’s authorized representatives.
7.5 Assignment. The Community shall not assign any of its rights or obligations under this
Agreement to any third party, even if the Site which was the subject of the SAC liability is removed
from the jurisdiction of the Community. The Community may not barter, trade, sell or otherwise treat
any SAC payment obligation deferments or SAC Credits as a commodity and the Council will not
honor any agreements between the Community and any third parties that purport to barter, trade, sell
or otherwise treat any SAC payment obligation deferments or SAC Credits as a commodity.
7.6 Successors. This Agreement shall be binding on the legal successors of the Council and the
Community, whether by operation of law or otherwise.
7.7 Warranty of Legal Capacity. The individuals signing this Agreement on behalf of the
Community and the Council represent and warrant on the Community’s and the Council’s behalf
respectively that the individuals are duly authorized to execute this Agreement on the Community’s
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and the Council’s behalf respectively and that this Agreement constitutes the Community’s and the
Council’s valid, binding and enforceable agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Community and the Council have caused this Agreement to be
executed by their duly authorized representatives. This Agreement is effective on the date of final
execution by the Council.
COMMUNITY METROPOLITAN COUNCIL
By: By:
Print Name: Print Name:
Title: Title:
Date: Date:
By:
Print Name:
Title:
Date:
MASTERSACDERERRAL
Rev. 9/27/16